A trip to sunny San Diego to take on rivals, SD Wave, was on tap for Angel City FC this afternoon. After parting ways with their Head Coach, the team, led by Interim Becki Tweed, was looking at today as a fresh start. With half the season behind them, the squad had sights set on a road upset, as they aimed to build momentum for a second-half surge to the 2023 campaign.
☀️ ¡Buenos días, SoCal! ☀️
🆚 San Diego Wave
📍 Snapdragon Stadium
⚽ 1:00 PM KickoffTune in:
📺 CBS National (USA)
📻 @iHeartRadio (ENG)
🌍 https://t.co/OWYaatCbf4 (INT’L)#Volemos | #NWSL | #SDvLA | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/Gy6k2vaeoJ— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) June 17, 2023
Los Angeles looked renewed and refreshed immediately. The team nearly snatched the lead in the first minute, putting the pressure on San Diego, and they didn’t let up. The home side had their opportunities too, but goalkeeper DiDi Haračić had several incredible saves to keep them from the back of the net in the opening 45. The sides went into halftime break scoreless and even, but it was clear Angel City came for the full three points. The biggest goal for Interim Head Coach Becki Tweed was getting the team to put in a complete performance, after a solid first half, it was time to see if ACFC could finish strong.
San Diego showed why they are one of the best teams in the league early in the second half, getting on the board first. In the 56th minute, Kristen McNabb of the Wave put in one of the better goals of the season. With minimal space, from range, McNabb was able to nutmeg an Angel City defender as she smashed it past the keeper for the lead.
.@KristenMcNabb14 with a derby goal to remember! 🎯@sandiegowavefc takes the lead at Snapdragon! pic.twitter.com/keLum4htH1
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 17, 2023
In what was the biggest sign of change for the visitors, they didn’t implode after going down a score. Usually, a goal to the opposition would spell disaster for LA, but this time they gritted their teeth and kept going at San Diego and in the 69th minute, got a nice equalizer on a corner kick. The ball was placed in well by Clarisse LeBihan, and after a small bounce, found defender Paige Nielsen who smashed it in for the equalizer.
.@Paigenielsen turns one home to bring @weareangelcity level! 💪 pic.twitter.com/KfHyk9EwmL
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 17, 2023
The team kept putting the pressure on the home side, waiting for their moment to possibly snatch a win on the road, and in the final moments of the match, the opportunity presented itself. Some sloppy passing from San Diego led to a chance for Angel City, and MA Vignola seized the chance, put in the shot from close, and took the lead for her side in the 88th minute.
Did @MAVignola just win this for @weareangelcity?! 😱 pic.twitter.com/isL5vVN5pu
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 17, 2023
Despite some last ditch efforts from the Wave, Angel City FC was able to hold on by the skin of their teeth to get the win on the road. While this was just the third win for the team on the season, it was the first one immediately on the heels of parting ways with their now former head coach. This was a chance for ACFC to show not just the league, but themselves, that there was still plenty left to fight for this season. It may still be too early to say this is the start of a postseason push, but this win was one hell of a start to something special.
Thoughts on the match and the win? Leave a comment below!