LOS ANGELES — The early stages of the Angel City FC-San Diego Wave FC rivalry has proven to be difficult to call, like a tightly-contested election race.
Entering the first meeting of the 2024 season on Thursday night, each team had three wins and two draws.
In front of 19,103 at BMO Stadium, two of the league’s less-than-lethal offenses battled to a scoreless draw in a match that saved its best nervous moments for the late stages. The draw leaves Angel City with a 1-2-1 record at home.
Just before the end of the nine minutes of stoppage time, San Diego nearly snatched the three points. Off a free kick, Emily Van Edmond’s header from near the penalty spot hit the crossbar and the rebound came to Alex Morgan and her header was swatted away by Angel City goalkeeper DiDi Haračić.
Haračić was credited with five saves for the night.
“Story of our season,” San Diego coach Casey Stoney said. “I thought we created a lot, still bitterly disappointed to walk away with a point. Our best chances didn’t hit the target.”
Angel City (3-5-2, 11 points) almost found a game-winning goal early in stoppage time. Alyssa Thompson made a darting run through the middle and laid it off to her right to M.A. Vignola. Vignola’s shot across the goal was kicked away by San Diego goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan.
“The goal was to keep it out of the back of the net,” Haračić said. “The entire team showed a lot of grit to get a point. It shows the depth we have on this team. We missed (injured) Sarah (Gorden), she’s a big piece of our team, but at the end of the day, I’m confident in whoever steps on the field.”
The game was Angel City’s first without vice captain and starting center back Gorden, who suffered an ankle injury last week.
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This was the third shutout that Haračić and Angel City have recorded this season, the last coming against the North Carolina Courage (April 21).
That moment gave Angel City some life as it earned three consecutive corner kicks. Neither one put San Diego (3-4-3, 12 points) under any serious pressure.
The game was scoreless at halftime, which probably should have been expected, considering how much both teams have struggled offensively this season. San Diego had just nine goals through its first nine games, while Angel City had scored 11 through its first nine.
The teams will meet twice more this season. The second regular-season meeting is Aug. 24 in San Diego. Three weeks before that, they will meet in the NWSL/Liga MX Summer Cup on Aug. 1 at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium.
With the upcoming international break, Angel City will be off until June 8 against NJ/NY Gotham FC.