Angel City jumps into playoff race with win over Reign

For all of the results Angel City have achieved during its unbeaten streak, Angel City knows it needs to start getting wins in order to get into the playoffs.

On Sunday evening, at home against OL Reign, the full three points finally came Angel City’s way. Angel City got goals from Clarisse Le Bihan in the first half and Madison Hammond in the second half, and despite conceding a penalty late in the match, Angel City were able to hang on and take a huge leap in the standings following the 2-1 result at BMO Stadium.

“Tonight was one of those nights that I’ll remember for a long time,” Angel City captain Ali Riley said. “It was such a team effort. The crowd and the noise, it got a little bit dicey at the end, but they helped push us through those seven extra minutes and get the win.”

The win enables Angel City (5-6-6, 21 points) to jump from 11th place in the league standings to ninth, where they are tied on points with Racing Louisville. More importantly, there are just three points out of the sixth and final playoff spot with five matches to play. The win was also a milestone for Angel City, as Sunday’s win was the first over OL Reign.

Angel City jumped ahead in the 13th minute. Hammond sprung Scarlett Camberos down the right side with a long ball, keeper Claudia Dickey came off her line to try to beat Camberos to the ball, but not only did she fail to do so, but Camberos touched a ball past Dickey, leaving an open net. Camberos immediately crossed towards the six-yard box and Le Bihan beat Alana Cook’s last-minute challenge and slotted the shot into the back net.

Angel City held the lead for the remainder of the first half as well as the early stages of the second half. Angel City then doubled its lead in the 58th minute, as Le Bihan sent a free kick into the penalty area and Hammond sent a right-footed shot that looked like it was saved by Dickey, but the shot went through her hands and into the back net and Angel City was up 2-0. OL Reign did not go down without a fight, as Bethany Balcer was fouled inside the penalty area in the 73rd minute, and OL Reign were awarded the penalty. Megan Rapinoe, who had subbed in at the start of the half, stepped up to the spot and buried the penalty to cut Angel City’s lead to a goal. However, unlike previous meetings with OL Reign where past leads were squandered, Angel City were able to wilt away the rest of the match for a massive win.

“In those moments, it’s been a big area of growth for us,” Hammond said. “You look back to the first half of the season and we definitely left points on the table in those moments, whether we’re up 2-1 or up 3-2. For us, it’s this energy you feel where everyone’s saying no, we’re going to lock it down. You get big moments where we get a penalty against us. If you looked a couple of months ago, we probably would have folded. To have Jasmyne [Spencer] make a huge tackle, putting in scrappy fouls. Those are the things to close out a game that are really important, and we know that we have to get three points at every moment. I was really proud of the girls tonight.”

During the match, both Angel City and OL Reign players wore tape around their wrists with messages expressing their support for Spanish player Jenni Hermoso in her ongoing battle with Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales for his actions during the post-game ceremony of the Women’s World Cup Final. Both teams also came together to display a banner that read “Contigo Jenni” and the Angel City supporters section also displayed messages in support of Hermoso.

“It’s tough right now because it’s shocking what’s going on,” Riley said. “What gives me hope is to see most of the world coming together. I still think that as a collective voice, as women with our male allies now who are coming forward, we can’t be ignored. I hope that just she feels the support. I hope that we just keep going and saying that we believe her, and say that we’re with her. We want to see change. Players are putting their careers on the line for this, both the men’s and women’s Spanish National Team players. You’re seeing the different club games now and I am looking forward to the day when change actually happens. For us being on this side of the world, I hope that she feels the support.”

Angel City is on the road for its next match, and it is a somewhat short week, as they face the Kansas City Current on Friday.