In a wild back and forth match, it was Angel City that survived the evening.
Determined to put last week’s disappointing season opener behind them, Angel City got out in front late in the first half on a Claire Emslie penalty. However, just like last week, it allowed it’s opponent, in this case Orlando, to find an equalizer. However, this time, Angel City preserved, took the match all the way to the final minute of stoppage time, and Katie Johnson’s header off a corner enabled Angel City to get its first win of the season 2-1 at Exploria Stadium.
The moment came for Angel City in the final minute of stoppage time, as Emslie sent a corner kick into the penalty area at the near post and Johnson used her 5-9 frame to her advantage, as she jumped and headed a ball past three Pride players as well as keeper Anna Moorhouse into the back net that put Angel City ahead for good.
Angel City jumped ahead in the 39th minute. Savannah McCaskill split the Orlando defense with a through ball and Alyssa Thompson broke for goal. Thompson got inside the penalty area, but was clipped from behind by Emily Madrill, referee Danielle Chesky blew her whistle and signaled Angel City to the penalty spot. Emslie converted the penalty to stake Angel City to the lead.
Angel City took the lead into the halftime break, but Orlando eventually equalized in the 51st minute. The Pride capitalized on a bad pass and Eryka Tymrak sprung Messiah Bright towards the penalty spot, Bright dribbled in between two Angel City defenders and slotted the shot past Keeper Didi Haracic to tie the match. Angel City did have a chance to retake the lead in the 86th minute, as a shot by Dani Weatherholt went off the hand of Haley McCutcheon, who was inside the penalty area. The handball was later confirmed and Angel City was heading back to the spot and Emslie again looking to convert. Moorhouse however guessed right, as they stopped the penalty with out a rebound chance.
