Angel City FC faces OL Reign again in another road test
Angel City Football Club has yet to find a groove at home this season.
However, on the road, ACFC (2-3-3, nine points) is unbeaten in league competition (1-0-2) and also in their lone Challenge Cup road game this season.
The new level of toughness and grit will be tested again starting today at OL Reign.
“We just have a grittier mentality when we're on the road,” midfielder Dani Weatherholt said. “It's helped us to pick up points on every road game so far. We hope to keep that going and pick up a win this weekend, that's our plan.
“It's nice to pick up a tie on the road and get a point, but we're going for three this weekend.”
ACFC played to a scoreless draw last Saturday on the road against the North Carolina Courage. It wasn't the best showing, but the point for the draw is better than nothing.
“We want to continue working on having more possession,” ACFC coach Freya Coombe said. “Against North Carolina, we didn't have the ball as much as we liked, so that was a focus (during the week).”
Angel City FC will play the Reign for the third this season. The teams have met twice in Challenge Cup play, with the Reign winning one and the other ending in a draw. With this being the first NWSL meeting, the lineups are expected to be more of a first-choice group for the Reign.
“OL Reign has been a consistent team over the last few years,” Coombe said. “I don't think playing them twice this season changes that. They have a consistent playing style. They have consistent lineups and have made a few
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Today: ACFC at OL Reign, 12:30 p.m., Paramount+
changes in the Challenge Cup.
“I anticipate that they'll go back to more of a regular starting lineup on Saturday. We're always anticipating changes, particularly after their game last week against (NJ/NY) Gotham FC. They may look to change things up a little bit.”
Gotham handed the Reign a 4-1 defeat last week.
“Although they've been consistent and (coach) Laura (Harvey) has a very consistent style with them, it's important that we go in and take them as they're going to present this week,” Coombe said. “We can't get too comfortable with knowing the opponent completely.
After today, ACFC travels to Portland for a Challenge Cup game Wednesday, so they will have to use that “grittiness” twice in a short period.
“When we're on the road, we do the dirty work, the hard things and have been able to grind out results,” Weatherholt said. “Nothing's changed, travel wise. It's more of a mentality piece.”
Leroux update
Coombe offered another update on Sydney Leroux's return to play.
“She's made some really great strides this week and has become more integrated in team training and we're incredibly pleased with her progress that she's making,” Coombe said of the forward, who underwent ankle surgery last year. “She's very motivated, very determined to get back on the field and it's very close and we're excited to have her back.”