Angel City Football Club’s two-goal rally in a tie against Denver Summit last Friday kept the team within striking distance of a playoff spot.
Read more Americans value press freedom, but new surveys show support for restrictions in certain cases
The next night, however, the Seattle Reign defeated Bay FC, 2-0. The win moved the Reign four points clear of Angel City for eighth place and the NWSL’s final playoff spot. The teams square off Wednesday night at BMO Stadium.
Seattle is on 37 points, followed by ninth-place Angel City (33). The teams played to a 2-2 draw on Aug. 9 in Seattle.
The response after falling behind 3-1 early in the second half, was the positive that Angel City took from Friday’s draw.
“We have to do better in our game management,” interim coach Leif Smeurd said. “We tried to play a few passes and we missed them. So it’s nothing bigger than that, but at this level, you get punished. I’m more focused on how we responded because when this happens, in an important game like this, it’s very easy to go down 3-1 down. I’m very happy with how we responded.”
Part of that response was the insertion of Prisca Chilufya onto the field. Chilufya entered in the 62nd minute and scored in the 63rd. Her presence against a fatigued Denver back line was just what Angel City needed.
“I was going in and he (Smerud) told me, ‘You can change this game,’” Chilufya said.
Read more They are paid to bring rain. When it fails — or leads to floods — violence can follow
Chilufya had started the previous five games.
“It’s good to have someone trying to massage the defenders and then put on her (Chilufya) with the speed and power that she has,” Smerud said. “She was fresh and some of the defenders were getting tired.
“It’s a bit like a card game. You have to sort of look what cards you have and when to play them.”
IMPORTANT TRIP AHEAD
If Angel City is to make the playoffs for a second time in its five seasons, it will have to survive a crucial four-game trip. After Wednesday, Angel City will play four consecutive games on the road: Sunday at Utah, Sept. 26 at Washington, Oct. 4 at Gotham FC and Oct. 17 at Denver.
Angel City can draw from the experience of its three-game trip earlier this month, which saw the team earn six out of a possible nine points.
After Wednesday, Angel City’s next home game isn’t until Oct. 24 against Bay FC.
DOUBLE-DIGIT GOAL-SCORER
Angel City has never had a player score at least 10 goals in a season. Last year, Riley Tiernan scored eight, setting the club’s single-season record. Maiara Niehues tied that output when she scored her eighth goal of the season on Friday.
Sveindís Jónsdóttir is right behind Niehues with seven goals and Chilufya, who the team acquired late last season, has five.
Read more Body dysmorphia: Children’s doctor offers tips for recognizing early signs
SEATTLE REIGN FC at ANGEL CITY FC
When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Where: BMO Stadium
How to watch: NWSL+