LOS ANGELES, CA (August 23, 2026) - Buoyed by a saved penalty by goalkeeper Angelina Anderson, Angel City Football Club (ACFC) extended its unbeaten streak to four matches with a scoreless draw against Gotham FC Sunday night at BMO Stadium.
It was Angel City’s fourth consecutive draw as the club maintains momentum in its push for the playoffs.
“We are difficult to beat [right now],” said Interim Head Coach Leif Smerud, adding, “We will win games, I’m sure, if we keep performing and keep playing.”
Gotham was awarded a penalty in the 86th minute after a video review found that ACFC had committed a hand ball offense in the penalty box.
But Anderson denied Gotham forward Guro Reiten on the ensuing attempt, diving to her right to make a one-handed stop and drawing a roar from the crowd.
It was Anderson’s second saved penalty of the season and helped the netminder secure her sixth clean sheet of 2026.
“The biggest thing for me is that locking-in piece,” Anderson said. “In those moments, my mentality and mindset is so strong and confident. It's almost like… I will save this no matter what.”
“I’ve made a lot of changes [this season], and it really seems like it’s paying off for me,” Anderson added.
Anderson’s penalty save was one of several stellar defensive plays by Angel City in the second half.
Defender Sarah Gorden made a diving tackle on Gotham forward Sam Kerr in the 52nd minute, denying a golden scoring opportunity as the Australian striker one-timed a shot from just outside ACFC’s six-yard box.
“She’s been really, really good for a long time,” said Smerud of Gorden. “She's been consistent at a very high level, and today she was impressive again.”
Anderson also denied Kerr in the 58th minute, diving to her right and getting her hand down to stifle a low, driven shot.
Anderson made another outstanding save in the 72nd minute, diving to her left to palm away a dipping shot from forward Jordynn Dudley.
“I’m impressed by Angelina and her process of working,” Smerud said. “The mental game is really important, and that’s where she’s done a really good job.”
The first half was primarily a defensive battle, but Angel City held the edge in offensive opportunities. ACFC led Gotham in shots on target (2-1) as well as total shots (8-4) in the opening 45 minutes.
Defender Gisele Thompson had the first chance of the half for Angel City, firing a right-footed shot that drew a diving save from Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger in the seventh minute.
In the 21st minute, forward Prisca Chilufya set up midfielder Ally Sentnor with a cross from the right side, but Sentnor’s attempt floated just over the crossbar.
“The only thing I'm focused on now is getting goals, because everything else, I feel like I’m doing just fine,” Chilufya said. “So for me, my focus is just to cause more problems.”
Defender Savy King played in her second consecutive match as she continues to build her form after returning from a foot injury. When King took the pitch at right back in the 68th minute, Thompson pushed up to a midfield position, showcasing a new look for the ACFC attack.
“We have looked forward to getting more players back. It increases competition in training, and competition for the starting 11, which is a good thing,” Smerud said. “So we have some versatile players that can play several positions, and then it’s about trying to put the puzzle together in the best possible way.”
Angel City will return to action on the road this Wednesday, when the club travels to North Carolina to face the Courage at 5 p.m Pacific Time at First Horizon Stadium. The match will be televised on CBS Sports.