Angel City FC forward Claire Emslie looks on against the San Diego Wave FC during the second half of an NWSL match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, May 9, 2026. San Diego Wave FC won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Angel City FC defender Emily Sams, front, celebrates after scoring goal past San Diego Wave FC goalkeeper DiDi Haracic during the second half of an NWSL match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, May 9, 2026. San Diego Wave FC won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Dudinha of San Diego Wave FC celebrates scoring her team’s first goal during the NWSL match between Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC at BMO Stadium Saturday in Los Angeles. (Photo by Luiza Moraes/Getty Images)
Dudinha and her San Diego Wave FC teammates celebrate her team’s first goal during Saturday’s win over Angel City FC at BMO Stadium on May 09, 2026 in Los Angeles (Photo by Luiza Moraes/Getty Images)
Angel City FC defender Emily Sams, front, kicks the ball for a goal past San Diego Wave FC goalkeeper DiDi Haracic during the second half of an NWSL match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Saturday, May 9, 2026. San Diego Wave FC won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LOS ANGELES — Angel City Football Club coach Alex Straus said Friday that the game against San Diego Wave FC was another challenge for his young team.
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In the end, Wave FC just had a little bit more firepower to sink Angel City FC (3-4, nine points) to a fourth consecutive loss.
Mimi Van Zanten’s header in the 81st minute stood up as the winning goal to give Wave FC a 2-1 win in front of 17,169 at BMO Stadium.
Angel City entered the game unbeaten (3-0-4) in the last seven against its Southern California rivals.
Angel City tied the game at 1-1 in the 54th minute on Emily Sams’ goal.
Nearly 30 minutes later, Dudinha, who had terrorized Angel City throughout the night, sent in a cross from the left flank that Van Zanten was able to get to, ahead of Angel City defender Evelyn Shores, knocking it past goalkeeper Angelina Anderson.
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Former Angel City Becki Tweed, who joined San Diego after the 2024 season, served as the interim coach for the Wave with coach Jonas Eidevall serving a one-game suspension.
San Diego opened the scoring early in the second half as Dudinha’s shot went in off a deflection from defender Sarah Gorden in the 49th minute.
Both games last season ended in 1-1 draws between the teams. They will conclude their regular season series July 11 at Snapdragon Stadium.
Angel City will return to action Sunday on the road against the Portland Thorns. After Sunday, Angel City will still have three games remaining before the NWSL breaks for the men’s FIFA World Cup, May 20 home against Kansas City, back out on the road, May 23 against the Houston Dynamo and ending May 31 at home against North Carolina.
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