The NWSL’s regular season has officially entered its second half. Saturday saw the second half kick off with a California derby at Snapdragon Stadium between the San Diego Wave and Angel City FC. This was the fifth meeting all-time between the two clubs including a historic sold-out win for the Wave at home on September 17 of last year. Both teams entered the match at almost opposite positions in the standings with San Diego in first and Angel City second to last in eleventh. Angel City pulled off the 2-1 upset on the road and in front of a national TV audience on CBS. Here are three Angel City post-match talking points.
Angel City Post-Match Talking Points from Saturday
ACFC taking 3 points home 🎉 pic.twitter.com/oGJIii5KrG
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 17, 2023
Becki Tweed Makes Interim Debut
It was announced on Thursday that Freya Coombe was no longer the head coach for Angel City. Coombe and Angel City were halfway through their second season, on a six-game winless streak, and sitting in eleventh place with a 2-6-3 record. The assistant coach was promoted to interim head coach. Tweed led Angel City to their first win since May 7 two days later.
Angel City Score Two in Second Half Comeback
After an uneventful first half, San Diego opened the scoring with Kristen McNabb’s first goal of the year in the 57-minute. 12 minutes later, Angel City’s Paige Nielsen equalized. Mary Alice Vignola then gave Angel City the lead in the 88-minute. San Diego had several opportunities to tie things up in added time. However, Angel City was able to hold off the Wave’s attempts to equalize for the win.
Angel City Ends Winning Drought
With a win over the Wave, Angel City moved up a spot to tenth in the standings. Meanwhile, San Diego went into Saturday first. They have since been overtaken by several clubs and sit in fourth place. Angel City went six matches without a win and only one point from a 0-0 draw against North Carolina. This combined with the managerial change could result in a change of fortune for Angel City this season.
Photo Credit: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports, of an Alyssa Thompson Headshot, on June 17, 2023.
