After the big win over Kansas City Current at home during the midweek, Angel City are on the road in Texas to take on Houston Dash. For the second time this season Los Angeles will look to come away with the three points, giving them a perfect six over the Southwestern side in 2026. More importantly, they will be looking to put the past struggles behind them and close out the remaining matches strong before the summer break.
The #AngelCityFC Starting XI for #HOUvLA.#Volemos | #NWSL | @doordash pic.twitter.com/6q6ltiRFyX
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) May 23, 2026
It didn’t take long before we saw the first goal of the match, unfortunately it was scored by the home side. A build-up that saw several crisp, precise, pinpoint passes finished with Houston rookie midfielder Kat Rader who missed the ball completely on her first shot attempt, stayed with it, and on the second chance was able to get it over the line and into the back of the net for the lead in the 17th minute of the match.
Kat Rader commits to the run and nails it 💪
Back-to-back matches with a goal and Houston takes the lead! pic.twitter.com/COQLpTSAve
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 24, 2026
One of the best improvements this team has made, especially this season, has been their mentality. In the past, conceding this early would’ve had Angel City hanging their heads and struggling to find a way back into the match. This season however, every concession has been met with an almost immediate response and this was no different. Shortly after giving up the goal, ACFC were on the attack and knocking on the door of their equalizer and in the 25th minutes they earned a penalty after Kennedy Fuller was brought down in the box. With not a single player in the starting XI having taken a penalty kick before, it was Maiara Niehues who was given the nod this time around. She stepped it, slammed it home, and we were all level at one goal each early into the first half.
A perfectly placed penalty kick from Maiara Niehues 😮💨
Angel City levels it out in Houston! pic.twitter.com/PxOunwSjqm
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 24, 2026
The two early goals would be the only goals scored in the first half, but it was Angel City that were, slightly, in control most of the half. Angel City went into the halftime break with more possession (56%), more shots (17), and more touches in the opponent’s box (16). The goal that Houston scored was really the first time we have seen Angel City’s defense get carved up for a score all season, but the quick response settled the nerves and helped them regain control of the first 45. That said, it was also a warning shot that Houston can absolutely find ways to score, and if Los Angeles wanted the three points, it was going to take a strong second half and a goal or two more tacked onto the tally.
Houston came out for the second half deploying a very high press, a tactic they actually had a fair amount of success with against Angel City when these two first met in Los Angeles. It had Angel City a bit nervy to start with sloppy passes and miscues, but the team settled in well and by the 60th minute mark, had survived the first wave of intense pressure from the home side.
At the 75th minute mark, it remained even at one goal, with Angel City still being the more threatening side, but barely, as heavy legs clearly hit both sides. As time wound down, it looked like we would be headed for a hard fought draw between these two sides but the home side had one last surge in them. Some great one-touch football saw them once again break the defensive line of Los Angeles, sending them on the run where it was Maggie Graham who got the pass and went streaking past the defense en route to a 1v1 with Angelina Anderson and she converted the clear opportunity with a cool finish to give Dash the second, and winning, goal.
MAGGIE CLUTCH GRAHAM 🤯
Maggie Graham nails the ball into the net to put Houston on top into the 90th minute ‼️ pic.twitter.com/tFfuloALfF
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 24, 2026
The Houston win snapped a 51 day winless run for them, while serving up another heartbreaking loss for Los Angeles. Another match they will have to live with missed opportunities and small lapses leading to costly mistakes. The team have eight days to rest, recover and get ready for the last match before the long summer break where hopefully, they can fine-tune some of the issues they have at the moment.
Thoughts on the tough loss on the road? Drop us a comment below!