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ACFC's Iron Woman Sarah Gorden and Bay FC's Joelle Anderson. Photo by Jonah Breton @ Tangent Zine
Now on its third season competing at the National Women's Soccer League, Angel City FC controlled their opening game at home early on and right up to the final whistle but could not capitalize on its chances. The home squad fell 1-0 against debutants and crosstown rivals Bay FC.
Match Highlights from ACFC's YT channel
An error and a miscommunication by Angel City FC's defense led to a Bay FC goal in the 17'. Asisat Oshoala, a six-time African women’s footballer of the year and one of the world's most lethal strikers, pounced on a ball that ACFC gifted leaving GK Angelina Anderson and the 22,000 fans at the BMO stadium in attendance stunned.
Asisat Oshoala (L) and Angel City FC's Paige Nelson (R) in action. Photo by Jonah Breton @ Tangent Zine
A more composed ACFC regrouped and created their best chance in the first half at the 35' when 17-year-old midfielder Kennedy Fuller, the youngest player to ever wear an ACFC jersey, sent a low cross to a surging Meggie Dougherty-Howard, who put a shot on target only to be foiled by Bay GK Lysianne Proulx.
From ACFC's YT channel
ACFC's architect in the midfield Amandine Henry dribbles the ball. Photo by Jonah Breton @Tangent Zine
ACFC continued their dominance in the 2nd half having 59% ball possession and completing 477 passes. The closest chance they had in the second stanza came in the 89th minute where a shot from forward Messiah Bright took a deflection and got past Proulx, and with the ball rolling inches to the goal line, Bay City defender Caprice Dydasco came just in time to clear the ball from danger.
Proulx, who plays for the Canadian National Women's Soccer Team, proved to be a brick on the wall as she saved eight Angel City FC shots on target tying the NWSL record for saves in a regular season debut.
“It was the most NWSL football game I’ve seen, and that happens. We knew the longer the half went on, the harder it was going to be, but we believed in ourselves the entire time. You could see that all the way to the final whistle. We all get caught up acting like the first game is the end all be all for the rest of the season, but it’s game one of a very long season. We have to use this game as a huge learning point and a huge momentum shift for us.” coach Becki tweed said during the post-game interview.
The game's save of the match taken from ACFC's YT channel
Angel City FC will resume action on March 22 on the road against Orlando Pride. The game will be available to stream on Amazon Prime video starting at 5 PST.
NEXT ANGEL CITY FC HOME GAME: APRIL 21. TICKETS
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