In Retrospect Angel City FC: Overcoming tough loss at home

Last week, Angel City FC looked primed to slay another giant at home. They had the league leaders, KC Current, on the ropes in Los Angeles as the match went into its final moments. One of the best halves of football this team has played this season by far looked like it was about to pay off in a massive way. Then, the levies broke and the Current hit more like a Tsunami in the final minutes of the match, finding the last minute winner, and adding on a third just to rub salt in the wound. It was one of those matches that left you stun locked, and having to sit with it for a while. That is exactly what we did, wrote and deleted several versions of this In Retrospect as we ourselves worked through the emotionally charged defeat at home.

💬 @RileyThree: “…being gritty and being really hardworking is something that we pride ourselves on.”#Volemos | #NWSL | #LAvkC | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/Fzzp7FYtth

— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) April 27, 2024

The Good

This isn’t hyperbole, the first half of this match was by far and away the best 45 minutes of football we have seen from this squad this season. Without digging through the weeds too much, it feels like the best overall half the team has played in close to a calendar year. First, it was incredible to see the team finally deploy the 3-4-3 formation for this one, as three at the back has been a rumored style for this team going back to year one under Freya. If first impressions are anything, this should be the way the team plays going forward. They looked energized, players looked to be not just in proper positions, but taking on responsibilities that leaned on their preferred style of play.

Statistically, this showed as ACFC led in just about every category going into the break. They had more shots than KC, more shots on target, more successful passing, more possession, more shots inside the box, and had the all-important goal lead. It was truly a magical half, seeing just how good this team is capable of being. A glimpse into what we all imagined this side would play like from match day one! Last week’s In Retrospect was bleak despite the win. We talked about the poor passing, and inability to get past midfield with just 60 passes in the opponents half throughout the whole match. They must have read what we said, or just watched film, because the first half alone was miles better than the time before.

The team finished that half with 104 successful passes in the KC half of the field, and put on a very impressive 16 touches inside the Current box. Perhaps the best moment of the night for me personally, came just before the goal. Tweed had yelled out instructions to Jasmyne Spencer, who then relayed them to the forwards. At that point we saw Claire Emslie switch sides to start attacking the right side of the KC defense, and moments later, Emslie was served a beautiful ball from Alyssa Thompson and cut through the defense for the goal and the lead. As a tactical nerd it was just so great to see that production line of coach making adjustments, players relaying the message, and it immediately working out. By the time the halftime whistle blew, it felt like we were watching the rebirth of this squad. Then, the second half came.

The Bad

There are levels to losses, though it may not seem like it. Its why you have the debate about would you rather get blown out as an underdog, or put up a valiant but losing effort? See, in a blowout, as rough as it feels, its much easier to move past. This team was vastly better on the day, it happens, you move on. Losses like this one to KC though, you don’t even have to take my word on it, just look at the reactions from the players. Several ACFC players were in literal tears after the match because of how emotional that match was for them. It wasn’t like KC came out flying in the second half and took control of the match. That, at least for me, is what really hits hard.

For the opening of the half, from around minute 45 to the 60th minute mark, a second LA goal felt inevitable. The team continued to apply pressure, they found opportunities in the box, and were surprisingly still attack-minded. Then KC took advantage of a momentary lapse in the defense, getting their equalizer. ACFC legs started looking heavier and heavier and despite conceding it still felt like a win was there to be had, with fresh legs brought in.

Unfortunately, in a situation similar to what we saw earlier in the season with substitutions, the wait was just too long. The tired legs had settled in and KC’s goal injected them with a second win that forced ACFC to defend for their lives. When the first subs checked in at the 70th minute mark, all momentum was lost, nerves were on edge, KC were in full attack mode, and going for the win was in the rearview. It was the absolute wrong time, again, leaving us wondering what could have been if say Messiah Bright was brought on closer to the 55th minute, when the team was still in control and looking deadly. Alas, it was not to be but what really hurt came in the final minutes of the match, when the defensive dam holding the high powered current back, finally broke. In a matter of moments the Current went from splitting the points, to putting two in the back of the net in just two minutes. Devastating isn’t the word for the feelings in BMO at that point.

Nuestra comunidad 🫶#SomosAngelCity pic.twitter.com/DcDQldub1l

— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) April 30, 2024

Overcoming Adversity

Grit has been the theme of the season, and while it is already starting to feel overused, its something the team will need a lot more of going forward. If we had told you going into Chicago that the team would take seven points from their next three matches, everyone would have taken that in a heartbeat with a smile on their face. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the team has continued to improve over the last few matches. Again, the first half we saw against the best team in the NWSL, was easily the best half we have seen from ACFC all season. They didn’t just look good, they looked deadly.

Again, losses have layers. If KC would’ve came into BMO, dropped seven in the first half, and left with a massive win, nobody would’ve blinked twice at it. Ask any Arsenal fan though, and they will tell you, its always the hope that kills you. Coming so close to such a huge upset, and losing it all in just two minutes at the very end of the match, is pure pain. But its important to not compound on that pain by following it up with even worse showings on the pitch.

The next two matches are critical for Angel City FC. While it feels harsh to call matches must-wins this early in a season, is it really “early” when we are going into the seventh match of a 22 game season, while teams at the top slowly begin to pull away and separate themselves? This Friday ACFC take on Utah Royals, and follow it up the week after with a match against the Houston Dash. Both teams that are bottom of the league, struggling to find one good thing about the way their seasons have gone. Angel City FC can absolutely not afford to be that thing that works out well for these squads. If this team’s latest run of form is any indication, this should be six points in the bag to start off the month of May. Yes, we are all too aware that sports are sports and in NWSL the only certain is chaos. However, if this team is going to look for anything resembling a postseason run, they need to secure three points in matches like this. More than anything, they need to make sure the heartbreak of last week’s loss, doesn’t hover over them like a dark cloud.

Thoughts on the performance vs KC and the match ahead? Leave a comment below!