Angel City FC were on the road for their second group stage match in the NWSL Challenge Cup, going up against OL Reign. ACFC came into this match looking to find some rhythm in the early part of this season, and nothing helps that more than a win on the road against a team like the Reign.
Just pregame things. 🙌#AngelCityFC | #NWSL | #ChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/OtcvRKohCO
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) May 4, 2023
Angel City nearly took the lead early, coming out putting the pressure on the home side. For a brief moment in the opening minutes, ACFC were celebrating a goal that gave them the lead, however it was ruled back with Katie Johnson being ruled offside in the build-up. The Reign nearly answered themselves, with a close goal scoring opportunity that curled past Isenhour, but luckily hit the post and not the back of the net. Those opportunities in the opening ten minutes would be the most we would get in the half. OL Reign finished the half with three shots, one on target, while Angel City got off just one shot that missed the target.
Tied at the half#AngelCityFC | #NWSL | #ChalengeCup pic.twitter.com/bJJTfhJXY1
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) May 4, 2023
ACFC looked like a different team in the second half. They racked more shots, and through 75 minutes had eight shots. They still had just the one shot on target, but with the critical final minutes ahead, they were at least putting up their shots and getting some looks. Even with the renewed fire, the Reign are a team that use up every second of regulation, so the squad would need to stay focused if they wanted to get their first-ever result off OL.
The heavy legs began to set in, and the final moments played out like much of the match had, scoreless. It still wasn’t the win that Angel City, in all honesty at this point, desperately need, but at least it wasn’t another loss to the Reign. If we are being brutally honest two draws in a row, on the road, against two of the best teams in the league, is nothing to be sad about. It’s definitely a fair amount of positive to build on, now we just have to see if Angel City can build on it. The team will be back at home this Sunday, when they host KC Current. Perhaps a healthy dose of home support is what this team needs to start stringing some wins together.
How do you feel about the draw tonight? Leave a comment below!