The short road trip wraps up this afternoon for Angel City FC, as they make the trip to the Midwest to take on Chicago Stars. After winning their first two matches upon NWSL’s return from summer break, Los Angeles will be looking to solidify some consistency and stack more wins as they continue to build form for the push in this second half of the season.
The #AngelCityFC Starting XI for #CHIvLA.
#Volemos | #NWSL | DoorDash
— Angel City FC (@angelcity.com) July 18, 2026 at 3:01 PM
It was a warm day in Evanston, Illinois where this match was taking place, with hydration breaks in effect. From kickoff to said hydration break around the 30th minute, it was all Angel City. The visitors were peppering the goal, finding space, putting together some great passes, but much like earlier in the season, they couldn’t find what was needed to get the goal. Los Angeles came close on a few occasions early, and the inability to convert nearly cost them late in the first half. Chicago Stars had their best look of the day, putting the ball into the back of the net, but an offside call gave Angel City some relief. However, that moment along with a hefty nine minutes of stoppage time due to a Jordyn Hutiema injury, gave the Stars all the confidence they needed to apply pressure late in the half as both sides looked for the opening goal.
It was apparent both sides wanted the full three points as the second half started with a flurry of shots from both sides. In the early stages it looked like Chicago was ready to resume the dominance they had been building at the end the first half, but then Angel City woke up and put together several great build-ups that ultimately didn’t lead to anything.
What did lead to something was Angel City earning a penalty after not one, but two fouls in the box on the same sequence. In the end, it was the second foul on Ary Borges that was called for the penalty, with Maiara Niehues stepping up to the spot in the 56th minute, burying it for the lead as well marking her fifth straight match with a goal, as her incredible form continues.
5 goals in 5 games from Maiara Niehues for Angel City! 🤯
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) July 18, 2026 at 4:59 PM
After that goal, the beast was awoken and Angel City began to put a stranglehold on the match. They began to dominate possession, were keeping Chicago from getting too dangerous on counter attacks, and were starting to hunt for the second goal to try and wrap this match up before the final whistle. After several free kicks, a few close calls on corners, and a decent run of attack, it had looked like Angel City finally secured the second goal, all but sealing the win. Unfortunately, VAR exists and replay showed Prisca Chilufya offside by a toe, meaning her assist would be erased and the lead remained at one goal, giving the home side life late in the match.
Despite the push from the Stars, Angel City stayed focused on the task at hand and late in stoppage time they drove the nail through the coffin when they finally got their second goal of the match courtesy of an amazing link-up between Prisca Chilufya and Sveindís Jónsdóttir. The latter was on the end of a perfect pass from the former that went right across the front of goal, past the keeper’s outstretched arms, and onto the feet of Jónsdóttir who tapped it in for the goal, doubling their lead and sealing the win.
Angel City’s Sveindís Jónsdóttir is too smooth 😮💨
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) July 18, 2026 at 5:43 PM
The win is the third in a row since the team returned from summer break. Not only that, but it was yet another clean sheet, marking the first time in club history the team has earned three clean sheet victories in a row. Now the team sit above the playoff line as they put themselves firmly into the playoff race. The question now will be, can they keep the form not just going, but growing, and will they be able to sustain this throughout the end of the season and perhaps, into playoffs? Here’s hoping the answer to all of that is positive. For now, the team get ready to come back home for what will be a short pit stop against Racing Louisville, before another two match road trip.
Thoughts on the win on the road against Chicago Stars? Leave a comment below!