August 7, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Angel City FC News Release
ORLANDO – Angel City Football Club (ACFC) braved the elements of a Florida summer night at their away match against Orlando Pride at Exploria Stadium. The torrential downpour and over 80-degree heat didn’t help either team, who fought to the final whistle to tie 2-2 with ACFC goals from Ali Riley and Cari Roccaro.
The match started slowly with little action on either side of the ball and even possession for both clubs. The steady action continued for most of the first half until ACFC captain Ali Riley sent a left-footed strike from the corner of the 18-yard box into the upper netting in the 40th minute, scoring against her former team.
ACFC forward Simone Charley entered the match at the start of the second half and would showcase her skills throughout the rest of the game. Defender Toni Pressley was face-to-face with Charley’s speed on a breakaway with no other defenders near. Pressley was forced to foul Charley, which resulted in a yellow card in the 57th minute. Two minutes later, another yellow card was issued against Pride midfielder Erika Tymrak.
In the 61st minute, Orlando brought on rookie forward Julie Doyle, who drastically changed the game’s momentum within seconds of entering the pitch. Doyle would go on to score Orlando’s first goal only three minutes after she joined the match.
ACFC regained momentum in the 72nd minute with a corner kick by Jun Endo that resulted in a goal by midfielder Roccaro off of an assist by Paige Nielsen. This is Rocarro’s second goal in as many games after scoring her first NWSL goal on July 30 against OL Reign at home. The lone yellowcard for ACFC was issued to Roccaro in the 76th minute after a foul on Pride midfielder Meggie Dougherty Howard.
Lastly, in the first minute of stoppage time, Orlando equalized the match at two after midfielder Kerry Abello sent a cross right in front of the goal, which ACFC defender Nielsen would misplay and send into the back of the ACFC’s own goal.
Tonight’s match against the Pride is the first of three games in eight days for ACFC. They return to Los Angeles to play in the club’s first-ever international friendly match when they face Tigres Femenil at their home pitch, the Banc of California Stadium, on Wednesday, Aug. 10 at 7:00 p.m. PT live on Bally Sports SoCal. Then on Sunday, Aug. 14, they will host the Chicago Red Stars at 5:00 p.m. PT live on CBS SportsNet.
POST-MATCH QUOTES
ACFC Captain and…