Angel City FC Starting XI (Photo Credit ACFC)

Angel City FC traveled to Orlando to face off versus 2024 NWSL Champions Orlando Pride.

Coming off a 4-0 loss versus Gotham FC, ACFC were desperately looking to bounce back. Angel City were faced with the challenge of showing how this 2025 ACFC Roster measures up to last year’s champions.

The defense was going to be tested just as it is every game. Angel City has shown what it can do offensively, but with a new backline next to Captain Sarah Gorden, this match was going to test the backlines resilience. Newcomer Savy King would be tested versus some of the best Forwards in the NWSL, Marta & Barbra Banda.

Offensively, ACFC had Star Striker Alyssa Thompson back in the Starting Xl along with Riley Tiernan up top who has been unstoppable, previously racking up back-to-back goals for Angel City.

Riley has given ACFC a different look this season, making Angel City FC’s Offense look promising moving forward. Adding seasoned players like Press and Zelem into the midfield mix could really give Angel City that attacking pressure they have been missing.

Match Details

Angel City Stunned with a goal in the ninth minute by Riley Tiernan, she saw an opening, took the shot and the shot went in the back of the net. Shots like these are always worth taking especially with the force and quality Tiernan has shown from the start of the season.

ACFC Forwards Thompson and Emslie must feel a bit of pressure off knowing they can count of Tiernan to get on the score board. Rookie Riley has been showing she isn’t afraid to score.

Riley Tiernan Goal Celebration (Photo Credit ACFC)

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As expected, a back-and-forth game followed for the remainder of the first half until the 44th minute when ACFC midfielder Katie Zelem found the back of the net making it her first NWSL Regular Season Goal since her arrival in late 2024.

Katie Zelem comes from WSL side Manchester United where she scored 32 goals and 46 assists in 161 matches in all competitions. For Zelem, this goal could be a turning point for her and the rest of the team.

Katie Zelem Goal Celebration (Photo Credit ACFC)

Post Game Press Conference Quotes from Katie Zelem on her Goal

“To be honest, I was starting to think I was jinxed, because I've missed about three sitters before. I was happy to finally put one in the back of the net. Set pieces are something we'd worked on in the first and second phase, so it was nice that it fell to me in the box and I was able to finish it.” - Katie Zelem

ACFC Goal Celebration (Photo Credit ACFC)

Unfortunately for Angel City, their perfect first half didn’t help keep Orlando off the scoreboards. A goal by Marta in the 72nd minute followed by a goal from Barbara Banda equalized the game going into the last minutes of the game.

Two goals in 5 minutes had Angel City in the ropes, hoping to leave with one point after having a two-goal advantage.

With Orlando keeping the pressure going with momentum of the goals, they were able to get another late goal to secure the victory after an own goal from Angel City Defender M.A Vignola.

Post Game Quotes

Katie Zelem on playing versus Orlando.

“It's always difficult when you concede two goals close together. We knew a draw here would also have been a great result.
“They are champions for a reason. They have some good players who can change games quickly. They started piling on the pressure, and we needed to just tighten up on defending in the box. That's a focus of ours now and going forward.” – Katie Zelem

ACFC Defender Savy King also shared her thoughts on the match overall

“There's a lot to be proud of on our side. I felt like we came out really strong and held them to minimal chances throughout the majority of the game. It was a pretty intense game. We knew that they were going to come out pretty hard in the second half.”
“They were unfortunate goals that we gave up, but at the end of the day there's a lot to be proud of from this game and there's a lot to take away from it. The most important thing for us is just reviewing the game and looking towards the next game, while continuing the momentum that we have. Today was a good performance on our part, just not the result that we wanted.” – Savy King

Interim Head Coach Sam Laity Post game

“I was satisfied with the first half. There were still moments where we really could have punished them. If some decision making around their box had been better, we would have created more goal-scoring opportunities.”
“Three crosses. Three goals. That is why they are champions. This is a good lesson for this young team. You’ve come away to the champion’s [home] in a tough place to play. You’ve done very well for 70 percent of the game. When things got difficult, we lacked a little bit of experience and calmness.”
“That was not a game that we deserved to lose. We will take the positives and learn a lot. That is why they are the champions. That is why they won the Shield and why they won the championship.” - Sam Laity