Bay FC entered the NWSL and beat Angel City twice in the regular season. The new team started the rivalry strong, but on Friday Angel City got its revenge.
Angel City beat Bay 2-0, knocking Bay out of the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup.
Coach Becki Tweed was delighted with how her squad to performed in the first 70 minutes, but she is still looking for more.
"We have scored four goals in two games," Tweed said. "That is something we have to continue to grow. I think we could have scored four or five goals tonight, honestly."
Angel City took the lead via Bay’s own goal in the 18th minute. Forward Clarise Emslie served a ball into the box, and after a few bounces, the ball hit the post and then Bay midfielder Dorian Bailey before finding the back of the net.
An own goal puts Angel City in the lead 👀 pic.twitter.com/po3aPDkqYf
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) July 27, 2024
Emslie doubled Angel City’s lead 54 minutes into the match. Forward Alyssa Thompson found forward Messiah Bright in the middle of the box. Then, Bright stayed patient and found Emslie, who hit a well-placed strike into the back of the net.
Bright tallied her first professional assist on the goal.
"It feels awesome, Bright said. "I didn't even like realize it was my first one, so it's pretty awesome just to soak that in and celebrate it. I'm just happy to contribute to the team."
The technique on this Claire Emslie finish 🤌 pic.twitter.com/Mbcg8TYE12
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 27, 2024
Angelina Anderson started her second straight Summer Cup match after being benched for most of the season. The 23-year-old goalkeeper kept a clean sheet.
One of Anderson’s top moments came in the second minute when she made a near post save after Bay forward Rachel Hill received a long ball. The ball went out for a corner kick, but Anderson also stopped that, tipping the ball over the bar.
Defender Sarah Gorden also helped keep the clean sheet with timely defensive plays.
"Clean sheet and three points on the road, we've got to take all the positives away from it and continue to grow and move forward," Tweed said.
Sarah Gorden always in the right place to make a play 📍 pic.twitter.com/HUb7nPJEwe
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 27, 2024
Also notable was that 17-year-old forward Casey Phair made her professional debut. The youngest player to ever play in a World Cup entered in the 66th minute.
"(Phair) was excited for it," Tweed said. "She worked hard for it.
"I said all along she is going to earn it, and she earned it."
Angel City leads Group B with six points. They only need one point in their next match against the San Diego Wave to guarantee they win their group. However, since only four of five group winners advance to the semifinals, they will be playing to win against their rivals.
Angel City plays the Wave on Thursday.