Angel City ends season with loss against Chicago Red Stars

Despite an early lead with a goal from Miyabi Moriya, Angel City fell 2-1 to the Chicago Red Stars in the final match of the 2025 season. 

Sunday's match meant nothing in terms of playoff contention, yet the afternoon was significant to women's soccer fans across the nation. Ali Riley and Christen Press, who announced retirements at the end of the season, were honored before the game at Seatgeek Stadium for their contributions to the league and the game. 

It seems only fitting that Press would play her last game of her career against the club she started her NWSL career with. She spent the first four seasons of her career in Chicago, becoming the club's all-time leading scorer before becoming the first player signed to Angel City in 2022. Sunday marked the final time Press will share the field with the U.S. Women's National Team and Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. 

Press was substituted onto the pitch during the 57th minute of the match to a stadium erupting with cheers. Late in the second half, fans saw a glimpse of the magic she's created in her 14 years as a professional. 

Riley appeared on the pitch in the 92nd minute, subbing for Gisele Thompson. Grabbing the captain's armband for the last time in her career, Riley immediately began organizing the backline.  

Angel City's playoff chances were dashed two weeks ago following a loss to the Portland Thorns; the Angels will finish 11th in the league standings with a 7-7-13 record. Chicago was ruled out of playoff contention early last month and will finish last in the standings.  

Angel City found themselves in their attacking half early in the first half, taking an early lead with a goal by Moriya in the 22nd minute. Assisted by Nealy Martin, Moriya took a touch to control the ball before sending it low and fast into the back of the net for her first NWSL career goal.

Five minutes later, Gisele Thompson had a shot of her own off a pass from forward Maiara Niehues, who found her with a field-switching pass in Angel City’s attacking third. Thompson dribbled into the box and went for the far post, but goalkeeper Naeher blocked her attempt.

Early in the second half, in the 49th minute, Jameese Joseph equalized for Chicago, diving forward from midfield and completing a one-two with forward Nadia Gomes, receiving the ball from Gomes inside the 18 and firing a right-footed shot that beat goalkeeper Angelina Anderson to level the score.

Press had a chance in the 82nd minute with Forward Prisca Chilufya's pass into the path of Press’s run. The three-time Olympic veteran dribbled into the box to put a right-footed shot on target, but Naeher tipped it out.

Anderson had the save of the day in the 86th minute. Chicago's forward Ludmila ran up the right, sending a diagonal ball back to the edge of the penalty area for defender Natalia Kuikka to shoot. Anderson tipped the ball into the crossbar; midfielder Manaka Hayashi got her head on the rebound, but shot too high. 

Ally Schlegel scored the winner for Chicago in the 98th minute when Joseph served a forward pass into the six-yard box. Schlegel made an initial strike, which Anderson blocked, but the rebound hit her torso and landed in the back of the net to put the Red Stars ahead. 

“We need to be better at everything,” Head Coach Alex Straus said, “The technical, tactical, we need to be better physical, we need to be better baseline.” Straus took control of Angel City in June and is now preparing for the 2026 season, hoping to get Angel City on a winning level.