The time has finally arrived, we are back! NWSL action has returned from its over month-long Olympic break with Angel City FC set to kickoff the second half of their season on the road, against rivals San Diego Wave. By now you should know the scenario, Angel City sit just three points off the playoff line, they have 10 matches left in the regular season, and have everything to play for going forward. The question is, has the team finally shaken off the sluggish first half of the season, or will it be more of the same? If the break was anything to go by, we could be in for another late-season playoff run.
SoCal rivalry pt. 2 😤
🗓️ 8/24
🆚 San Diego Wave
📍 Snapdragon Stadium
🥳 Watch Party at Fan Girl Cafe and Distrito Catorce
⚽ 1:30 PM PST kickoff
Tune In
📺 KCal News (Local)
📺 Paramount+ (USA)
🌏 NWSL+ (INT’L)
📻 @iHeartRadio (ENG)#Volemos | #NWSL | #SDvLA | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/LSOZKNZxFN— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) August 23, 2024
A fresh start
The best thing Angel City can do, is approach today and the rest of the season as if it were the start of a new one. Sure, they are three points back, but for all intents and purposes, today is a fresh start. Everything that happened before the Olympic break doesn’t matter and should be forgotten. Now is the time to focus on the task of getting into the postseason, at the very least, finishing the season as strong as possible.
The team has been playing a lot better and far more threatening in front of goal as of late, so if they can keep that energy up they can make a real go of it. While San Diego is missing a lot of key players today with their Olympians still out, as well as several injuries, it will be the same Wave side for the most part that we saw during Summer Cup. The team that held Angel City to a scoreless draw through regulation. While San Diego are missing players, Angel City will welcome one back into NWSL action, as Christen Press will almost undoubtedly make her NWSL return this afternoon. Likely not 90 minutes fit yet we probably wont see her start, but we will see her. Now, it really matters and if ACFC are going to have a better second half, they will need to open up with a win today.
Battle on the bubble
Not only is this a rivalry match, but this is a match against a team right in step with you as they too go for a playoff spot. San Diego also sit just three points off the postseason line and with a brand new coach in Landon Donovan, they will have that typical ‘new coach energy’ we see across sports. Not to mention they are at home, where they hold a 3-2-2 record (W-L-D). In the 10 meetings previous, there is nothing separating the two sides. Both have won three matches, with this matchup ending in a draw four times with all but two meetings being decided by a single goal. Only once did we see either team score more than twice, so expect a low scoring, defensive matchup.
How To Watch
Tonight’s match is set for a 1:30pm PT kickoff, from Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, Ca. The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+. 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.
Thoughts ahead of the rivalry match? Leave a comment below!