September 1, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Angel City FC News Release
LOS ANGELES – Angel City Football Club (ACFC) beat the Chicago Red Stars 2-1 at home today following goals by forwards Alyssa Thompson and Sydney Leroux. Midfielder Bea Franklin scored Chicago’s goal.
Angel City opened the scoring in the sixth minute when midfielder Meggie Dougherty Howard sent a curling shot to the far post, which Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher dove to block. The ball fell into the run of Thompson, who tapped it into the back of the net with Naeher out of position.
With the exception of a pair of goals that were waved offside- one for each team- the remainder of the half saw relatively few chances after the goal. Defender Madison Curry had a clutch play in the 30th minute, blocking a close-range shot by defender Camryn Biegalski that was set up by forward Mallory Swanson.
The Red Stars equalized in the 55th minute, when Swanson sent a free kick on the ground to defender Natalia Kuikka, who had made a late-arriving run to the edge of the penalty area. Kuikka sent a looping pass to midfielder Bea Franklin inside the box, who placed her shot inside the near post and into the back of the net.
The hosts came out swinging in the second half, with forward Sydney Leroux finding a chance in the 52nd minute. Forward Claire Emslie played out of pressure to send a through pass in behind Chicago’s defense, which Leroux received just before Naeher went to ground to claim the ball.
Less than a minute later, Red Stars forward Jenna Bike beat her defender to send a through ball to forward Jameese Joseph, who put a shot on target that goalkeeper DiDi Haračić blocked. Bike picked up the rebounded ball and took a crack of her own, which sailed high.
Angel City continued to dominate possession over the next 20 minutes- 66% to Chicago’s 34% over the course of the half- and earned a flurry of chances as the final whistle neared.
In the 61st minute, Emslie had a look, receiving a pass from defender Jasmyne Spencer before cutting inside and beating her mark- but Naeher saved her right-footed shot.
Defender Megan Reid put a close-range header on target off a corner kick in the 63rd minute, which Naeher saved.
In the 67th minute, Spencer dribbled into the 18 yard box and sent the ball across the face of goal, where Thompson was making a late run. Thompson took a touch and shot, which Naeher again saved. Midfielder Katie Zelem had a look in the 69th minute following a pass back inside…
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