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NWSL Angel City FC

Angel City Football Club Falls to OL Reign in Challenge Cup Opener

April 20, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Angel City FC News Release


LOS ANGELES - Angel City Football Club (ACFC) fell 0-2 at home tonight against OL Reign in their opening match of the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup. A goal by forward Jordyn Huitema and an own goal by ACFC midfielder Clarisse Le Bihan made the difference in the midweek game.

Angel City started the half on the front foot, with forward Alyssa Thompson combining with forward Scarlett Camberos in the first minute to put a shot on target, but Reign keeper Claudia Dickey made the save.

ACFC spent much of the next 15 minutes in their attacking third, putting together a handful of chances and forcing Dickey to make two more saves- one against defender Jasmyne Spencer in the fourth minute, and another against Thompson in the 12th minute.

In the 30th minute, LA had their best chance yet when keeper Brittany Isenhour sent a long goal kick to Camberos in the midfield. Camberos flicked the ball forward with a header into the path of defender M.A. Vignola's overlapping run. With plenty of space in front of her, Vignola sprinted forward and shot from the left edge of the penalty box- but the ball went just wide.

Isenhour came up big in the 52nd minute when midfielder Jess Fishlock sent a free kick over the wall and on target at the bottom right-hand corner of the goal. Isenhour dove and deflected the ball out for a corner kick.

Ten minutes later, OL opened the scoringwhen Isenhour mishit a backpass from midfielder Savannah McCaskill; forward Jordyn Huitema pounced on the loose ball and tapped it into the open goal.

Camberos nearly equalized in the 73rd minute when defender Ali Riley lofted the ball over the 18-yard box toward the far post; Camberos was making a run and put a point-blank header on target, but Dickey did well to save her shot.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 78th minute on a corner kick by forward Megan Rapinoe that Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock volleyed toward the goal with her right foot. Her attempt deflected off the shoulder of Angel City midfielder Clarisse Le Bihan and into the back of the net.

Midfielder Mackenzie Pluck made her first professional appearance, subbing in for Clarisse Le Bihan in the 85th minute. Camberos made her first start and first appearance at home.

Angel City plays next this Sunday, April 23, hosting Southern California rival San Diego Wave FC at home at 5:00 p.m. The match will be broadcast on Paramount+.

POST-MATCH QUOTES

Jasmyne Spencer, ACFC Defender

Thoughts on the match:

"For the first goal, it's an unfortunate moment, and we chose not to dwell on that. But for the second one, we'll look at that again. We want to be stingy and not give up set-piece goals especially. We'll have to look at the film and make necessary adjustments moving forward."

Thoughts on playing her former team:

"It's always a big game. There's a level of bragging rights for sure. There was a moment on the sideline, all my close friends would not give me the ball, so as you can see tension is high whenever we play each other, but every game in this league is big. It's just a little more when it's against a former team."

On strategizing between Challenge Cup and Regular Season:

"Last year we used it as a runway. We were a brand new team who emphasized figuring out our identity and didn't make a ton of changes. Now we can rotate players, especially with a lot of the games being mid-week we're able to tap into our depth so it's good."

M.A. Vignola, ACFC Defender

On personal highlights of the match:

"We had many positives that we can take going forward. We're not thrilled we gave up a set-piece goal, but I believe we can correct our mistakes."

On Sunday's rivalry match:

"Community is going to be a big part of this Sunday's game. I think that we want the stadium to be loud, everyone to be crazy, and we want to bring the energy as a team and individuals, so I think that's going to be the biggest goal for us on Sunday."

On the timing of the Challenge Cup:

"It was interesting just because with me being out last year, I thought that with the Challenge Cup at the beginning of the season, it would be nice to come in and not go straight into regular season games. So I think it's going to be interesting having Challenge Cup games in the middle of the season. We need to get our bodies right with everyone feeling good. It's going to be interesting."

Freya Coombe, ACFC Head Coach

On Julie Ertz joining the club:

"She's a great player. When we signed her, she stood out in terms of someone who could be that rock in the midfield for us - defending in front of the backline, enabling us to defend a little bit higher, and adding some physicality.

"Her ability on the ball is also going to help us. Signing someone with her track record of winning and her history, it's just going to help raise the standard of the team. We can demand more of each other and try to eliminate some of the mistakes that we've been making that have led to goals so far this season".

In preparation for Sunday's match:

"The team is really ready for that game. We recognize it's our derby match. The players are completely up for it, especially after last season. We want to make sure that we are competitive and want to turn them over at our home. I know this game means a lot to the fans and the community, so this place is going to be absolutely rocking on Sunday."

On challenge cup format, and how it changed tonight's approach:

"Tonight, it was really good to see some of the players put in strong performances. I thought Jasmyne [Spencer] did really well, and it was great for her to get her first start for us. M.A. [Mary Alice Vignola] looked much improved from the previous game, which was great to see. Lily Nabet also had a great performance. Scarlett [Camberos] looked threatening in different moments of the game, which was excellent. We can use the Challenge Cup to bring the best out of those players."

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from April 20, 2023


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