Match Recap: Reign FC Falls 2-1 to Angel City FC

The Reign fell 2-1 to Angel City FC in their second consecutive road match on Sunday evening. After climbing their way back from a one-goal deficit in the first half, the Reign conceded a 63rd minute goal and faced their first defeat of the season.

Angel City FC got the match rolling quickly, putting together a dangerous attack in the very first minute of action. Forward Kennedy Fuller took a shot to test Claudia Dickey in goal for the Reign, but Dickey saw the shot wide, keeping the game level.

The Reign answered back two minutes later with a dangerous attack of their own, forced by an energetic high press. Midfielder Ji So-Yun dispossessed Angel City, aided by forward Maddie Dahlien. Dahlien recorded the Reign’s first shot of the night on the play but couldn’t quite keep it on frame.

The home side opened the scoring in the eighth minute of the match, from the foot of forward Alyssa Thompson. The young attacker received a threaded ball in behind from Fuller and dribbled into the 18-yard box before finding the back of the net.

Responding immediately, Seattle forward Ana-Maria Crnogorčević won a penalty kick when she was knocked down by Angel City defender Gisele Thompson on the edge of the box. Ji stepped up to the spot to take the kick and was cool as ever as she buried the ball confidently into the right side of the net to bring the game level.

For the rest of the second half, the Reign were forced to defend a flurry of fast attacks from Angel City. Dickey made a total of three saves as Angel City held over 64% of possession in the half.

After the halftime break, the Reign made the opening substitutions of the match in the 61st minute. Bringing new energy to the pitch, defender Shae Holmes and forwards Emeri Adames and Nérilia Mondésir subbed on and made an immediate impact. Not even a minute after stepping onto the field, Mondésir nearly took the lead for the Reign with her first shot, but the ball trickled just wide.

In the 63rd minute, Angel City retook the lead when an attacking play led to forward Claire Emslie serving a ball into the box to the head of forward Riley Tiernan, who directed her shot on target.

The Reign searched for an equalizer for the rest of the second half, taking three shots and earning one corner kick, but the 2-1 scoreline held until the final whistle.

UP NEXT: The Reign are back home on Saturday, April 12 to take on the Orlando Pride. Get tickets to attend the match in person HERE.