**LOS ANGELES, Calif.** – Angel City FC held on to defeat OL Reign, 2-1, behind goals from Clarisse Le Bihan and Madison Hammond. A late penalty kick from Reign attacker Megan Rapinoe would ultimately not be enough to spark a comeback, and the hosts Angel City defeated their West Coast rivals for the first time in the regular season in club history in a landmark victory that keeps the side within reach of the NWSL Playoffs.
The hosts Angel City were hot off the mark and opened the scoring after just 13 minutes when attacker Clarisse Le Bihan put her team up a goal as she finished off a move at the back post. Angel City were thriving down the left side of the field when attacker Scarlett Camberos collected the ball and whipped in a low cross to the back post where Le Bihan was waiting. From there, Le Bihan fired a ball into the back of the net from close range that left Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey with little opportunity to make a save.
Further drama ensued with back-to-back chances for the Reign beginning in the 24 ^th minute. First, forward Jordyn Huitema nearly broke past the defense and would end up forcing a save out of Angel City goalkeeper DiDi Haracic despite a relatively tame effort. However, shouts for a penalty kick came loudly when Angel City forward Alyssa Thompson appeared to have blocked a pass from Reign midfielder Rose Lavelle with her arm. However, no penalty was awarded from the outset, and VAR review confirmed that no penalty would be given in the end.
Into the second half, OL Reign began to really push for a first goal through halftime substitute Megan Rapinoe in the 48 ^th minute. Rapinoe received a ball down the left flank and took a couple of touches toward goal while scanning the horizon for options. She then flashed a quick cross down low toward the near post that forced Haracic into action, but it was far from finding the opening goal thanks to the goalkeeper’s reactions.
Having won a free kick on the other end in the 57 ^th minute, Angel City’s fortunes were doubled when midfielder Madison Hammond tapped home a cross from a set piece from a few yards out to give the home side a two-goal cushion and extend the lead with just over a half-hour to play. Le Bihan was on set piece duty when she swung in a perfectly weighted pass into the middle of the penalty area where Hammond was able to rush onto it. Hammond then saw the ball over the line despite offside protests by the Reign defense, and just like that Angel City were up two.
Of course, the Reign would not go quietly and ended up winning a penalty kick in the 73 ^rd minute as substitute forward Bethany Balcer was judged to have been followed by Camberos in the penalty area. This led to Rapinoe stepping up to take the spot kick, and she was able to sneak her effort under Haracic to the left side of goal to pull a goal back.
However, that goal would stand as the lone tally for the Reign after defender Sofia Huerta was denied a stunning strike in the 85 ^th minute thanks to Haracic’s heroics, and in the end Angel City clung on for a win. The result leaves Angel City in 9 ^th place with 21 points from 17 games played, while OL Reign are in 6 ^th place with 24 points from 17 games played.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights