The Historic Game Recap: 5-1 Angel City FC v Portland Thorns FC
October 15, 2023 BMO Stadium Los Angeles, California
For the first time since the club’s inaugural season in 2022, Angel City Football Club is heading into the National Women’s Soccer League playoffs after a win that moved Angel City up from eighth to fifth place. It managed to be included in the top six teams that will play for the coveted National Women’s Soccer League Championship trophy. The game included the most one-sided result in the franchise’s history and arguably the most dominant performance the team has had all season.
Summary of Angel City FC 23-24 season
The season started off rocky for the newly playoff-qualified team as they suffered from a 2-6-2 record under former coach Freya Coombe who was fired in June. Under the guidance of interim coach Becki Tweed, Angel City embarked on a late-season comeback which led them to lose only one game in 11 regular-season matches. Bringing their overall record to 8-7-7, the Angels earned 5th place on the table with 31 points.
For the past 11 games, ACFC has fought hard knowing that each match was essential to closing the point gaps and bringing them closer to a playoff spot. The consistency has not gone unnoticed by fans as the team has climbed their way up the league table and shown improvement in every aspect of their game.
Angel City is no stranger to showing up and showing out as the team boasted the highest attendance in the NWSL last season. This year has seen similar numbers bringing an average of 19,690 fans per game, the second-highest average behind the San Diego Wave FC.
Preview of Angel City vs OL Reign Playoffs Quarter Final
This Friday, October 15, at 7:00 p.m. Pacific, Angel City is traveling to Seattle, Washington to face the OL Reign in the NWSL Playoffs Quarter Final.
The last time the two teams faced off it was Angel City that came out victorious with a 2-1 win. The match featured goals from Clarisse Le Bihan and Madison Hammond in the 13th and 57th minutes while Megan Rapinoe put OL Reign on the board with a penalty shot in the 74th minute.
This time around it will be up to Angel City to continue the momentum they’ve been building during the second half of the season.
The OL Reign has been able to adapt to opponents in ways that few NWSL teams have. They often play in a 4-2-3-1 shape and use mid-block defending and high pressing against opponents. Meagan Rapinoe is the usual conductor for attack flows on the wing while forward Jordan Huitema continues to be a league leader in blocks, tackles, and clearances. Meanwhile, Bethany Balcer continues to lead in goals. Defensively OL Reign will most likely stick with what’s been working for them: center back Alana Cook, Emily Sonnet, Lauren Barnes and Quinn.’
They should also consider utilizing rookie star center back Shae Holmes who didn’t play against Chicago last match but was named to the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup All-Tournament Team and has landed 100% of tackles, registered eight blocks and connected 225 passes in seven matches.
Laura Havery’s side is considered to have one of the best defenses in the league so Angel City will need to maintain a strong attacking front utilizing power forwards Sydney Leroux and Claire Emslie while keeping the midfield and defense locked in with Savannah McCaskill, Sarah Gorden and M.A Vignola. Much like OL Reign, ACFC is expected to use the 4-2-3-1 formation throughout the game. In addition, GK Angelina Anderson will need to continue to serve as a wall blocking shots and conceding the least amount of goals possible, just like she did against the Portland Thorns. Keeping the momentum of the season going, ACFC must continue to push the same amount, if not more, of energy and keep possession of the ball.
The winner of Friday’s match will face up against the San Diego Wave on November 5th for the NWSL Semifinals matches.
Players to keep a lookout for as AFCF heads into the quarterfinals
Angel City’s roster features ten players who played for the at the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup, four of whom represented the United States National Women’s Team. Although the starting lineup for Friday’s match hasn’t been released yet, here are some players to keep an eye out for as the team works to come home victorious.
Alyssa Thompson: The 18-year-old midfielder is currently the team’s lead goal scorer having scored 4 goals this season along with 1 assist. Having assisted with Jun Endo’s goal in the 80th minute against the Thorns on Sunday, she’s shown she has all the components of a star.
Thompson’s skills have also led her to become the second NWSL player to sign a $1 million contract. Alyssa Thompson has also recently been selected to join the USWNT’s roster for friendlies against Colombia next week on October 26th and 29th.
Savannah McCaskill: While the superstar is set to become a free agent at the end of this season, she has begun to define the young club with her passion, grit, and ability to execute passes and drives as a fundamental midfielder. With four goals and three assists, McCaskill is a regular starter and has shown she can benefit the club whenever and wherever she steps onto the pitch.
M.A. Vingola: Much can be said about the full-back who made an impact on the field in each of the 1198 minutes she’s played this season. In her second season, she started 15 of the 18 games she played, making three goals and completing 303 successful passes proving to be arguably one of the best defenders in the league right now. She will be joining Thompson on the USWNT in a friendly against Colombia later this month.
Jun Endo: A forward for Angel City and the Japanese Women’s National Football Team, Jun Endo has started 10 of the 17 games she’s played in this season. She’s made three goals from inside the box, has two assists, and has made 255 successful passes so far.
Join the Celebrations
As preparation for the first game of playoffs is underway, Angel City FC will be hosting two watch parties on Friday, Oct. 20th for fans to show their support for the team as they face OL Reign in Seattle, Washington. Both watch parties will begin at 6 pm while kickoff for the match is scheduled for 7 pm. The watch parties will be held at 33 Taps Silver Lake at 3725 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 and 33 Taps Culver City at 9739 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232. Both locations are family and pet-friendly and while it isn’t required to RSVP, you can do so HERE.
If you’re attending the match make sure to join ACFC’s night-before party and the Pre-Game Meetup. The Night-before Party will be hosted on Thursday, October 19th from 7-10 pm at Steelheads Alley and the Pre-Game Meetup will be at the Victory Hall Beer Garden on Friday from 3:30-5:30 pm. You can sign up for both events HERE. Check out Angel City’s website for more information.
If you can’t make the watch parties and won’t be at Lumen Field in Seattle, you can still witness the excitement of the match as the game will be broadcast in the US on Paramount + and streamed internationally at NWSLSoccer.com.