Angel City Football Club returns home to face the unbeaten Orlando Pride

Angel City FC defender Madison Hammond moves the ball against OL Reign midfielder Quinn, right, during the first half of an NWSL quarterfinal playoff soccer match Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Angel City Football Club emerged from last week’s three-game stretch with four points, a total that’s probably lower than the club would have expected, but in a league as tight as the NWSL, they’ll certainly take them.

Now, comes another challenge to close out play heading into the Olympic break.

Starting Sunday, Angel City FC will face the second (Orlando Pride) and fourth-place (Gotham FC) teams to head into the Olympic break.

The Pride (10-0-5) is one of two unbeaten teams remaining in the league.

“It’s always fun to face teams that haven’t lost yet because it’s fun to create problems they haven’t seen before,” ACFC midfielder Madison Hammond said. “I want to take down the team that hasn’t lost yet. That competitive spirit mindset and being able to lean into the support from the home crowd in order to get a result is huge.

“Three-game weeks are a test. We wanted to get more points, especially being away from home. We have been able to create better relationships and understanding as far as what we’re trying to do on the field with our structure, and we’re able to apply that moving forward.”

The teams met back on March 22 in Orlando, the second game of the season. Angel City took a lead in the 53rd minute, but the Pride equalized in the 88th minute on a goal by Marta.

The Pride have been finding ways to get results ever since that meeting, while Angel City has been in a season-long battle with itself.

“The game is Orlando for us right now,” ACFC coach Becki Tweed said. “So every week you have an opportunity to correct the game before and you grow from it. Every game you go into with a belief and a feeling that you are going to win the game, if you execute in the areas that you have to execute in.

“I think the vibe is good around here. I think a couple of off days really helped and everybody’s ready to go into Orlando. And I say it all the time, this team enjoys being the underdogs. We enjoy the challenge of rising to teams that are above us and in form at the moment. I think we’re going to give it a good go. Our expectation is to win the game for sure.”

Angel City figures to be in a tight race for the playoff spot this season. Eight teams will qualify for the playoffs. Heading into this week, ACFC had 15 points, one behind eighth-place Racing Louisville FC.

Pride Night

The game is Angel City’s Pride Night and Hammond said the night is always special.

“Pride (Night) is very special, not just for our team, but for the league as a whole,” she said. “The LGBTQIA+ community really supports women’s soccer as a whole. To be able to give back to our fans and a larger part of our society is extremely impactful.”

“It’s inspiring to see that a soccer game can be such a safe space filled with love for people to live as themselves and enjoy the match. I’m proud to be part of a club that fosters a space like that, and to be able to do what I love as myself here as well.”