ACFC allows a late goal, forced to settle for draw

LOS ANGELES » It was almost the best of both worlds for the Angel City Football Club fans Friday night.

Angel City (4-4-2) scored in the second minute and held the lead until late into stoppage time and was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against the Portland Thorns in front of 17,492 at the Banc of California Stadium.

Yazmeen Ryan scored the equalizer late into stoppage time to steal a point for the Thorns.

In the 64th minute newly acquired Sydney Leroux came on as a sub to replace Miri Taylor. Leroux, who starred at UCLA from 2008-2011 and went on to become a fixture with the U.S. women's national team, was traded to Angel City on Wednesday from the Orlando Pride.

Leroux had been sidelined since June 3 with an ankle injury. This wasn't her first time playing at the Banc of California Stadium this season. She scored the only goal in a 1-0 Orlando win over Angel City on May 8.

Her presence was cheered wildly throughout the night whenever she appeared on the video board before and during the game.

Angel City didn't waste much time jumping on

ANGEL CITY 1, PORTLAND 1

Up next: San Diego Wave FC at Angel City FC, July 9, 7:30 p.m., Paramount+

the board. Inside the first minute, forward Miri Taylor was fouled in the penalty area and the referee awarded Angel City an penalty kick.

McCaskill stepped up and her first attempt was blocked by Portland goalkeeper Shelby Hogan, but McCaskill followed up on the rebound and scored for an early 1-0 lead.

That's where the game remained heading into halftime.

Defensively, Angel City, even with a makeshift backline, held strong against the late Portland charge, until that final offensive charge of the game.

The teams met June 3 with the Thorns winning 3-0. They split their two meetings during the preseason Challenge Cup.

Both teams were limited due to either international call-ups or injuries.

Angel City went into the international break following a 1-0 loss to OL Reign (June 18).

Angel City was missing Vanessa Gilles (Canada) and Allyson Swaby (Jamaica) for the Concacaf Championships that begin Monday, Cari Roccaro and Madison Hammond were out due to COVID protocol and Simone Charley (achilles) and Jasmyne Spencer (knee) were still out.

The starting lineup had a different look with Lily Nabet making her first start, along with Taylor and Clarisse LeBihan starting at forward.

PHOTOS BY RAUL ROMERO JR, Angel City FC midfielder Savannah McCaskill, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the second minute against the Portland Thorns on Friday night.

Angel City FC goalkeeper Didi Haracic leaps to block a goal attempt by the Portland Thorns during the first half of Friday's NWSL match at Banc of California Stadium.