Los Angeles hosted the first match in the SoCal Rivalry dubbed the Chanclasico between Angel City FC and the San Diego Wave. Banc of California stadium was ignited by the sold out crowd of 22,000 spectators. ACFC drew the first strike, with Angel City captain and defender Ali Riley scoring in the 9th minute. The ball driven up by forward Sydney Leroux, who received her first start with the LA team, drove the ball down the final third, the fans intensity growing every time she touched the ball, Leroux passed to forward Jun Endo who navigated through the Wave’s final defenders to assist Riley. Riley sent the shot flying under goalkeeper Carly Telford. This marked a milestone for the captain as the first ever NWSL career goal for the veteran player.
The Wave had their best opportunity to equalize during the first half with a free kick awarded in the 45th minute. Unfortunately for the San Diego team, midfielder Kelsey Turnbow’s shot ricocheted off the crossbar. The second half saw many substitutions for both teams. Claire Emslie, a forward acquired from the Orlando Pride for ACFC’s expansion draft came in at the start of the half. Emslie quickly demonstrated the power and trajectory fresh legs can bring to the pitch, immediately connecting with Leroux, scoring in the 52nd. Leroux was declared offside and both sides of the stadium erupted with equal cheers and disappointment.
San Diego, determined to find an equalizer, subbed in Katie Johnson who, making quick work of the pitch, found midfielder Kristen McNabb running down the right side, McNabb leveled the playing field with a left-footed shot at the far post. The Wave then sent in Amirah Ali, an incredibly intense and fast forward who put quick pressure on ACFC goalkeeper DiDi Haračić. In an effort to hold off the driving Ali, Tyler Lussi was awarded her second yellow card at the 79th minute, in a controversial call that sent her from the pitch. Angel City was forced to hold off the Wave’s attack with ten players for the remainder of the match. Coach Freya Coombe, “A big thing was the change that we made when we lost Tyler. The players know how to react and change the shape. Everyone is really bought in and everyone’s on the same train looking to go in the same direction. That’s really important for a group, especially as an expansion team, to grow and to keep getting better and to keep getting that consistency.”
Both teams traded opportunities and shots on target in an effort to not end in a 1-1 draw. ACFC midfielder Cari Roccaro sent a cross that passed Leroux in the center of the box, Leroux drew the attention of San Diego’s defenders, as the ball skimmed to the wide open Emslie who sent it to the far post and past the goalkeeper in the 81st. This marked Angel City’s first goal in the North End of their home stadium.
Angel City FC was able to sustain the one goal lead for the remainder of the game, ending San Diego’s five game point gaining streak and concluding with a 2-1 score. Ali Riley, “I think this rivalry will set new standards and push the league further…I think we are showing that there is an audience, there’s a market for this. Invest in us. Look at all the people that care about women’s soccer, not just in Southern California, but I’m pretty happy it happened here and we got the win tonight.” The rivalry between teams has heated up with The Wave looking to reclaim victory when the two teams meet in San Diego on September 17th, at the new SnapDragon Stadium.
Written by Haley Becerra
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