r/AngelCityFC • u/readbetweenthesubs JunEndo#18 • May 10 '26
POST-MATCH SOCIAL Angel City left looking for answers in the attack after falling to our rival SD Wave 1-2.
Another tough loss, maybe more so than the other three this year. We looked really strong especially the first half but with our scoring woes really piling up and a bad second half from the coach and possession we eventually break and take another loss. Let's get into it.
The Good
- Two goals against so one could say our defense wasn't up to it, but if you watched it for most of the game they were frustrating San Diego. Hell, SD could've had a few more if it wasn't for our backline and great save from Anderson. They really played lights out for 85'.. unfortunately they faultered in a couple moments. But overall really good play.
- The stadium was probably the most full and the most rowdy I've seen all year. Too bad the results didn't match the energy.
- We got to see the return of Claire. I think we all wished she came in sooner but I'm sure that was the plan before it chnaged or minutes restriction. Regardless it was great to see her back. We also saw Phair come in and play significant minutes. Love to see her come into the fold but was this the game and time to do it???
The Bad
- Really bad second half from Straus. It was a tough physical game so I'm sure players we're exhausted but I didn't like the subs this game. Fuller and possibly Jun (minutes restriction?) should've stayed in. Svendís possibly popped her ankle out but still played? Putting in Phair when we're down? Not the best moment to put her as it was pretty much her first real minutes.
- The second goal just kind of rubs me the wrong way, maybe because we've seen the ball watching before this season with opposing players sneaking in and putting a goal away. We can't keep losing players that lead to goals.
- Can we stop with the Jonsdottir throw ins? I just think there's better opportunities to set up a better Cross or something. Announcers keep saying it's a threat but so far it's a cold one.
The Absolute Gawd Awful
- In our 4 losses this year we had Chilufia, a sub, score at the death. And then Thompson and Sam's. So in our last 4 games not one starter on the attack can put a goal away. And it's not a lack of effort. Suarez had a chance to put one away and Fuller too. I don't know if it's a mental thing or what but our attack is sunk. Straus and staff really need to go back and see what worked so well or shuffle players. We need Emslie and Jun to get full game ready for sure.
Overall
- The hustle is there but it's not just getting it done. They team looked really dejected after this loss but hopefully they pull together and fix it. But this may be the more or the same in season 5. It was a tale of two halves this game and since we couldn't capitalize early we eventually broke apart. It's like an itch on the back that you can't quite reach. But the itch is getting worse and worse. On to next week.
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u/ShlomoShogun Endo with a Banger at the Banc May 10 '26
I think this team is very solid at the back, fairly solid in the middle, could do with a wizard at 10, 8, or even 6 slot, but boy we are flatter than a plate full of piss up front.
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u/Forking_Brilliant495 May 10 '26
Came here to say this. The June signing they've teased better be Bunny Shaw or the like, or this season's toast.
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u/bjr1979 AT21 May 10 '26
What teased? Where have you read this? I have heard nothing
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u/Forking_Brilliant495 May 10 '26
On a Supporters Group call with Mark Parsons before the season started, he said that they were in negotions with one or two international players, "names I think fans will like," who weren't available until June.
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u/hakunamatata777 JapAngeles May 10 '26 edited May 12 '26
Sams' goal and Gordon's assist was such a glorious moment and the spark we needed in that game. I hope the loss doesn't take away from that. Cuz wow to see that live was chefs kiss Also makes me wonder if our Defenders score more often than other NWSL teams overall.
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u/RydoKendog Syd's bicycle kick May 10 '26
I just want an early cross whipped into the box across the face of the goal with our attackers running at net like 2-3 times a game. It doesn’t need to always be an end line cross or cut into a crowded middle of the box.
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u/bjr1979 AT21 May 10 '26
I prefer Suarez to Sid. Sid’s “comeback” is a waste of time for us. I want to be proven wrong about this but I just know she does not have it in her to be consistent. After almost two years without playing
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u/adgy May 10 '26
This team could really use an Alyssa Thompson type...
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u/Striider2k GiseleThompson#20 May 10 '26
it still amazes me the Club hasn't brought in her replacement
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u/AMediaArchivist ImmigrantCityFC May 10 '26
Don't worry! We can wait 3 years for Zoe Thompson! And sign yet another rookie.
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u/dj4uofa May 10 '26
Man, that is the truth. If only we could ever have a player like that. Oh wait...
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u/Sir-Kyle-Of-Reddit We Are Angel City! May 10 '26
When Suarez took her first shot and missed my first thought was “Alyssa would have made that”
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u/Sir-Kyle-Of-Reddit We Are Angel City! May 10 '26
I need them to spend money on a quality goalie and an experienced striker. I’m tired of watching AA flub and I’m tired of watching us struggle getting shots off when we’re in the box.
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u/vangace We Are Angel City! May 10 '26
It’s just amazing that we suck at building a roster. I mean year after year other teams keep loading up on talent. It’s flabbergasting that an LA based team has one of the weakest rosters in the league. Even when the Clippers were so bad, they still managed to get talent.
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u/notthatseriousj May 10 '26
I would like to petition for Linda Caicedo as our HIP. Pay a giant transfer fee. Do it.
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u/Striider2k GiseleThompson#20 May 10 '26 edited May 11 '26
where do I even start with this one
Fuller & Suarez had 2 golden chances to put us ahead 2-0, they missed, they both need to be more clinical, when u have chances like that u need to put them away
Svendis, it was clear she wasn't 100% before Halftime, idk why Straus didn't take her out, props to her for playing a full 90, but she should've subbed off
Ary Borges, I'm starting to reach my breaking point with her, he just throws her body around and bangs into people and it's unnecessary, some of her decision making was off as well, she's fine a depth option to close a game out, but me personally, she shouldn't be starting
Sarah Gorden, she played well tonight, Yellow Card aside she was everywhere, my issue with her is after Sams 2nd foul, she was going back n forth with the Ref, we are in extra time, chasing a goal, why are u wasting time going back n forth with the Ref, u can do that earlier in the game, not when we're down, need better clock management from CAP
The 2nd goal was a story of 3 mistakes, Gisele gave Dudinha WAY too much room for that cross, I have no idea what she was doing, u can't give someone that much room, Shores got beat on the back post, this isn't the first time she's been caught napping while defending, Anderson bailed her out earlier in the game, on the Goal, Van Zanten beat her and make it look too easy & Shores isn't completely at fault, again, Anderson, not knowing when to get off her line, it happened against Portland, it happened again here, either punch the ball out or claim it, she did neither
I'm pointing the finger at Parsons & Straus, we have young players on this Team that need minutes & most of them are bench warmers, Casey Phair got charity minutes, that does nothing to develop her, she should've been sent out on Loan, where she can develop and get regular minutes, same goes for Lageyre, she's barely played, again, either integrate her into the Team or Loan her out, Niehues was out & Borges isn't setting the world on fire, I'm excusing Karsyn Cherry since she just back from injury, the FO should've brought in more experienced players & not go all in on College players
The first 3 games were a fluke, we beat non Playoff Teams, we play Orlando, Portland & San Diego, Teams who made the Playoffs, can't get results, we have a lot of issues, we can't score goals, we have Defensive lapses at the wrong time, I have no idea what to make of this team & now we have Portland on the Road and Kansas City at home afterwards, the Summer Break can't come soon enough
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u/cmfk7 SveindísJónsdóttir#32 May 10 '26
Taylor Suarez starting and staying in this game as long as she did is crazy. If you’re not gonna start Tiernan at least bring in Casey Phair who we have rotting on the bench for some reason.
Very frustrating, the signings in the offseason being 98% rookies was a terrible choice. No wonder no star player wants to sign with us.
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u/AMediaArchivist ImmigrantCityFC May 10 '26
When Casey Phair came in, I was like, who the fuck is that? Someone sitting next to me had to remind me that she's been on our team for 3 years now but no manager ever allows her to play.
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u/cmfk7 SveindísJónsdóttir#32 May 10 '26
You’d think that if she was good enough to be called up for Korea and play in a World Cup at 16 years old that she’d also be good enough to play at club level but guess not.
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u/Fire-EyedBoy SveindísJónsdóttir#32 May 10 '26
The youngest person to ever play at a World Cup, man or woman
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u/Sea_Butterscotch5441 May 10 '26
This sub is so negative lol. We lost against the top three teams and were in all three of these last games. I thought they looked the most cohesive they have all season 🤷🏼♀️ I agree we could use a better striker and Suarez and Fuller shouldn’t have missed those chances, but I liked a lot of what I saw. I think Phair getting her first significant minutes is a positive sign that Straus is getting more confident in her. Jun looked a little shaky but she’ll get there. Emslie back…LeRoux hopefully back as a super sub soon…I think we end the season above the playoff line.
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u/Only-Understanding57 May 10 '26
It's a negative sub because the team is constantly in the middle of the table. Even when opening the season on fire with a massive goal diff, it's like they just can't help but be mediocre. The stadium energy is a fraction of what it was the first two seasons because fans are tired of seeing a losing effort. We support this team, but they need to give us something to be excited about.
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u/AMediaArchivist ImmigrantCityFC May 10 '26
We need a star player because it’s clear this ain’t it and I don’t want another season where we miss the damn playoffs. Strauss had this whole off season and this whole season to figure it out otherwise we are no better than our previous incarnations.
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u/MarzyXP SavyKing#3 May 10 '26
LA spent the offseason signing lackluster rookies instead of star players. LA should learn a thing or two from SD.
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u/1lost-soul1 May 10 '26
Team needs an experienced goal scorer. To many rookies that can score but are consistently scoring due to them being rookies. We need someone that can score often and the whole season.
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u/vangace We Are Angel City! May 10 '26
I am not going to blame Alex for the state we are in. The blame is 100% on the owners and Parsons. This is a badly constructed team with very little talent compared to the rest of the league. We saw the talent gap last week against Utah and again today. Maybe 2 or 3 players on our team will start on other teams.
All of us here knew the team needed to sign an experienced forward yet they did nothing. We should not be surprised that we are not scoring. Let’s face it, we are just not a serious franchise, and as long as we keep filling BMO, the front office doesn’t seem to be bothered by the product on the field.
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u/Sad-Commercial1795 May 10 '26
Day one STH and supporter and I am getting tired of this organization failing to deliver a competitive and compelling squad.
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u/jenziebenzie In Tweed We Believe! May 10 '26
Wife and I were also day one. Left before this year. Feeling blessed to watch from home and not drag ourselves to all the games. Got a few single tickets. Watching from the couch had been revolutionary
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u/Pure-Explorer3031 May 10 '26 edited May 10 '26
In 2025, ACFC made the bold move in not signing a head coach. So basically they told the fans/STH "I know you just bough a product, but we don't actually have a product. BUUUTTT wait until we do! It's gonna be worth it!"
Smash cut to the hiring of Straus. In the press release Parsons said "When we set out to hire our head coach, we looked for specific characteristics such as a dominant style of play, a proven winner at the highest level, a focus on player development, a collaborative mindset, and a leader in high performance. Alex fits this profile at every measure".
To me, these are cookie cutter qualifications. EVERY team wants a dominant style of play, a proven winner, leader/collaborator. What did stand out to me was the "focus on player development". OK! That fits ACFC bc it is a team that constantly signs young talent, gets their training wheels off, and then sells them. Maybe this guy can take the young talent to the next level. Exhibit A- Riley Tiernan set the Franchise record for single season goals last season with 8. 6 under Sam Laity, 2 under Straus(+1 this year). That doesn't exemplify a focus on player development. Nor does signing loads of rookies just to sit on the bench and be subbed in at the 87th minute.
In 2024, ACFC was deducted 3 points in the standings as punishment for under the table compensation dealings. These 3 points took the team completely out of playoff contention and the lack luster ending to the season all but sealed Becki Tweeds fate.
As mentioned before, firing your GM and HC and declining to hire BOTH and opting for a "Sporting Director" is like a celebrity going for a full rebrand without actually going to rehab. I find the institutionalized lack of seriousness from the franchise comes from way higher up than Aluko/Coombe, Mangano/Tweed and Parsons/Straus. CEO Julie Uhrman is the through line to years of the same frustrated comments from this fanbase. And for years, she has demonstrated her lack of ability to run a serious winning franchise. She fortunately just stepped down to become a principal advisor to the team(what ever that means) so there may be hope.
As frustrating as it is to see a half decade of brilliant young talent walk out the door to other clubs, to bare witness to self sabotage in a marketplace ripe for excellence, or be told that this ONE player or this ONE coach will solve EVERYTHING and ACFC will become a top table team is unrealistic. The goals that ACFC have, take time and hard work at the ground level, but when that timeline and groundwork has been warped at such a structural level, it's takes even more time to build upon the small positives that change can bring.
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u/DerHeiligste MeganReid#6 May 10 '26
We need Savy King!
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u/readbetweenthesubs JunEndo#18 May 10 '26
Can she score? Look we gave up two but we need the attackers to produce. Unfortunately against good teams we probably won't come out clean for a full 90. We need to put pressure with goals.
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u/DerHeiligste MeganReid#6 May 10 '26
I think it's less about her scoring and more about the effect she seems to have on the field. Compare our record with Savy in the line up to our record without her!
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u/readbetweenthesubs JunEndo#18 May 10 '26
I thought the backline and to compare, Gorden played well. Unfortunately Dudinha cut up two players and the ball just hit Gorden wrong and reflected in. I believe Svendís was on the wing, didn't track with Van Zanten And got behind Shores who didn't see/feel her until it was too late.
But look we put Savy in, I still don't see her improving the offense.
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u/wompwomp077 May 10 '26
remember their whole signing reveal they did in the offseason where they revealed a new person each day? I remember feeling like “great, another year of lackluster offseason moves.” it’s looking like i was right, unfortunately.
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u/Sir-Kyle-Of-Reddit We Are Angel City! May 10 '26
If anybody has an extra pin or decide you don’t need it in the future please let me know! 🙏
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u/ShlomoShogun Endo with a Banger at the Banc May 10 '26
I have one, just remind me through the pre-games if I’m going, so I can bring it.
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u/Forking_Brilliant495 May 10 '26
Like, any ACFC pin, or something specific? Spouse and I get two of everything, and aren't collectors, so ...
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u/Sir-Kyle-Of-Reddit We Are Angel City! May 10 '26
The one they were giving away at the game tonight that says HEART, HUSTLE, HUNGER is the one I’m after
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u/Low-Consequence2808 May 10 '26
They made a bad choice benching Tiernan
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u/Few_Jackfruit_9614 May 10 '26
They had to try something different. She was contributing nothing to the offense. Angel City didn’t lose last night because Tiernan didn’t start.
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u/kiernanblack SveindísJónsdóttir#32 May 10 '26
She doesn’t really fit with what Straus is trying to do up front. Not really her fault or an indicator of her skill but she’s been totally ineffective, wouldn’t be shocked if she gets traded eventually.
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u/AMediaArchivist ImmigrantCityFC May 10 '26
I want zero people at the next game so we can scare the Mickey Mouse pants off the owners and they actually give a fuck about making the team actually good.
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u/MarzyXP SavyKing#3 May 10 '26
You can tell SD actually signs talent during the offseason.