Looking to keep the momentum rolling fresh off a win in their NWSL return, Angel City make the short trip south to San Diego, taking on rivals and NWSL leaders, San Diego Wave. With all the change happening around the club at the moment, the team could use a sense a stability and consistency, and getting a win on the road against the league’s best would go a long way in helping settle any lingering nerves or doubts. San Diego have been in great form, winning three of their last five, heading into break with a 2-0 win, then returning to action with a 2-0 win, so getting a result wont be easy for Los Angeles.
¡Ya casi es hora!
#Volemos | #NWSL | #SDvLA | #AngelCityFC
— Angel City FC (@angelcity.com) July 11, 2026 at 5:38 PM
In matches like this, we talk about the importance of not just scoring first, but if you can manage it, scoring early. Angel City heeded that advice and added a Tyson haymaker with how they came out in this match. While Straus may be gone, one aspect that has stayed has been the high press and constant pressure put on the opponent’s, tonight been no different. Los Angeles were on them early and in the 17th minute, cracked the defense for the early lead. Jun Endo put a great ball towards goal, just getting over the hands of the outstretched keeper, falling far post where Maiara Niehues, who has been a scoring machine as of late, got her head on it and nudged it over the line for the lead.
Maira Niehues risks it all to put Angel City in front!
#NWSLRivalries | @ally
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) July 11, 2026 at 6:12 PM
The team kept hunting and it wasn’t long before they were doubling their lead. In the 26th minute Sveindís Jónsdóttir put on one of her famous throw-ins from distance that found its way into the box where it deflected off a couple of heads before landing right at the feet of midfielder Ary Borges who immediately got a shot off that fired past the keeper for the second goal of the night, extending the first half lead.
Ary Borges cleans up close to goal and swipes home Angel City’s second!
#NWSLRivalries | @ally
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) July 11, 2026 at 6:21 PM
An incredibly sad moment in the first half when midfielder Jun Endo had to exit the match after an injury left her visibly distraught and in a lot of pain. The second goal would be the last we saw in the first half, with Angel City taking the two goal lead into halftime break. For the team, the fast start was massive and getting the early goals was crucial, now they have to find that balance of staying aggressive, but also holding onto the lead and seeing out the win.
The second half saw a less aggressive Angel City side, while expected, was a bit disheartening to see as the team put themselves in the position of relying on defense for the second 45. San Diego was happy to oblige the invitation to attack, almost immediately going after goal as they began to pepper the goal with hopes of chipping away at the deficit. Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson had a few outstanding saves as she got bricked up to go into wall mode. By the 80th minute Los Angeles had done a great job, behind their goalkeeper, at keeping San Diego from scoring, but we also saw the Wave set up for what was their eighth corner kick of the match. Most of those set piece opportunities coming in the second half.
Able to withstand the pressure, the final whistle blew on what was a dominant second half from the home side, but the damage was done and it wasn’t enough to salvage any result. Angel City don’t just add another win, but are back to keeping clean sheets as the defense puts on a great shift, highlighted by goalkeeper Angelina Anderson with her performance tonight. Four goals scored, zero conceded, six points, two clean sheets since returning from their June break. A quick glance shows them just one point off the playoff line, and just five points from what is a clog between fourth and seventh. That is to say, if Angel City can keep this form going, they will be in a great position going into the postseason.
Thoughts on the win on the road over San Diego Wave? Leave a comment below!