Angel City Football Club (ACFC) will host Racing Louisville FC at BMO Stadium at 6 p.m. PT on Sunday, July 26. The match can be televised on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
Last Time Out: ACFC Shuts Out Stars
Angel City put collectively a dominant second half to close out Chicago Stars FC and choose up its file third consecutive shutout win with a 2-0 triumph on Saturday, July 18, at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
Midfielder Maiara Niehues and ahead Sveindís Jónsdóttir scored as ACFC (7-1-6) gained three straight matches for the second time this season. Goalkeeper Angelina Anderson upped her profession excessive together with her fifth clear sheet of the season.
“We managed to build the intensity in the second half, and I think we rolled over them and [got] a very deserved win at the end,” mentioned Leif Smerud, who moved to 3-0 as Interim Head Coach.
The opening 45 minutes have been comparatively quiet, with each groups producing six pictures every however few high quality probabilities. But the Angel City assault erupted within the second half, launching sixteen pictures and placing fixed strain on the Chicago protection.
Niehues opened the scoring with a penalty kick purpose within the 56th minute, whereas Jónsdóttir completed off the win with a tally within the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time. Midfielder Ally Sentnor led ACFC with eight whole pictures.
“The first half was just not good for us. We didn’t play the football we wanted,” Jónsdóttir mentioned, including, “So [at halftime], we spoke about that – to be more calm on the ball because there were opportunities for us to play through the middle and get behind [the Stars].”
Forward Claire Emslie made her first begin of the season after returning to sport motion from maternity go away in May.
“I love being a mum, and I love playing football,” Emslie mentioned. “And you know, just at this point in life, getting to do both, I’m loving every second. And yeah, it’s the best. I’ve had so much support from Angel City, and I’m so happy to be part of this club.”
With 9 factors from three matches, ACFC moved as much as seventh within the NWSL standings and into playoff place.
Next Up: Sears and Racing Louisville
Racing Louisville arrives at BMO Stadium having damaged a five-match dropping streak with a 1-1 draw in opposition to the Houston Dash at Lynn Family Stadium on Saturday, July 18. But regardless of choosing up some extent, Louisville (2-2-10) stays on the backside of the NWSL standings.
A vivid spot for Louisville has been ahead Emma Sears, who has two targets and a team-leading three assists. Meanwhile, attacker Kayla Fischer notched a purpose in opposition to Houston and is tied for the membership lead with ahead Sarah Weber with three targets every.
All three Racing Louisville attackers should step up their sport at BMO Stadium, the place Angel City has conceded solely 9 instances in eight matches. ACFC has confronted Louisville eight instances in 4 seasons and is 2-2-4 general.
In the Spotlight: Niehues Continues Offensive Streak
Midfielder Maiara Niehues has been an attacking standout for Angel City this season, main the membership with six targets. With her conversion from the penalty spot in opposition to Chicago, the 21-year-old Niehues grew to become the second-youngest participant in NWSL historical past – after Diana Ordoñez – to attain in 5 consecutive matches and prolonged her personal membership file.
“Niehues is a goal scorer,” Smerud mentioned, including, “As soon as the ball is inside the box and she can shoot it or head it, she is really dangerous, and that’s invaluable to have in a team. And she’s a great penalty taker as well, as she showed.”
Niehues led Angel City with two pictures on course in opposition to the Stars and had 5 pictures general. She was additionally one of many principal table-setters, trying 5 crosses, second solely to Emslie’s 9.
The midfielder reveals no indicators of slowing down in her second season with ACFC, a 12 months during which she additionally obtained her first senior group call-up to the Brazil Women’s National Team. Niehues beforehand represented Brazil on the U-20, U-18, U-17 and U-16 ranges and appeared in two matches on the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
This Week at BMO Stadium: Pride Night
This Sunday, Angel City can be celebrating its annual Pride Night. The pre-match Fan Fest will begin at 2 p.m. and have a dwell efficiency by BOZ, beats from DJ KeeLez, colourful carnival video games, and complimentary portraits from Las Fotos Project. The first 15,000 followers to enter the gates will obtain a Pride Bandana.
Sunday’s match versus Louisville is ACFC’s closing at BMO Stadium earlier than it hits the street for 2 contests in Kansas City (August 1) and Seattle (August 9).
