May 12, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Angel City FC News Release
LOS ANGELES – Angel City Football Club (ACFC) fell short with a 0-1 loss tonight against the Houston Dash following a late goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time from Dash defender Paige Nielsen.
The match at BMO Stadium got off to a chippy start with Houston compiling six fouls and two yellow cards within the first 20 minutes of play. In the 13th minute, ACFC earned the first opportunity to score when Claire Emslie played a free kick into the box for a diving header from Sydney Leroux that just missed outside of the right corner of the goal.
The Dash created a chance in the 25th minute when midfielder Avery Patterson sent a cross to the left side of the box to forward Ramona Bachmann who almost nailed a shot from point blank range that went vertical over the top of the goal.
Forward Alyssa Thompson created another opportunity for ACFC in the 32nd minute after dribbling past defenders in the box for a shot that was blocked, resulting in a corner kick.
The first half would end tied 0-0, with ACFC possessing the ball for 58.8% of the first 45 minutes, earning a 82.8% passing accuracy rate, and outshooting Houston seven shots to their two.
In the beginning of the second half, Houston was able to produce two shots inside the box that were defended well by ACFC’s backline. The first one came in the 50th minute as Puntigam got an opportunity but shot it wide of the right side of the goal, while forward Diana Ordóñez got the second chance in the 56th minute that was blocked by several ACFC defenders.
Another chance for Angel City came in the 72nd minute when defender Jasmyne Spencer forced a cross in the box to Leroux who put just a little too much power on the shot to put the club ahead of the Dash.
ACFC’s defense stepped up by not allowing the Dash to create a shot for over 20 minutes as the clock dwindled down, keeping both teams scoreless. Offensively, ACFC took six total shots in the second half leading up to stoppage time, but was only able to convert one on target shot.
The last 10 minutes was full of opportunities from both sides, with ACFC getting several of them, but was unable to get a shot inside the box. In the 99th minute Nielsen scored the game winning goal of the match to shock ACFC.
Angel City are on the road next week, facing the Washington Spirit on Saturday, May 18, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific. The match will stream live on ION.
ACFC Milestones
Angel City have…