Angel City Football Club (ACFC) will face Portland Thorns FC on Sunday, April 26, at 3 p.m. Pacific at BMO Stadium. The match will be televised on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.
Last Time Out: Pride Outlasts Angel City, 2-1
Angel City FC (3-1-0) scored a late goal to equalize, but ultimately fell to the Orlando Pride, 2-1, on April 3 at Inter&Co Stadium. The loss was ACFC’s first of the season after the club got off to a record-setting start.
Defender Gisele Thompson scored her second goal of the season for Angel City in stoppage time after Orlando went ahead, 1-0, in the 84th minute. But Pride midfielder Haley McCutcheon tallied her second score of the match just six minutes later, allowing Orlando to escape with the win at home.
Despite the loss, ACFC continued its trend of dominating possession, holding on to the ball for over 63 percent of the match. Captain and defender Sarah Gorden was named Player of the Match after her incredible defensive effort, shutting down NWSL shots leader Barbra Banda and leading Angel City with 65 passes completed.
Next Up: Moultrie, Turner and the Portland Thorns
Portland (3-1-1) comes to town after the international break in second place in the NWSL standings (with a match in hand). The Thorns drew against North Carolina in their last match, but have already defeated Kansas City, Seattle and Washington this season.
Midfielder Olivia Moultrie and forward Reilyn Turner have been driving the Portland offense, leading the team with three goals each. Both players made their marks on the scoresheet against the Courage on April 4 and will draw the attention of the Angel City defense this Sunday.
Also returning to BMO Stadium this Sunday will be defender M.A. Vignola, who was on the inaugural ACFC squad. She was traded to the Thorns in late 2025 as part of the transaction that brought midfielder Hina Sugita to Angel City. Vignola will have her hands full as she faces an ACFC offense that is leading the NWSL in goals scored.
Angel City has played Portland eight times in four seasons, with a 1-3-4 record overall.
In the Spotlight: Sams Off to Solid Start
One of Angel City’s key additions this offseason was defender Emily Sams. The former Orlando Pride backliner has stepped seamlessly into the ACFC lineup, starting every match as a central defender and even wearing the captain’s armband on occasion.
Sams has been an anchoring presence for Angel City. The 2024 NWSL Defender of the Year has often been called on to neutralize the opposing team’s top threat. She has also been a crucial part of Head Coach Alex Straus’s new offensive approach, leading the team in passes completed in two of ACFC’s four matches.
Sams was recently called up to the U.S. Women’s National Team camp and now returns to BMO Stadium to continue her solid start to the season.
This Week at BMO Stadium: Kids Day!
Angel City FC will celebrate Kids Day this Sunday at BMO Stadium. There will be a pre-game performance by Bob Baker Marionette Theater, a spirit station with temporary tattoos, and a height chart photo opportunity featuring a cutout of goalkeeper Angelina Anderson. The first 5,000 fans to enter the gates will receive a complimentary coloring book and crayons, sponsored by Sprouts.
Kids Day will feature a full youth takeover, including a young fan performing the national anthem, a mother-daughter duo leading the ceremonial “three clap” and a halftime baby race taking place at center pitch.
