It was back to the road for Angel City FC this weekend, as they went up against the Washington Spirit. In the second meeting in just a month, LA was looking for some get back after a heartbreaking, and controversial, loss at home to this very side. With a returning Sydney Leroux, Angel City were feeling a little bit better about their chances this time around, despite the rough month they have had.
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🌍 https://t.co/OWYaatCbf4 (INT’L)#Volemos | #NWSL | #WASvLA | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/2ZoicAQdOQ— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) June 10, 2023
Angel City had, arguably, their best 15 minutes of the season to start this match taking it right to the home side. In that span ACFC tallied up four shots, with two on target, while limiting the Spirit to zero efforts. It didn’t take long before the home side started finding their shots, and it wasn’t long before they eventually took the lead.
In the 33rd minute, Ashley Hatch was right where she needed to be in order to get the second chance at a shot already stopped, and she took advantage. Despite the effort from Haracic to keep the original attempt out, Hatch was able to get her head on the follow-up for the lead.
.@ash_hatch33 puts the hosts in front in the opening half after VAR review confirmed the goal! 👊 pic.twitter.com/xPT0dOHylT
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 10, 2023
Minutes later another excellent attack from the home side doubled their lead before the half. Trinity Rodman was on the service, putting in a beautiful cross into the box for a leaping Ashley Sanchez who scored via fadeaway header. In a span of ten minutes the excellent start from Angel City, was wiped away.
Ashley Hatch ⚽️
Ashley Sanchez ⚽️@WashSpirit are two up at Audi Field! pic.twitter.com/ggSGxkh6gE— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 10, 2023
Angel City FC got a glimmer of hope right before the half, after an excellent goal from defender, MA Vignola. The former Volunteer was able to find a ton of open space in the box, where forward Claire Emslie found her waiting. Vignola sent the ball towards goal on a rocket, and it screamed past to cut the deficit in half right before the halftime break.
.@MAVignola with an INCREDIBLE first goal to pull one back for @weareangelcity! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/XzKtQvV52n
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 10, 2023
The back-and-forth continued in the second half, with neither side able to find a breakthrough after 15 minutes. The Spirit did well to keep the pressure on LA, but Angel City kept their attack sharp with build-ups of their own. The onus was on the visitors to up the urgency, as they were the ones down heading into the final stretch of the match.
.@sydneyleroux tests @nbarnhart late on as @weareangelcity pushes for a late equalizer! pic.twitter.com/2G4q0zK3P0
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 11, 2023
Despite finding a few more looks at the goal, Angel City FC was unable to find the equalizer needed to come away with a point. Once again, LA played an incredibly solid match for all but ten minutes, where they suffered the consequences, allowing two goals. This marks four straight losses for Angel City, and it only gets tougher next weekend. The team will be closer to home, but on the road in San Diego, taking on budding rivals and league-leaders, San Diego Wave.
Thoughts on the match? Leave a comment below!