Despite just its second loss under interim coach Leif Smerud, Angel City Football Club remains in the fight for a NWSL playoff spot.
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To assist its case, it would be wise for Angel City to start stacking wins, instead of draws. Wednesday’s 2-0 loss against the North Carolina Courage snapped a string of four consecutive draws for Angel City.
Angel City entered the week in a three-way tie at 26 points, just two behind the Seattle Reign, the current holders of the eighth and final playoff spot. Angel City’s last win came July 18.
The trip continues Monday with a stop in Massachusetts to face expansion team Boston Legacy FC. Boston is in 15th place with just 20 points. Boston has allowed 34 goals, which should give Angel City confidence to put multiple goals on the board.
The return of Sveindis Jónsdóttir from an ankle injury should help. Jónsdóttir returned against the Courage, coming on in the 61st minute. Jónsdóttir is tied for the team lead with six goals.
“She (Jónsdóttir) is a very important player for us, so it’s good to have her back,” Smerud said after the loss to the Courage. “She’s been out a few weeks, so she also needs a bit of time to get back into tempo. It was good that we could bring her on today, and she will be even more ready to play on Monday.”
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Jónsdóttir was credited with four shots in just 30 minutes of action.
Since the NWSL restart in July, Angel City has been stingy in allowing goals. Before Wednesday, Angel City had allowed just six goals in eight games. Heading into Monday, the total is now eight goals in nine games.
“It looked like we were a step behind, but I’m proud of my team because we left everything we had on the field,” defender and captain Sarah Gorden said after Wednesday’s game. “My teammates and I gave it everything we had … . We fell short, but we are more than ready to take the next few days to recover, review the film, and get ready for the next game. We’re gonna be ready for that.”
Angel City’s trip continues after the game with a visit to Racing Louisville, set for Sept. 5.
PHAIR MOVED TO FEYENOORD
Earlier this month, Angel City transferred forward Casey Phair to Dutch side Feyenoord Rotterdam for an undisclosed fee. Phair joined the Galaxy in January 2024, via the U-18 Entry Mechanism and made her professional debut at 16 in the Summer Cup. Last year, Phair made her NWSL debut at 17 years and 10 months, becoming the second-youngest to make an official appearance.
Phair spent the second half of last season on loan in Sweden and return to Angel City this season. She had eight appearances, including her first NWSL start, May 20.
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ANGEL CITY FC at BOSTON LEGACY FC
When: Monday, 5 p.m.
Where: Gillette Stadium; Foxborough, Mass.
How to watch: CBSSN