Just like that, as quickly as it started, the 2024 NWSL regular season comes to an end this evening. While a handful of teams will be making preparations for the upcoming postseason, Angel City FC will not be one of them, but that doesn’t mean the team shouldn’t close out the season with a win. Especially considering while they themselves have nothing to play for, they do have pride, and the opportunity to play spoiler to a Portland Thorns team in need of a win to cement their place in the playoffs.
Today, we leave it all on the pitch đź–¤
🥳 4:30 PM Watch Party at @ftbl_boutique
âš˝ 7:00 PM KickoffTune in
đź“ş @SportsonPrime (USA)
🌍 NWSL+ (INT’L)
📻 @iHeartRadio (ENG)#Volemos | #NWSL | #PORvLA | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/9R6MdMNbzJ— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) November 1, 2024
Ending on a high note
It’s fair to say this season hasn’t gone how anyone had hoped it would. When you consider the steps made at the end of last season to see the team’s first-ever playoff appearance, there was a sense coming into this year we would see more of that and then some. Alas, it hasn’t gone to plan and while there will be time to lament and pontificate on what went wrong, the focus for tonight should be on ending the season the best way possible, with three points on the road.
Overall, there is nothing separating these two clubs with the head-to-head sitting at 3-3-3 (W-D-L) as the two sides head into the tenth meeting. More poetically, it was Angel City’s 5-1 win over Thorns at the end of last season that send the Los Angeles side into the playoffs for the first time in club history. Now, its the Thorns needing a win and Angel City able to play spoiler with what would be a bit of an upset win on the road. Its been a stretch of shared points for Angel City as they have drawn in three of their last five matches, with one win and one loss to go with it. While the win will be the goal, this should also be a more free match in terms of lineup and tactics. More Christen Press, more of the youth, more of a glimpse into what is a more successful future for the club.
Playing spoiler
As mentioned, Portland Thorns are coming into this match needing the result. A point will see them safely in to the playoffs while a win ensures they avoid having to play Orlando Pride in the first round. A new bit of tradition can be written this evening if Angel City can once again change the outcome of who makes the postseason with a win over Portland. Thorns went from sitting pretty near the top of the standings just a month ago, now they find themselves in a real fight and its down to their recent drop in form. In their last five matches, Portland have won just one with three losses and a draw. Pulling back even further, Thorns have won just twice in their last 11 matches, with the single draw. That is eight of the last 11 ending in loss. Tonight, Angel City looks to make it nine of 12, with hopes of pushing pause on postseason celebrations in Portland.
How To Watch
Tonight’s kickoff is set for 7:00pm PT from Providence Park in Portland, Or. The match will be broadcast live and can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video for those in the US and NWSL+ for International fans. Those looking for a radio broadcast can find the match on iHeart Radio for English, and Tu Liga Radio 1330AM for the Spanish broadcast.
Thoughts ahead of the season finale? Leave a comment below!