Tonight, Angel City Football Club (ACFC) ended their match with the Chicago Red Stars in a 2-2 draw on the road following goals by ACFC defender Ali Riley and midfielder Jun Endo, as well as Chicago’s forwards Biana St-Georges and Cheyna Matthews. The draw pushed ACFC into seventh place heading into week 20 of the NWSL regular season. The team remains unbeaten in 11 consecutive matches in all competitions.
ACFC displayed a solid defensive performance to start the match, with two spectacular saves in the first 20 minutes from goalkeeper DiDi Haračić, after Chicago’s midfielder Cari Rocarro and forward Ella Stevens generated opportunities from point blank range. It was early signs of a defensive battle as ACFC also created a few set pieces with corners won, but were unable to capitalize.
It was until the 39th minute when ACFC forward Claire Emslie bombed a lob pass from outside of the upper right side of the box, giving midfielder Amandine Henry a clear header that was saved by Chicago’s goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. However, ACFC captain and defender Ali Riley was in the right place at the right time, darting the ball in the back of the net after bouncing off of Naeher’s fingertips, giving Angel City the 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
The first half ended with ACFC shining defensively with 12 tackles and 12 interceptions, keeping their hopes of jumping into sixth place of the NWSL playoff race alive with momentum on their side. In fact, ACFC has not allowed a goal in the first half in 13 of their 19 matches this season.
ACFC’s intensity was noticeable early in the second half, keeping the Red Stars from creating shots on target from the 22nd minute of the match until the 65th minute when Haračić made another key save off her right foot after a threatening shot from Chicago’s forward Bianca St-Georges. Shortly after in the 68th minute, Chicago nailed the equalizer with a goal from forward Ava Cook, after dribbling between ACFC defenders.
It did not take long for ACFC to regain the lead, after Jun Endo broke the tie in the 71st minute with an effortless shot to the back of the net after Emslie provided the perfect assist after forcing her way past defenders. Chicago responded again minutes later after forward Cheyna Matthews slipped the ball in to even the score.
In the 3rd minute of stoppage time, ACFC forward Alyssa Thompson, dribbled the ball through defenders setting up defender Madison Hammond with a precise pass directly in front of the goal that was saved by Chicago’s Naeher to seal the tie. ACFC finished the match with 9 of 13 shots on target.
ACFC plays next in two weeks, following the September FIFA international window. On Monday, October 2, they return to BMO Stadium to play the Orlando Pride at 7:00 p.m. PT. That match will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.