February 24, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Angel City FC News Release
INDIO, CA – Angel City FC today drew 0-0 against new expansion team Bay FC at the Coachella Valley Invitational (CVI), in the club’s first preseason match that was open to the public. This was the first edition of the annual CVI tournament that featured NWSL teams. The match was a preview of Angel City’s March 16 season opener, which will also be against Bay FC.
With the game falling during a FIFA window, both clubs were missing a handful of players to international duty, and Angel City made numerous subs throughout the game, with all three of the team’s 2024 NWSL Draft picks- Felicia Knox, Jessica Garziano, and Madison Curry- seeing the field alongside several non-roster invitee (NRI) players.
Bay FC had several scoring chances in the first half, including one in the 7th minute that saw a cross from forward Rachel Hill fall to forward Tess Boade, who took a close-range shot that was initially blocked by Angel City defender Sarah Gorden. Boade made a second attempt with the rebounded ball, which sailed wide of the left post.
A 19th-minute attempt by Angel City set up by forward Sydney Leroux took a deflection and went wide of goal; another by NRI Sam Kroeger in the 32nd minute went wide.
To start the second half, both teams made nearly complete lineup changes. ACFC had a good chance in the 52nd minute when midfielder Knox sent a cross to forward Messiah Bright, but the 2023 Rookie of the Year candidate couldn’t quite get on the end of it, instead deflecting the ball out for a corner. Additionally,fans in attendance got to see defender Merritt Mathias play for Angel City for the first time, as a season-long injury sidelined her in 2023.
Angel City’s three goalkeepers- Angelina Anderson, Hannah Stambaugh, and DiDi Haračić- split their time in goal to keep the clean sheet.
The regular season kicks off against Bay FC on March 16 at 7:00 PM at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
POST-MATCH QUOTES
ACFC Vice-Captain and Defender, Sarah Gorden
On Merritt Mathias’s return to the field:
“We’ve been seeing Merritt out there for the whole month and it’s been amazing having her back. She is obviously a great player, so skill-wise, it’s great having her back on the field. She brings an energy and excitement to her too. She brings up the level and It’s great seeing her out there, seeing her confident playing outside back and wing back. She loves getting on the ball and defending, so it’s…