Photo courtesy of Angel City Football Club.
Christen Press finally got to showcase her abilities to her hometown audience on Saturday.
The day finally arrived.
After months of announcements, promotional and community events, front office and coaching hiring’s, player acquisitions and just flat out anticipation, it was finally time for Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC to take the field, to finally let the vision put forth by both teams play out on the pitch, and in the stands.
On Saturday, March 19, 2022, it finally happened. Angel City and San Diego Wave officially brought NWSL soccer to the state of California, and both teams did not disappoint on the first day. Angel City and San Diego opened up the NWSL Challenge Cup against each other at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium, and despite it being the first game for either side, they still displayed the competitiveness that one would expect in an in-state rivalry game. Angel City drew first blood early in the second half, but San Diego eventually had its say with a late equalizer, and both teams settled for the 1-1 draw.
“Angel City playing, it’s huge, right? We’ve got a huge support system to come and cheer us on at the games,” said Angel City head coach Freya Coombe. “This has been months since the idea of ACFC came to mind, and now it’s in fruition which has been an amazing moment to get the first ball kicked in the first official competition.”
After a scoreless first half, Angel City edged ahead in the 50th minute. Ali Riley crossed into the penalty area and McCaskill headed a ball past keeper Kailen Sheridan near post for the first ever goal in Angel City FC history and with it, its first ever lead.
“It means a lot,” said McCaskill of scoring Angel City’s first ever goal. “I knew Ali Riley could put in a great ball, so I just backed her and knew she would put a ball in the box. I saw Tyler make the run to the near post, and as soon as I saw the ball coming overhead, I knew that was going to be my moment. I wasn’t tracked going into the box as well, so I knew if I just put it to either side of Kailyn, she probably wouldn’t be able to get there. It all came together pretty nicely.”
Energized by the goal, Angel City looked to put a stranglehold on the match. Six minutes after the goal, Angel City was back on the break, as Press sprinted forward and sprung Taylor Lussi for goal. Lussi dribbled into the penalty area, drew out Sheridan and chipped a ball that got past Sheridan, but did not get past the framework, as the ball bounced off the far post and Sheridan eventually secured the ball. Press had a chance herself later in the half, as she dribbled about 40 yards out and took a shot herself, but was saved by Sheridan. San Diego eventually got its first goal in franchise history, and it came in the 81st minute, when following a corner, Marleen Schimmer crossed a ball into the penalty area, the cross went off Reihl and into the back net to level the match.
Photo courtesy of Angel City Football Club.
Soccer fans in Southern California finally got to see players such as Hope Breslin (left) live and in person.
Despite a scoreless first half, both teams had their chances inside the first 45 minutes. Press had the game’s first great chance seven minutes in, as she dribbled forward, sidestepped Christen Westphal and fired a right-footed volley from just outside the penalty area that was on target, but Sheridan got enough of her left hand on the ball to redirect the shot off the crossbar. San Diego eventually settled into the flow of the game and started creating its own chances, but were also unable to find the back net.
“There were some great things and there were some things to build off of and to improve on coming out of this match,” said Angel City defender Vanessa Gilles. “Going forward, that’s what we’re going to address. We were exposed in ways that we haven’t been before, and that’s definitely something to look forward to.”
Even though it was a Challenge Cup game played in a temporary stadium, the atmosphere inside Titan Stadium was still electric, as Angel City and San Diego Wave played to a capacity crowd. Fans were eager to finally see both teams in action, and there was plenty of star power. Angel City’s Press started the match, and while she didn’t find the back net, still displayed the qualities that earned her the reputation as one of the league’s top strikers. San Diego’s biggest draw, Alex Morgan, didn’t start the match, but came in as a substitute at the start of the second half. While the atmosphere at Titan Stadium isn’t likely to match the energy that will be felt when they finally play at Banc of California Stadium, starting on April 29 against the Carolina Courage, there was plenty for Angel City to be happy about on Saturday.
“Amazing! We talked about it during warm-ups,” McCaskill said. “We couldn’t hear each other speak, which is amazing for a Challenge Cup preseason game that isn’t even in our home stadium yet. It’s an incredible atmosphere, and I can’t wait for next weekend and then moving forward for our first home opener in the Banc of California Stadium. It’s going to be insane.”
With its first match behind them, Angel City and San Diego Wave can now focus on winning the Challenge Cup, and they will return to Titan Stadium next weekend for a Saturday matinee against OL Reign, while San Diego will play its first home match against the Portland Thorns later that day.
Angel City FC
San Diego Wave
