Angel City FC remained on the road for NWSL Challenge Cup action, taking on the Portland Thorns. While the main focus for Los Angeles is the regular season, this match still provided an opportunity for the visitors to find that much needed consistency that has alluded them to start 2023.
Here is your ACFC starting XI!#AngelCityFC | #NWSL | #UKGChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/CBLojdxIKy
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) June 1, 2023
Angel City has done well this season to start off most matches really well. They limit opportunities, they create chances of their own, and they look like the team many feel they could be. However, they tend to let the opposition find answers a bit too easily, and unfortunately tonight was no different. After starting off well, the Thorns were able to break down the visitors for the lead in the 23rd minute. An excellent long ball found Michele Vasconcelos who got her head on it, sending the ball past the keeper for the goal.
Portland bouncing into the lead like: pic.twitter.com/oLXUEVwVs8
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 1, 2023
Portland doubled their lead immediately after the halftime break, with a great set-piece in the 46th minute. A free kick outside the box was put in nicely. Thorns’ Izzy D’Aquila was there, to put just enough on it for the goal, pushing her side’s lead to two goals.
Just tap it in 😳 pic.twitter.com/CDVRg1iyqS
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 1, 2023
Massive credit to Angel City who, for the first time this season, did not let the deficit take them out of the match mentally. They kept fighting and in the 61st minute Clarisse Le Bihan put on a super strike to cut the deficit in half.
What a STRIKE from Le Bihan! pic.twitter.com/2tmXkyRKgp
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 1, 2023
The hard work continued, with Alyssa Thompson earning a penalty kick after being fouled in the box just minutes after ACFC’s first goal. Claire Emslie stepped up to the spot for the visitors, and with ease she sent the goalkeeper one way, while sending the ball the opposite direction, giving Los Angeles the second goal, and equalizer. It was once again game on for all the points.
That’s a PRETTY PK! pic.twitter.com/klZwqFLGX1
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 1, 2023
The Thorns flexed that championship mentality late in the match, securing a winner late and breaking the hearts of Angel City once again. This time it was Morgan Weaver who flicked on the pass with her version of a scorpion kick. The goal was the final action of the match, giving the Thorns the win at home, and sending Angel City home once again on the wrong end of a moment of brilliance.
We are simply in awe, Morgan Weaver 😮 pic.twitter.com/pAZaPOe706
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 1, 2023
Angel City will be back at home for their next match, June 5th, when they host the Chicago Red Stars. The anticipation continues to build for the return of Sydney Leroux, who was once again a spectator from the bench this evening.
Thoughts on the match? Leave a comment below!