Angel City rallies to draw San Diego in season opener

A season that both Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC hopes will be a season of redemption started off with mixed results on Sunday evening.

The two Southern California rivals opened the 2025 season against each other at BMO Stadium. San Diego surprised the home side with an early first half goal, but ultimately, Angel City had the last word. Alyssa Thompson’s equalizer followed by some key saves from keeper Angelina Anderson allowed Angel City to salvage the 1-1 draw.

“What we got from the players is what we saw throughout the course of preseason, which is a very resilient team,” Angel City head coach Sam Laity said. “There were times today where we were under pressure and we held strong. The resilience will keep us in good status as we move forward throughout the season.”

Thompson delivered for Angel City in the 54th minute. Kennedy Fuller sprung Thompson down the right side, Thompson took the ball into the penalty area, took one last touch, then slotted a right-footed shot that beat keeper Kailen Sheridan far post to level the match.

“I was able to shift the defender and the keeper and go across goal,” Thompson said of her goal.

Anderson had the next key moments for Angel City. Anderson’s first big save came moments after Thompson’s goal, as Kenza Dali sent a corner kick into the penalty area, Kristen McNabb headed a ball at goal, but Anderson calmly caught the ball. Anderson’s next big save came in the 81st minute, as Melanie Barcenas launched a left-footed volley from almost 30 yards out, Anderson dove to her left to parry the ball, but could not hold on, but fortunately was able to get enough of her right hand on the ball to just get it over the end line.

San Diego got on the board just five minutes into the match. Delphine Cascarino dribbled down the left side into the penalty area, then played a shot cross to the top of the six-yard box and an unmarked Corley came in and buried the shot just outside the six past keeper Angelina Anderson into the back net to give Wave FC a 1-0 lead.

Angel City did its best to respond to the early deficit, with its first best chance coming in the 19th minute, as Thompson dribbled down the left side, took the ball to the end line, sent a ball over the six and Claire Emslie one-timed a right-footed shot right at goal, Sheridan made the save, but left a rebound inside the six, Riley Tiernan tried to capitalize on Angel City’s second chance, but her shot was denied by Sheridan and this time, the San Diego keeper hung on. Angel City’s next best chance came in the 33rd minute, as Emslie sent a perfect forward ball that sprung Thompson towards goal, Thompson tried to round Sheridan, but the keeper just managed to get her right hand on the ball, thus denying a golden opportunity for an early equalizer.

“I think going into the season, we have ‘relentless’ and ‘ruthless’ written on our walls,” Angel City defender Sarah Gorden said. “Those are things we take very seriously, but we constantly make these home games like playing in our fortress. I think that grit and ruthlessness and also knowing we have something special here.” 

Angel City will head out on the road next, as they travel to Portland to face the Thorns.