Angel City FC Loses 1-0 in Stoppage Time to Houston Dash

Angel City FC's Alyssa Thompson sprints with the ball to beat the Houston Dash defense. Photo by Jonah Breton @ Tangent Zine

Coming into Sunday’s game at the BMO arena here in Los Angeles, Angel City FC has won three of their last four games.

Highlights from NWSL's YT Channel

Angel City FC's Madison Curry in action vs the Houston Dash. Photo by Jonah Breton @ Tangent Zine

Inspired by a home crowd of 18,037, Angel City had the momentum early against a physically imposing Houston Dash. They controlled the ball better, maintaining 59% of possession, creating six chances in the first half alone.  On most accounts, they led the stat sheet over Houston except for the only statistic that mattered once the final whistle was blown. Houston Dash 1, Angel City FC 0.

Former Angel City defender Paige Nielsen scored the dagger on the final seconds of injury time. Nielsen, still a fan favorite here in LA was unmarked in the penalty area and scored a magnificent volley off a corner kick in 99’.

Houston Dash defender and goal scorer Paige Nielsen in action against her former team Angel City FC. Photo by Jonah Breton @ Tangent Zine

“This place was really special for me,” Nielsen, who was traded in April to Houston, said after the match. “The fans, the community, my own teammates and being here from the inception, it was really tough, but coming back here, I knew that I really wanted to win this game. I even told my new team, that they should do everything to win this game. They did such a good job, one of our best games since I’ve been with Houston and I’m super proud of them and I’m so thankful to be the one to score at the end. Probably one of the best moments of my career.”

Angel City FC's Alyssa Thompson defends. Photo by Jonah Breton @ Tangent Zine

With a passing accuracy of 83% and three shots on goal, the closest chance that ACFC had was in the 72nd minute when defender Jasmyne Spencer forced a cross in the box to Sydney Leroux, unexpectedly striking the ball with just a little power and inches over the woodwork.

Angel City FC's Jasmyne Spencer (3) with a short pass against Houston Dash. Photo by Jonah Breton @ Tangent Zine

The loss puts Angel City FC in 9th place while Houston moves up to 10th place in the NWSL standings. Angel City FC face Washington Spirit next on the road this coming Saturday, May 18, at 4:30PM PST. The match will stream live on ION.

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