ACFC comes up empty in opener vs. expansion Bay FC
LOS ANGELES >> Angel City FC opened the book on the 2024 season, but it wasn't a good chapter.
Bay FC, the Northern California-based expansion team, recorded a historic set of firsts in its inaugural game, including its first win, a 1-0 victory over ACFC on Sunday in front of a soldout crowd of 22,000 at BMO Stadium.
“It was bit of a crazy game,” Angel City coach Becki Tweed said. “We have to be way more ruthless in the box. We created chances. I think we dominated the second half. I think it took us way too long to get into the game; I think 34 minutes before we really started to play.
“I don't think you saw the real us in the first 34 minutes. I do think you saw glimpses of what to come in the second half.”
Bay FC, who joined the NWSL this season with Utah Royals FC, didn't wait around until the “real” Angel City FC showed up.
Up next: Angel City FC at Orlando Pride, Friday, 5 p.m., Prime Video
THE SCORE BAY FC 1, ANGEL CITY FC 0
High-profile signing Asisat Oshoala, who joined the club from Barcelona, scored the first goal in club history in the 17th minute.
In the second half, Angel City came out and turned up the pressure on the Bay FC defense, but goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx withstood the heat.
The final stat sheet paints a picture that Angel City dominated (18 total shots, eight on target, 142 passes in the final third and 12 corner kicks won), but none of it resulted in a goal.
“Angel City was very dangerous in both halves,” Bay FC coach Albertin Montoya said. “They tested us in so many ways, but what I'm the most proud of is the heart and passion the team played with. We didn't break ... we bended quite a few times, it's just inspiring. First win for our franchise and they won it because they believed in themselves.”
As the clock ticked toward the 90th minute, Angel City had another chance at the equalizer. Messiah Bright made a run down the right and her shot was redirected by Sydney Leroux, but instead of going into the goal, it deflected off of Proulx and toward the goal line. But Bay FC defender Caprice Dydasco was there for the clearance.
Early in the six minutes of stoppage time, ACFC came close again, but M.A. Vignola's shot hit the crossbar.
“I think we kind of beat ourselves,” midfielder Merritt Mathias said. “I think we had a bunch of opportunities to either tie the game up or go ahead. I just it's just being ruthless ... just having that bit of edge back and knowing that it's not always going to be pretty, it's going to take a lot of effort, you've got to want to do the little things, the gritty things, a little bit more than the other team. I think we're a good side, we have a lot of room to grow. There's a lot of talent on this team and what we can put together in the weeks to come, I'm really excited about.
“There were moments were it's really good soccer and we have to build off of those moments.”
The game was also the pro debut for a pair of ACFC teenagers. Kennedy Fuller, 17, started in midfield and was replaced in the 92nd minute. Also, Gisele Thompson, 18, the younger sister of Alyssa Thompson, came on as a sub in the 82nd minute, replacing Alyssa.
Angel City will return to action next Friday at Orlando Pride, for the first of three consecutive games on the road.
“It sucks to lose your home opener, that's not how you want to start the season, but there were a lot of positive takeaways,” Angel City defender Sarah Gorden said. “We felt like in the second half we created a lot of good chances, we moved the ball well and ultimately it didn't go our way today, this is the NWSL, that's how it goes sometimes, but I think we are proud of where we can take this season.”