Angel City FC notches draw against San Diego Wave FC

Fans cheer after ACFC score goal against the San Diego Wave FC during the second half of an NWSL match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 16, 2025. The match ended in 1-1 draw. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

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LOS ANGELES — The start wasn’t the best of times for Angel City FC in Sunday’s season opener.

Visiting San Diego Wave FC opened the scoring in the fifth minute by Gia Corley before most of the 19,728 at BMO Stadium had settled into their seats for the late-afternoon kick.

Angel City FC would settle in and create its own moments, finally finding the equalizer in the 54th minute from Alyssa Thompson, leaving the teams even for the rest of the night, ending with a 1-1 draw.

“I think the season opener is, that is always, always a really, really difficult one,” interim coach Sam Laity said. “You’re not sure what you’re going to get. You spent eight weeks in preseason, you’ve seen the version of yourself, and you know everyone’s got a plan ’till you get punched in the face. So, today exposed us in areas that was good for us and for us moving forward.”

Laity talked about the team’s resiliency and that helped Thompson on the game-tying goal. Early in the game, Thompson found herself in a 1v1 spot with San Diego goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan. Thompson tried to make a move around Sheridan, but she lost the ball as Sheridan went down and got a hand on the ball.

“I feel like they were pretty similar because it was a ball in behind on the right side, and I’ve been playing a lot on the left, so getting the first look was definitely different,” Thompson said. “If I’m 1v1 with the goalie, I should be scoring, so I tried to dribble around her. I think I could have done it quicker or just gone near post initially. With my second goal, I was able to shift the defender and the keeper and go across the goal.”

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Although the game didn’t end in a win, Angel City feels there is room for improvement, especially on the attacking side.

“When we had our attacking shape, we caused San Diego a lot of problems,” Laity said. “When we had our attacking shape right in preseason games, we caused the opponent a lot of problems. So, the first thing we have to do is make sure that we do that on a more regular basis because that’s who we are. When we got into our shape that we needed to be in, we caused San Diego problems, but we didn’t do it enough.”

Angel City finished in 12th place last season. The team will be back in action Friday on the road against the Portland Thorns.

Sydney Leroux steps away from soccer

The season started with a big blow for Angel City as forward Sydney Leroux announced she was taking a break from soccer to focus on her mental health. She did say that she would return.

“This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to say or admit to myself,” she said in an Instagram post late Saturday night. “But after a lot of reflection, I’ve made the difficult decision to step away from soccer for my mental health. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a fighter – I always have been. I take pride in showing up, in giving everything I have, but right now, I owe it myself and my children to take a step back and take care of me.

“I’ve always prided myself on being honest, authentic and true to who I am both on and off the field and this moment is no different. To everyone who has supported me, loved me and believed in me – thank you. This isn’t goodbye, I will be back, just like always in true Syd fashion.

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Leroux scored seven goals last season. Last October, she signed a three-year contract extension through 2027.

The club said it supports Leroux in her decision, adding, “As an organization, we deeply value the importance of our players’ mental health and well-being, and we are with her every step of the way.”

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