After a nice short home stand, and one more incoming after tonight, Angel City are splitting the time with a road trip to Kentucky. The team are set to take on Racing Louisville tonight in a battle of teams that are looking for an important three points as they try and get themselves over to the good side of the playoff line. For Angel City, they sit just four points off the final playoff spot, so taking all three points, while on the road tonight, would be massive.
If we send you any of these pics, just know we’re locked inđź”’#Volemos | #NWSL | #LOUvLA | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/ieckLpBBBV
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) September 14, 2024
The last time these two played, it was a wild five goal affair that saw ACFC come away with the 3-2 win. Los Angeles wasted no time in getting the goal fest started in this one either. In the 18th minute Alyssa Thompson broke through in attack, putting on a pinpoint pass that found Claire Emslie on the opposite side of the pitch, and in stride. The pass led to an effort that was struck well, but saved. However, Meggie Dougherty Howard showed why you always follow shots, as her second effort weas hit wonderfully, finding the back of the net for the early lead.
Meggie Dougherty Howard with the perfect touch on the rebound đź‘Ź pic.twitter.com/vEYFJux8xX
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 14, 2024
Nobody expected this match to finish with just a single goal, so it was no real surprise when Racing answered in the 26th minute. No real surprise about who it was either. A nice pass into the box found Bethany Balcer, who got her head on it for the equalizer. The goal marked the first for her as a member of Racing Louisville, after being traded from Seattle Reign just weeks ago.
Bethany Balcer’s first goal in @RacingLouFC purple đź’ś pic.twitter.com/PhWUCZDZch
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 15, 2024
The rest of the half was a lot of damage control and just trying not to concede a second. There were a fair amount of nervy moments as Racing looked the favorites to take the lead, but Angel City were able to hold strong and head into halftime break even at one goal each. Angel City finished the half with more possession at 57% but could get two shots on target. They started the match strong, but after conceding, seemed to retreat into more defending and less trying to regain the lead. Racing Louisville controlled a lot of the first half, especially late, so if Angel City want to leave with all three points, they would have to get back to being aggressive and find some goals, as there are definitely more goals to be had in this match.
The second half was fairly back and forth with both sides looking for a breakthrough. After a fair amount of stoppage in play for an Angel City injury, Racing Louisville found theirs behind a poor pass from goalkeeper DiDi Haracic, that found Janine Beckie. The Racing attacker then put Angel City rookie defender, Madison Curry, on skates before nutmegging and passing her by, giving her the look on goal, finishing for the lead. It was undoubtedly the roughest moment for Curry who has had a phenomenal season to start what will be an excellent professional career, but you also have to build character at times.
And now Janine Beckie’s first with @RacingLouFC đź’ś pic.twitter.com/K4GIIZjg8p
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 15, 2024
Despite a couple of really close chances late in the match, Angel City were unable to claw back and find the equalizer. The loss marks two in a row, as the team has seemed to nosedive after finding such a great run of form the last few weeks. It’s not all dire as they are still close in the playoff race, but with a tough schedule ahead to close out the season, this was a massively missed opportunity. Now, the team have more than a week to prepare for what will be a tough match against Sophia Smith and the Portland Thorns, at home next Monday.
Thoughts on the match in Louisville? Leave a comment below!