After an extended break due to covid protocol; Angel City FC’s match against North Carolina Courage was postponed two weeks prior, and the Los Angeles team took to their home pitch Saturday night in yet another much anticipated West Coast match up. This time facing off against their rivals to the north, Seattle’s OL Reign. At the start of the match both teams sat in the sixth and seventh spots respectively with 17 points each.
Seattle was quick to control possession of the ball, taking several shot’s on target in the opening minutes. However, a quick turnover and shot taken by forward Claire Emslie was taped out by the Reign’s Phallon Tullis-Joyce, with Angel City’s Cari Roccaro quick to catch the deflection, scoring in the ninth minute. The midfielder’s first ever NWSL goal was an added boost to momentum for ACFC, as they have yet to defeat the Reign in the two teams prior three meetings. Angel City’s second goal of the night came in the form of a penalty kick at the 28th minute by Savannah MaCaskill. Banc of California Stadium erupted as the goal opportunity was drawn by ACFC’s Sydney Leroux off of Reign’s defender Alana Cook. Seattle countered with a strong shot on target which railed against the crossbar. DiDi Haračić looked at first to lose sight of the ball, but was quick to recover and gain control blocking another shot on target. OL Reign’s best scoring opportunity before the half came when midfielder Jess Fishlock drew a foul during stoppage time. The shot taken by Arsenal FC loan Kim Little was ultimately deflected out.
While Angel City entered the half with a 2-0 lead, OL Reign out shot by 14 to 4. The Reign entered the second half ready to dominate, with much of the second 45 being spent in the attacking position. Jess Fishlock scored in the 54th paving the way for the team’s inevitable come back. Ten minutes later at the 64th USWNT member Sophia Huerta scored to bring the game to 2-2. A corner kick from Little bounced from Haračić’s grip and cleared from the box straight to a waiting Huerta. In a moment of excitement for football fans on both sides, Tobin Health was subbed in at the 84th minute, and in just five minutes on the pitch scored the game deciding goal in a beautiful shot straight through to the center of the box off a cross from Huerta.
Ultimately, ACFC fell to OL Reign 3-2, the Reign picking up three points, putting the Seattle team into the fourth position, giving a nice cushion for playoff contention. Angel City FC hits the road to play the Orlando Pride on August 7th. OL Reign took on Racing Louisville on August 2nd which seen the two sides draw.
Written by Haley Becerra
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