Angelina Anderson saves Angel City FC in draw with Gotham FC

LOS ANGELES — Angelina Anderson played the role of hero for Angel City Football Club Sunday.

In a scoreless game against first-place Gotham FC, Anderson stared down and came up with a save on Guro Reiten’s potential game-winning penalty kick attempt, eventually preserving a point for Angel City (7-7-5, 26 points)

Anderson was credited with four saves in the game and recorded her sixth shutout of the season.

In the 87th minute, Angel City’s Sarah Gorden was ruled to have committed a handball infraction. The referee didn’t rule it immediately, but did after being called over to the video review monitor.

That put Reiten and Anderson into the spotlight.

Reiten stepped up, sent the kick to Anderson’s right and Anderson came up with the save to preserve the scoreless draw in front of 15,860 at Dignity Health Sports Park.

“It’s just tunnel vision at that point,” Anderson said. “You have to forget about the call, forget about if it’s the right call and just kind of lock in. I think that’s the biggest thing for me. In those moments, my mentality and mindset is so strong and confident. It’s almost like a  delusional confidence, like I will save this no matter what.’

“I read her run-up and I committed.”

As for the video review, the Pro Referee Organization said in a statement that it “was for a handling offense after review due to her hand being in an unnatural position, and away from her body.”

While that was a big relief, the game wasn’t over there.

It wasn’t over there, though. In the 90th minute, Gotham’s Sam Kerr nearly broke the deadlock with a shot from atop the 18-yard box, but it hit the post.

Angel City has had its troubles against Gotham in its brief history. Entering Sunday, Angel City had only one win (in 2022) and a scoreless draw (2023) to show as their positive performances against the East Coast super team.

Earlier, Gotham’s first best chance came in the 58th minute as Sam Kerr found a bit of space and shot for goal, but Anderson was able to go low to her right and keep the ball out.

Anderson was again pressed into action in the 72nd minute when Jordynn Dudley had a shot just outside the box that Anderson smothered. The shot was targeted for the right corner.

“We were disappointed with the first half,” Gotham FC interim coach Shaun Harris said. “Coming in after the first half, we talked about needing to tidying things up and I thought the second half, we were a lot better, created more chances.

“In regards to the penalty, it just wasn’t our night.”

The showdown with Gotham FC turned into the soccer version of an old-fashioned pitcher’s duel that was expected when you have two of the stingiest defenses in the league facing off.

Entering Sunday, Gotham had allowed 13 goals in 20 games, while Angel City had allowed just 20 in 18 games.

Gotham FC and USWNT fans received a scare in the 36th minute when midfielder Rose Lavelle went down in a collision with Gorden. Lavelle was attended to by the training staff and eventually got up to her feet and walked back to the locker room.

Harris said after the game that he didn’t have an update on Lavelle.

Angel City heads out on a three-city road trip, starting Wednesday against North Carolina Courage, followed by a visit from expansion team Boston Legacy FC, Aug. 31 and then concluding against Racing Louisville FC, Sept. 5.  The next home game is Sept. 11 against Denver Summit FC.