The Southern California rivalry between San Diego Wave FC and Angel City FC takes on even more importance this week as both teams trying to escape a losing skid.
After winning five consecutive games, San Diego has dropped its last two games, losing to the Portland Thorns (2-0) and Bay FC (1-0). Angel City won its first three games of the season, but has suffered three consecutive losses.
Both their meetings last season ended in 1-1 draws. In their head-to-head meetings in NWSL play, Angel City has a 4-2-4 mark.
“It’s great for the fans, for the supporters, for the cities that we have this rivalry,” Angel City coach Alex Straus said. “It’s a healthy one (rivalry). I’ve been involved in a lot of rivalries, sometimes it’s healthy and sometimes it’s not and I think this one is very healthy and I think when we meet tomorrow, we want to beat them and of course they want to do the same to us.
“It’s a short trip, so we expect a lot of people coming up from San Diego to the game as well. Like I said many times, I’ve been around most stadiums now and when BMO is at its best, we are good on the field and everybody’s good in the stand, it’s nowhere else you have the same atmosphere.”
The challenge for Angel City (3-3, 11 points) has been the attention to details of late. Late goals doomed them in the first loss of the season against the Orlando Pride and then right after the international break against Portland. Last week, Utah scored an early goal, Angel City’s Maiara Niehues was issued a red card, leaving the team with 10 players for the second half of a 1-0 defeat.
Straus expects his group to be tuned in to every aspect Saturday against San Diego (5-3, 15 points).
“San Diego is the next level,” he said. “It’s another challenge for our young team and I believe there is a team that really, really wants to get back on the winning track again.”
Niehues suspended two games
Niehues received a straight red card in last week’s loss against the Utah Royals for “Major Game Misconduct.” The NWSL announced Thursday that, following a “review by the NWSL Disciplinary Committee” Niehues was given an additional game, increasing her suspension to two games.
Niehues will also sit out May 17 against the Portland Thorns.
Emslie back on the active roster
Claire Emslie, one of the original Angel City players, will be available for selection Saturday. Emslie had been on the maternity leave list after giving birth to her son Jamie in December.
“Claire is a huge part of the team,” forward Sveindís Jónsdóttir said. “She’s been training so much since she came back from giving birth and, of course, she was training the whole time while she was pregnant, which is crazy to me, but it’s going to give us so much. She’s a great player and she was smashing it today (Friday) in training.”
Becki Tweed returns
Becki Tweed, who joined Angel City in 2023, served as interim coach and then coach being leaving after the 2024 season, joined San Diego last season as an assistant.
This week, with coach Jonas Eidevall serving a red card, Tweed will be in charge again on the BMO Stadium sideline, but leading a different club.
SAN DIEGO WAVE FC at ANGEL CITY FC
When: 5:45 p.m. Saturday
Where: BMO Stadium
How to watch: ION