Mexico defeats Angel City in inaugural Copa Angelina

It may have been hot in Los Angeles on Labor Day, but there were definitely warm feelings at Banc of California Stadium.

Angel City FC took some time off from its chase for the NWSL playoffs to host its second international friendly. This time, Angel City welcomed the Mexican national team for the inaugural Copa Angelina, and both sides were well represented by its respective fan bases at Banc of California Stadium.

“This match was very important for both communities, in terms of bringing together Los Angeles and Mexico,” Angel City head coach Freya Coombe said. “Bringing that to LA while building on our partnerships and the community, is really important. It’s something that we value, but we also value all of the players within our team. It gives us a great chance to present players with opportunity, whilst also maintaining our run for playoffs.”

When 90 minutes were up, it was Mexico that gave its fans plenty to cheer. Mexico won the game in the second half, as an Angel City own goal combined with a Scarlett Camberos gave Mexico the inaugural Copa Angelina trophy with the 2-0 result.

After 72 minutes of battling to a standstill in the unforgiving heat, it was Mexico that pulled ahead in the 72nd minute. A free kick intended for defender Greta Espinoza fell to keeper Brittany Isenhour’s feet as she stepped forward to claim the ball, but the ball bounced off her knee, into defender Megan Reid, and into the goal. Sensing the momentum going its way, Mexico went for the knockout, and got it in the 75th minute, as Jacqueline Ovalle drove up the left wing to the endline and cut the ball back toward the middle of the box for Camberos, who cleanly sent the ball past Isenhour inside the near post.

Both sides did have some chances to score earlier in the match. Angel City’s best chance to find the back net came in the 40th minute, as Miri Taylor sent a corner kick into the Mexico penalty area and Hope Breslin head a ball right on target, but keeper Itzel Gonzalez dove and got her left hand on the ball, sending over the end line. Mexico came close to scoring in the 50th minute, as Camberos combined with Carolina Jaramillo to find space for Jaramillo at the top of the 18, Jaramillo sent a looping shot over the heads of the Angel City defense and on target, but Isenhour dove and blocked the ball for a corner kick.

“You feed off the energy whether they’re there for or against you, it’s just incredible to , in a stadium that’s loud and vibrant like the Banc. It’s been so good to us all season long.” Angel City defender Jasmyne Spencer said “Especially when you think about coming up in the playoffs stretch, there’s a good chance that if we do make it, we might be having to go against these big teams like Portland or Seattle and play in their packed houses with the crowd against you. It’s another good learning experience for us to have to deal with that.”

Angel City jumps back into NWSL play on Sunday, as they travel to Houston to face the Dash.

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