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NWSL Angel City FC

Angel City Football Club Draws Chicago Red Stars 2-2 on the Road to Continue Unbeaten Streak

September 17, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Angel City FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL - 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. PST. That match will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

POST-MATCH QUOTES

ACFC Team Captain and Defender Ali Riley

On earning one point instead of three tonight:

"The point is important. We knew we couldn't leave here without any points. I'm really disappointed by the way we played minus those transitions that led to goals. It could have been a 3-0 or 4-0 game, but we didn't put it away. We're going to have to look at how we defended those transitions."

"After going up 2-1 with a great response to conceding the goal, how can we shift that mindset then? Looking at the players we had on the field, how to make it ugly, maybe turn them and go a little more direct to keep them away from our goal."

"It's something that I don't know if we have been really good at this season, but now is the time we need to make sure when we go up. Now at this point in the season, we have to come away with three points."

Positive takeaways after shooting nine shots out of 13 on target:

"Our wingers did a good job with the movement to get around the fullbacks and deliver the ball. We had those shots on target, but again, I'd rather have the worse stats and come away with more goals."

"It's something that we're going to look at whether it's the type of delivery, the runs in the box or the technique of the finish. The stats will show that we really should have won this game, but in the end it doesn't really matter. Of course, we'll take those positives into the next game against Orlando."

On the teams tempo in the first half:

"We took a little bit of time to actually get into the game and do what we said we were going to do. When we would lose the ball or they would lose the ball, we would give it right back to them. That's something that Chicago is good at and they have players who control the midfield, with good runners up top. We started to fix that towards the end of the half."

"Getting a goal gave us a little bit of momentum, made them feel more panicked. I have to give credit to them. When they changed up their attackers, they started to push for goals and it worked for them."

"In the first half, in particular, when we weren't getting around and getting our wingers and crossing positions. We weren't connecting them on those crosses. That's something we also have to look at, as far as if we need more runners in the box. What type of delivery do we need in order to put more chances away?"

"They threatened us too much in the first half minus the corners we gave away. For me, it was a time when we probably could have gone up more than 1-0."

ACFC Interim Head Coach Becki Tweed

Thoughts on the match:

"It's a game where it is about what you do in both boxes. We are obviously disappointed to come away with a point after being up twice. There are spaces we can learn and grow from. This is a result that although we are disappointed, we need to move forward from it and look at what is next for us."

"We are aware of what is going on with the table. We need to focus on ourselves. We are just looking at our performance and how we can move forward. We will just continue to push every week."

On the discussion at halftime:

"We talked about making sure that we would look for a second goal, be better and clean up in spaces, and be a little more committed to the game plan. That is a space where we did grow in the second half. It is about being scrappy and clinical in both boxes."

On the goals:

"A space that we have prided ourselves on this year is set pieces and for us to score another set piece goal shows that we are dominant in those spaces and we want to continue that. That is part of our identity and we will continue to work on it."

"We put a number of good balls into the box, being scrappy and taking those chances. The goals conceded, we will look at. Of course, you can always do something about them. It is an area we can learn from. We always talk about doing the ugly stuff well and that is a space that we missed tonight."

On how the team sees themselves with three games left:

"We have a real strong identity and it is just the execution. We look at it as a group. The fact that we are disappointed with a point shows who we are. We want to push for three every week."

On the break between matches:

"We are looking game to game. We have a good amount of players going on international break and shows the space that we are in. We are very proud of those players. We wish them all the luck."

On Amandine Henry's first start:

"We have talked a lot about a player that is coming into the middle of the season that worked hard for the start. Coming off the bench in Kansas and now getting her first start. She will continue to work on her fitness up to 90 min."

On MA Vignola's Call-Up to the USWNT:

"You look at M.A, this is really her rookie season. She didn't get to play a lot last year and no one really had the chance to see her true potential. She still has a ton of room to grow. You are going to see a lot more of her over the next few years. This is the first step in her international career and we are going to work hard to help her continue to develop."

"She doesn't even have a season of NWSL yet. Those are the moments you move from a rookie to a pro. Learning from people that have experience in this league. It is huge to be surrounded by those people. For her it is about being a professional everyday. Continuing to grow and create her identity on and off the field."

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from September 17, 2023


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