This was it. The biggest match in the short history of Angel City FC. After nearly missing out on playoffs last season, the team come into the final day of the NWSL season with a chance to punch their postseason ticket at home with a win over the Portland Thorns, and a bit of help from results elsewhere. First and foremost, the team needs the win, and getting three points off the defending NWSL champions, would be no easy feat. Especially considering with no World Cup to deal with, we would see a full strength Portland side.
Leaving it all on the pitch today 💪
Get loud in the comments ACFC fam!!#Volemos | #NWSL | #LAvPOR | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/6pvoMMk0SB— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) October 15, 2023
Portland dominated the first 15 minutes of the match. Keeping possession, peppering shots on the goal as they tested out rookie Angelina Anderson, and kept Angel City from possessing the ball in their half of the pitch. However, a non-call on a penalty seemed to wake up the home side as they finished the half better than anyone imagined. It started in the 35th minute with rising superstar, M.A. Vignola. The defender may have had an awkward angle, but it didn’t stop her from producing an absolute banger for the lead. The goal was powerful, but not as powerful as the stare down and celebration that followed.
.@MAVignola💥💥💥💥
🎥 » @NWSL pic.twitter.com/MXHEXNG9du
— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 15, 2023
The energy must have really woken up the beast because just minutes later, Angel City was doubling their lead. This time a great ball in from Claire Emslie found the leaping Scarlett Camberos who needed just one chance to head it home for the goal as she extended the lead.
Just three minutes after their first goal, Scarlett Camberos finds the back of the net and doubles @weareangelcity‘s lead vs Portland. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/RDQ7PsD3Zv
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 15, 2023
The goal sent BMO into an absolute frenzy as the results around the league meant that, as it stood going into halftime, Angel City were sitting in fifth place, giving them a spot in the postseason. Still, there was a whole second half to play, against the defending champions. This was far from over, but chances were looking really good.
If you had any nerves about the second half, Angel City did their job to quell some of those. It took all of a few seconds for the home side to get the third goal of the match courtesy of Savannah McCaskill. The midfielder finished up some gorgeous passing from her teammates with a flick that was just enough to get the ball into the back of the net.
.@weareangelcity immediately pick up where they left off with an early 2nd half goal.@smccaskill_7 makes it 3-0! pic.twitter.com/ygaJxJCkVY
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 15, 2023
Not long after that, the team found yet another goal in what was their best offensive performance of the season. This time it was Sydney Leroux throwing together a bike like a parent on Christmas morning. The angle was terrible, but the shot was pure, and it was enough to give Angel City the fourth goal as they looked better than they ever have.
.@SYDNEYLEROUX ARE YOU KIDDING?!?!
Leroux makes it 4-0 for @weareangelcity after an incredible bicycle kick goal. 😱 pic.twitter.com/cTEeJ7iYOv
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 15, 2023
Not a team to just go out quietly into the night, Portland kept fighting and in the 79th minute were able to pull one back, briefly silencing the crowd as goal differential would play a key role in getting ACFC into postseason play. The goal was scored by Hina Sugita, avoiding the shutout on the road.
Hina Sugita shows poise and composure with this clinical finish to pull the Thorns back one in the 79th minute! pic.twitter.com/OGIh35zrUj
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 15, 2023
The silence was extremely brief as Angel City wasted no time in responding. Jun Endo was able to get on the end of the ball, beat a defender, and put it away for the fifth goal of the day, and extending the lead back to four goals as time was winding down on the regular season.
Jun Endo gets in on the scoring with this near post finish. 🔥@weareangelcity lead Portland 5-1. pic.twitter.com/Nl5Q5UHfbG
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 15, 2023
2023 NWSL Decision Day was far more chaotic than anyone could have hoped for, making it perfect for NWSL. With the smoke cleared, the huge win at home was enough for Angle City to extend their season, as they reach the playoffs for the first time ever, in just their second season as a club. Sitting in fifth, the team will have to enjoy their postseason run on the road, with a chance to be close to home should they reach the NWSL Championship game taking place in San Diego, November 11th.
Thoughts on today’s win and the playoffs ahead? Leave a comment below!
1 Comment
“Congratulations to Angel City FC on their historic achievement of punching their postseason ticket for the first time ever with an impressive 5-1 victory over the Portland Thorns! 🎉⚽ It’s amazing to see the progress and success of this team. Keep up the great work, Angel City FC! 🙌 #AngelCityFC #PostseasonBound”