It’s a short turnaround for Angel City FC this week, and not at all an easy one. Though no match in this league at the moment is an easy one, going up against two of the NWSL’s top teams in the span of five days is especially tough, even if you are at home. After keeping tradition alive with a 2-1 win at home over the NC Courage this past Sunday, the team are back on the pitch at BMO taking on the best in the league, KC Current. This will be the second time in a month these two faced off, with the Current kicking off the road trip for Angel City right at the end of March. While undoubtedly a tough matchup, the team have looked better as of late compared to when these two first met, and are coming off two wins, so if there were any time to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the season, now would be that time.
A Friday night party with the besties!
🗓️ 4/26
🆚 KC Current
📍 BMO Stadium
🪩 4:30 PM Street Fair
⚽ 7 PM Kickoff
Tune in:
📺 Prime Video
📺 NWSL+ (INT’L)
📻 @iHeartRadio (ENG)
📻 KFWB 980 AM (SPA)https://t.co/e9tOGl7OXM#Volemos | #NWSL | #LAvKC | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/3wsrJuBzfF— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) April 25, 2024
Keep it simple
Let’s get the obvious out of the way, KC Current are a really, really good football team this season. They are one of three unbeaten teams remaining, but unlike the other two, Current have more wins than draws having won four of their first five outings. One of those five was a month ago against this very same Angel City squad, where they won a 4-2 thriller at home. Now, the Current come to Los Angeles facing a similar obstacle to the Courage before them, winning in a place they haven’t yet won. In fact, while this season has KC looking like a juggernaut, their win weeks ago was the very first win over Los Angeles, Angel City holds the head-to-head advantage 3-1-1. The 4-2 win for KC was also the largest margin finish between these two, who typically see matches end with just a goal difference.
Now, with the history lesson out of the way, lets focus on 2024, and tonight. Having already beat two teams many thought this team wouldn’t find results against, they have a chance to send the biggest statement yet with a win at home, over top side KC Current. It wont be easy, but even with KC starting off the season about as hot as you can, they only sit just one point clear at the top and merely six points clear of Angel City. That is to say, they aren’t the unbeatable juggernaut just yet, and even looking their worst, on the road, the team were just two goals off a result against a team that seemingly scores for fun.
Boring, but effective
Normally, we tell you all about the importance of that first goal, and how it sets the tone, and how the team should always go all out in making sure they are the ones opening up scoring. While that is most definitely the case again tonight, the team would also do well to practice caution. KC are a team that are excellent at scoring early and often. In all but one match, the 2-1 win over San Diego Wave, the Current have scored a goal in the first 20 minutes of their matches. The last time LA saw them, they conceded in just six minutes. Defensively, this team is solid. In all but one match, the 4-2 loss to this KC side, the team has not allowed more than a single goal to their opponents, as their biggest issue this season has been finding the back of the net.
That said, it might be wise for Angel City to be a little more defensive to open up the match. Do what they can to absorb the pressure KC will undoubtedly come out with early, while looking to sneak one in on the counter. This isn’t to say the team should drop a low block and park it for the match, but to say that perhaps this match they try to hit KC with the rope-a-dope. Let them use up a massive burst of energy trying to quiet down the crowd, while taking the opportunities presented until going forward with a burst of your own near the end of the half to close out strong and possibly take the lead into the break. However they play it, the biggest key to this match will be doing what has been hard for any team facing KC this year, keeping them out of goal.
How To Watch
Tonight’s match against the KC Current is set for a 7:00pm PT kickoff time from BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Ca. The match will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video for fans in the US, and over on NWSL+ for International fans. There will also be an English-language radio broadcast over on iHeart Radio.
Thoughts on the match? Leave a comment below!