The turnaround is nearly complete. To be fair, regardless of how the season ends, this has already been a turnaround for the ages with Interim Head Coach Becki Tweed at the helm. Angel City FC are on the road to take on Chicago Red Stars, with a huge opportunity. With results around the league this weekend, a win this evening will see Angel City put themselves into the final playoff spot with just a few matches left, and destiny in their hands.
Matchday in the Windy City!
⚽ Kickoff at 3:00 PM PSTTune in:
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📺 CBS Sports (Local)
📻 @iHeartRadio Angel City FC (ENG)
🌏 https://t.co/OWYaatCbf4 (INT’L)#Volemos | #NWSL | #CHIvLA | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/NAWn3nD0CU— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) September 17, 2023
Surely, some fans were a bit nervous with the release of the Starting XI, seeing some rotation and some key players getting rest. However, in the midst of an unbeaten run that is seeing double-digits, it’s no surprise players need a bit of a respite. If this team is going to go on a postseason run, they will need everyone, not just the same core XI.
The starting squad put together a perfect first half. Or at least, one that executed the presumed gameplan to perfection. While the home side Red Stars kept most of the possession, it was Angel City who put together more shots on goal (7), with five finding the target. Most crucially, ACFC snagged the lead late in the first half. A short corner kick worked out well, with some precise passing. Naeher saved the initial headed effort at goal, but Captain Ali Riley was there to knock it in on the follow-up.
Riley knocks in the rebound and @weareangelcity take the lead! pic.twitter.com/jAlBXZBe2O
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 17, 2023
After a trip to the monitor for VAR, it was confirmed Los Angeles had taken the lead, and put themselves, for now, into the playoff picture. Angel City did well to not only see out the first half lead, but nearly doubled it as they continued to control the half. With the lead going into break, it was even more important the team remained focused, hopefully looking to add on some more goals before the final whistle.
As expected, Red Stars came out the second half with one thing on their minds: equalizing. They nearly came close in the 65th minute, but a huge effort from goalkeeper DiDi Haracic kept ACFC in the lead. However, Chicago had a gaggle of subs to make, they did, and it didn’t take long for them to make a difference. Just minutes after that save, Red Stars got another look at goal, and this time Ava Cook put it past the line for the equalizer. Cook had a brace in the Red Stars’ win in the previous match, and this time she possibly saved a point for her side.
Ava Cook does it again for @chicagoredstars! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/3Y0nGkEk88
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 17, 2023
Four minutes. That’s all it took for Angel City to respond. The team had some great passing in a build-up that started from the goalkeeper spot, and ended with Claire Emslie finding Jun Endo in the box to snatch the lead right back, as they continue to fight for their postseason place.
Well that didn’t take long 🤯
Endo and @weareangelcity strike right back to retake the lead! pic.twitter.com/ZWNVTn2UbD
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 17, 2023
It wasn’t long after re-taking the lead, that Chicago re-equalized the match. With plenty of time left, the goals were flowing in a matchup where both sides were refusing to go out without at least a point. The 75th minute equalizer came after Angel City gave up way too much space to the attack, and closed down just a bit too late as Matthews found enough for the look, and the goal.
…and just like that @chicagoredstars are level again!
This game rn 😳 pic.twitter.com/n4BS5tEPgA
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 17, 2023
The final minutes were as tense as you would expect. Air leaving the stands with each side taking their last opportunities to find a winner. Chicago were able to really find some looks late, as they piled on the corners and set pieces in threatening positions. In the end, the teams split the points and went home with one each. While not the best result for LA, it was a deserved one on the day. Considering the rotation within the squad, it went as well as it could for Angel City. Now, the team sit just one point from the final playoff spot, with three matches left. While Orlando Pride do hold the goal differential tie-break, Angel City’s next match is at home, on October 2nd, against the aforementioned Pride. They might need some help, but for the most part, this team still hold destiny in their hands.
Thoughts on the draw? Leave a comment below!