Match Recap: Angel City 1, Chicago Red Stars 0 | 4.13.24

Angel City earned a 1–0 win on the road in Chicago tonight following a Red Stars own goal set up by ACFC forward Claire Emslie. The win was the team’s first of 2024, as well as the first loss for the previously undefeated home team.

Angel City dominated the first half, maintaining almost 70% possession in the first 45 and getting their first look at goal in the 14th minute. With forward Claire Emslie holding the ball up on the left wing, defender Madison Curry made an underlapping run and received a lateral pass from Emslie. She took it to the endline and lofted a ball into the six-yard box, which defender Jasmyne Spencer headed on target—but Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher tipped it over the bar.

Chicago’s only real chance of the half came shortly thereafter, in the 18th minute; defender Sam Staab took a long throw into the penalty area, which forward Ally Schlegel headed to forward Penelope Hocking, who in turn headed the ball just wide.

In the 24th minute, Angel City came close again when Spencer sent a gorgeous through ball to forward Alyssa Thompson as she made a run up the right wing. Thompson dribbled a few steps and crossed the ball into the run of forward Sydney Leroux, whose diving header fell wide of the left post.

Closer still was a 32nd minute attempt by midfielder Meggie Dougherty Howard off a low cross by Emslie. Her low, driven shot took a deflection off Chicago defender Tatumn Milazzo a few yards from the goal. With Naeher diving the other direction, the ball would have rolled over the line if not for a last-minute clearance by Milazzo.

Angel City continued to dominate possession and push for goal as the game went on, finally breaking through in the 40th minute. Emslie sent a free kick into the six-yard box, ricocheting off the foot of Chicago defender Maxi Rall as she marked Angel City defender Megan Reid—who was in the right place to force the issue regardless—and rolled over the goal line to bring the score to 1–0.

The second half saw the game open up, with the home team earning their best chance to that point in the 55th minute. A long free kick by Staab fell in the center of the 18-yard box, where Schlegel jumped and connected with a well-struck header, but her attempt hit the crossbar.

Chicago had another look in the 63rd minute, again set up by Staab; this time the defender lofted a ball in the run of play into the six-yard box, where forward Jenna Bike headed it wide of the left post.

The Red Stars had a handful of other chances, including another header by Schlegel in the 74th minute which was a routine save for goalkeeper DiDi Haračić; other than that attempt, none of Chicago’s shots were on frame.

An 88th-minute effort for Angel City by midfielder Amandine Henry, a header off a corner kick by midfielder Clarisse Le Bihan, was the final chance of the game.

The game was the 175th match for Spencer, an NWSL original—she is the eighth player in league history to hit that mark.

Angel City is at home next Sunday, April 21, at 4:30 p.m. against the North Carolina Courage. Tickets are available here.