{"id":16330,"date":"2025-06-07T21:51:06","date_gmt":"2025-06-08T04:51:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/los-angeles\/?p=16330"},"modified":"2025-06-07T21:51:06","modified_gmt":"2025-06-08T04:51:06","slug":"angel-city-fc-earns-draw-against-chicago-stars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/los-angeles\/angel-city-fc-earns-draw-against-chicago-stars\/","title":{"rendered":"Angel City FC Earns Draw Against Chicago Stars"},"content":{"rendered":"

Angel City FC Rallies for a Point in Draw Against Chicago Stars<\/h1>\n

Introduction to the Match<\/h2>\n

LOS ANGELES \u2014 Alex Straus was put through all of the levels in the wild Angel City Football Club experience in his debut Saturday night.
\nStraus, who took over June 1, saw Angel City score first, then fall behind on two second-half goals, but the night was eventually saved.<\/p>\n

The Turning Point of the Game<\/h2>\n

In the 80th minute, M.A. Vignola, who moments earlier avoided having a handball violation called against her, which would have led to a Chicago penalty, scored the equalizer that allowed Angel City (4-4-3, 15 points) to salvage a point in a 2-2 draw in front of 17,538 at BMO Stadium.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think going down 2-1, I think there were definitely some high emotions and that\u2019s kind of the point in the game where you can either deal with what\u2019s happening or you can kind of slow down a bit,\u201d Vignola said. \u201cI think we took time to regroup, came in together and we\u2019re like, we\u2019re not backing down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chicago’s Near Victory<\/h2>\n

Chicago, despite being last in the league, took a 2-1 lead in the second half on a long-distance strike by Aly Schegel that ducked just under the bar in the 66th minute.
\nThe Stars thought they would have had a chance to take a two-goal lead. In the 70th minute, in a scrum to clear the ball from out of the front of their goal, the ball came up and hit Vignola\u2019s hand, but after going to the video monitor, the referee didn\u2019t give the penalty, and gave Angel City some much-needed life.<\/p>\n

Key Moments in the Game<\/h2>\n

Vignola joked that she had confidence that the call wouldn\u2019t be given.
\nAfter the game was tied, both teams had chances for the winner. Late in stoppage time, Chicago\u2019s Shea Groom hit the post.
\nEven later in stoppage time, Angel City\u2019s Christen Press forced a save on a difficult-angled shot.<\/p>\n

Player Contributions<\/h2>\n

Kennedy Fuller was away earlier in the week in Costa Rica with the U.S. U-20s competing in the CONCACAF Championships. Saturday, she was back home with Angel City FC, in the starting lineup, scoring Angel City\u2019s opening goal in the 29th minute.
\nIt might go down as one of the easier goals that Fuller will score. A failed clearance by a Chicago defender left the ball just outside the 6-yard box, which Fuller tapped in for a 1-0 lead.
\nThe Stars got their equalizer in the 58th minute as Nadia Gomes\u2019 shot was deflected, slightly off of Angel City defender M.A. Vignola\u2019s foot and came down just outside of goalkeeper Angelina Anderson\u2019s outstretched arm and into the net to make it 1-1.<\/p>\n

Coach’s Perspective<\/h2>\n

\u201cIn the second half, you see how they scored, we can\u2019t let that happen,\u201d Straus said. \u201cAfter that, we came back.\u201d
\nAngel City will return back home Saturday against the North Carolina Courage. That will be the final home game before the NWSL break.
\nThe teams will conclude the regular season against each other Nov. 2.<\/p>\n

Notable Attendees<\/h2>\n

Savy King Returns to BMO Stadium<\/h3>\n

Defender Savy King attended the game, watching from a suite. King, who joined Angel City in an offseason trade with Bay FC, made her first appearance since she collapsed May 9 against the Utah Royals. King underwent heart surgery days after she collapsed. She is out on \u201cmedical leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The match between Angel City FC and Chicago Stars ended in a 2-2 draw, with Angel City rallying back from a 2-1 deficit to secure a point. The team’s determination and resilience were on full display, and they will look to carry this momentum into their next game against the North Carolina Courage.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n