As expected, the NWSL playoff race has been nothing short of chaotic. With the teams below the line catching fire, and several teams above it starting to slip, this has turned into far more than just a few teams fighting it out. This is officially an all-out brawl for what will likely be the last two, if not three, playoff spots. Just seven matches remain, with a couple of tough tests ahead for Angel City.
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Sound off in chat if you’re ready for Matchday!!! 🎉 #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/rK7QURDba3— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) September 14, 2024
Winning is the only result
It definitely feels harsh, but a draw is a failure this evening for Angel City FC. The next two matches after today will be against the sixth placed Portland Thorns who might be in the middle of some awful form, but is still the type of opponent like Seattle where, no matter how bad, expect them to play LA tough. Followed up by a visit from one of the best teams in the league, Washington Spirit. That makes tonight’s match against a Racing team that is sitting in 11th, even more important. This is one of those matches you want to take advantage of. The type of match you score fast and often in, and try to coast it out in the second half. Now, the chances of that are slim given Angel City have yet to be the team to just drown opponents in goals, but that’s the energy they need to be on.
In the previous five meetings, Racing have only come away victorious once, with two draws and two losses to LA. Their last meeting was a goal fest that ended in a 3-2 win at home for Angel City, a result they desperately need to repeat tonight. The team sit just four points off the playoff line, but with how the teams above them have been playing, they cannot afford to lose too much ground by sharing points in draws.
Shake-off Seattle, move with confidence
The last match was, an adventure, to say the least. A lot of questionable moments from the referee left a pretty bad taste in the mouths of Los Angeles in their 3-2 defeat. However, the team can’t dwell on that. The best response from a night like that, is to come out on the road, and handle business against Racing Louisville. RLV come into this match having lost their last two matches, having won just one in their last five. They have been struggling in front of goal, getting just seven shots on goal combined, in their last two matches. While Angel City might not be the most clinical in front of goal, they have been vastly improved since their return to NWSL action post Olympics. Not to mention, players like Messiah Bright and Kennedy Fuller, who have been getting more and more minutes of late, are continuing to build their confidence and settle into their roles within the team.
The biggest key for Angel City today will be defense. Again, Racing aren’t the most clinical in front of goal. Limiting their chances and keeping clear of those flukey moments that we tend to see in soccer, will go a long way in getting three points. Solid defense has also been a gateway to counter attacks for Angel City lately, so perhaps the plan should be stifle their attack, go on the break, and smash one in late into the halves, come away with the three points.
How To Watch
Kickoff for tonight is set for 4:30pm PT from Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Ky. The match will be broadcast live and can streamed on ION in the USA, as well as 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 on the match tonight? Leave a comment below!