The NWSL’s foray into the wild world of Midweek Madness was a massive success last time, and here we are to do it all again. This time, there is even more to celebrate outside of unbridled chaos, and that’s Juneteenth! Angel City FC will not only host Racing Louisville this evening, they also host Juneteenth celebrations as we recognize the freedom of those enslaved. For the team, this is arguably the biggest opportunity they have had all season. Not just a chance at three points and possibly sparking a run, but a chance to put themselves in a position for the playoffs.
Back home for our Juneteenth match!
🗓️ Wed. 6/19
🆚 Racing Louisville
📍 BMO Stadium
🎟️ https://t.co/qY9ZNQG4dfTune In: https://t.co/0ZrueViHzJ
📺 @CBSSports (USA)
📺 @BallySportWest (Local)
📻 @iHeartRadio (ENG)
🌍 NWSL+ (INT’L)#Volemos | #NWSL | #LAvLOU | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/mTUKQ029e5— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) June 18, 2024
Racing into Los Angeles
Racing Louisville haven’t had a bad season. Though they do suffer from something slightly worse than just being bad, they have been mediocre. Good enough for results, but not getting enough to make them one of the better teams in the league. While only having lost three matches this season, they also have only won three, with six draws. Even worse for them, their form on the road has been pretty bad this year, but again, they do tend to do enough to sneak out the result and steal a point.
Most importantly, they come into this match sitting just three points clear of Angel City, and in the final playoff spot. This is another team with a highly touted rookie, forward Reilyn Turner, who comes into today with two goals and two assists so far this season. LA will also need to keep tabs on Racing midfielder Savannah DeMelo, who has started to break into the USWNT picture and doesn’t look like she plans to slow down anytime soon. She leads Racing with five goals, with one assist to her name as well.
Big opportunity
One of the themes the last few weeks here has been talking about not letting the season get away from the team. This is one of those moments that define a season. While a loss still wouldn’t end Angel City’s season or put them in an impossible situation, this is one of those matches that is a crossroads of sorts. Now at the midway point in the season, the push for postseason, especially in a league as fluid and close as NWSL is now, starts earlier than just the last month of the season. A win, at home, would put Angel City even on points with Racing, and into a position where they would be right in the thick of a race for one of the lower seeds in the playoffs. Sure, its hard to think about a postseason given the way the season has gone so far, but that’s what makes this match so critical.
Racing aren’t a team that has been blowing teams out of the water, making this a prime opportunity to really flex some strength at home. Not to mention the team have Sarah Gorden and MA Vignola back from injury, giving a massive boost to the defense. If ever there was a time to start turning around the season, its tonight.
How to Watch
Tonight’s match is set for 7:00pm kickoff from BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Ca. The match will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network as well as locally on Bally Sports West. It can also be streamed live on NWSL+ for International fans. There will also be an English-language radio broadcast over on iHeart Radio. As well as a Spanish-language radio broadcast on 980 La Mera Mera.