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,…