It was an opportunity lost for Angel City FC.
Playing its final home match of the season, against a Racing Louisville team that had already been eliminated from postseason play, Angel City had a golden opportunity to control its playoff destiny. A win and the three points that came with it would’ve put them past the North Carolina Courage for the sixth and final playoff spot heading into its season finale against the Chicago Red Stars next weekend.
However, Angel City let the opportunity slip ots its fingers, as Louisville answered a Savannah McCaskill goal with three unanswered goals. Kirsten Davis, Alex Chidiac and Emina Ekic found the back net for Racing, and they left Banc of California Stadium with the 3-1 win.
“We need to take the lessons from this game and move forward quickly,” Angel City head coach Freya Coombe said. “We will focus on making sure that we do those things well in Chicago. We have two well-deserved rest days, which the players haven’t had in a long time.”
Angel City is still alive for the playoffs, but they now need help from its regional rivals San Diego Wave FC, to have a chance to get in. First, Angel City needs San Diego to defeat the Courage on Sept. 30, two days before its season finale in Chicago, and if the Courage loses, then Angel City would need to defeat the Red Stars. Fortunately for Angel City, the Courage will have to make the cross-country flight to San Diego on short week’s rest, and Wave FC will have a lot to play for in that match, as three points will keep them alive in the NWSL Shield race. A draw between the Courage and Wave FC would not do Angel City any good, as the Courage have the advantage
“At the end of the day, San Diego could lose on Saturday, and we could go and beat Chicago on Sunday, but it wouldn’t matter because they lost,” McCaskill said. “We have to go at it as if San Diego is going to win, so we have to prepare like we’re going to go in and get a job done. We’re still in control of that.”
Angel City relied on a little luck to take the lead in the 14th minute. Jun Endo took a shot just inside the penalty area, the ball deflected off McCaskill but went towards goal, keeper Katie Lund was out of position and scrambling, the ball deflected off the crossbar, rolled along the goal line before crossing the goal line for an unusual goal.
Louisville however was keen to play spoiler. Louisville equalized in the 38th minute, as Jaelin Howell stole a ball and dribbled towards goal, Howell played Davis into the penalty area and Davis blasted a left-footed shot past keeper Didi Haracic into the back net to level the match. Louisville was then gifted a chance to take the lead in the 41st minute, as Paige Nielsen pushed Lauren Milliet from behind inside the penalty area and referee Adorae Monroy signaled Racing to the penalty area. Chidiac stepped up to the spot and buried the shot to give Louisville the lead.
Angel City pressed for the equalizer throughout the second half, but Louisville refused to buckle. Angel City’s best chance to equalize came on the 81st minute, as Simone Charley won a free kick outside the penalty area by drawing a foul on Satara Murray, Claire Emslie sent a free kick for the far post area, but it missed by inches. Louisville then dealt Angel City a fatal blow in the 90th minute, as Emily Fox crossed into the penalty area, an unmarked Ekic received the cross and blasted the shot past Haracic to seal the upset for Louisville.
