Angel City Football Club struggled before entering the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, but is now one win away from playing for the franchise’s first trophy.
First, the club will play in the opening semifinal, taking on Gotham FC on Tuesday at 2 p.m. PT at Kansas City’s CPKC Stadium. The winner will advance to the final on Oct. 25 in San Antonio against the winner of the second semifinal between the Kansas City Current and North Carolina Courage.
Angel City sits in 11th place in the 14-team NWSL at 4-9-3 (15 points) and its road to figuring things out this season has been a process.
“There’s a chemistry and connection that we’re finding,” defender and captain Sarah Gorden said. “A flow and just enjoying the game again, moving the ball, having fun and being free.
“It’s been like bringing it back to the simple things and why we do it because it’s so easy to get that anxious energy of we have to do this, we have to win, we have to get results, so to be able to have this past month just to find ourselves and find our style and who we are as a group and our culture has been very long overdue and we’ve really been going on that.”
Angel City finished first in Group B with eight points, winning two games in regulation (Club America and Bay FC) and earning two points with a penalty kick shootout victory over San Diego Wave FC.
The group stage was highlighted by the return of Christen Press, who came on as a late substitute and converted a penalty kick in the shootout round against San Diego.
“It was an incredible moment for Christen of course, but for the whole team to just watch,” Gorden said. “We see her on her journey the past two years and triumphs and struggles and everything that she’s been through.
“She’s obviously a world-class player, we know how incredible she is on the field, she’s a leader for us, a great player and person, so having her step back on the field and convert her PK was a huge moment for her, but also for the group. It brought us such energy and life and it’s amazing to have her back.”
Gotham won Group D with eight points. Despite having several players away at the Olympics (six), Gotham has relied on its defensive structure. The club has allowed 13 goals in 16 NWSL games and hasn’t allowed a goal through its group stage games. Gotham has allowed only one goal in the first half of games this season.
Related Articles
Angel City FC will meet Gotham FC in Summer Cup semifinals
Christen Press makes long-awaited return as Angel City defeats San Diego on PKs
Angel City FC forward Christen Press available for Summer Cup game against San Diego
Angel City blanks Bay FC in Summer Cup match
Angel City FC faces familiar foe in Femenil Summer Cup
“With Gotham, we have kind of a sour taste in our mouth after the last two regular-season games against them,” Gorden said. “Their team is going to look much different going into tomorrow’s game. But still, it’s the same kind of energy for us.”
INJURY UPDATES
For the second consecutive game, Press is not listed on the injury list, so she will be available.
Along with forward Jun Endo, who is still on the season-ending injury list, Katie Johnson, Ali Riley, Gisele Thompson, Sydney Leroux and Merritt Mathias will be out.
UPCOMING EXHIBITION
After this game, Angel City will have two weeks before its next match. The club will host FC Juarez of Liga MX Femenil on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. at BMO Stadium.
GOTHAM FC vs. ANGEL CITY FC
When: Tuesday, 2 p.m.
Where: CPKC Stadium; Kansas City, Missouri
How to watch: CBS Sports Network
