After a month out of the starting lineup, goalkeeper Angelina Anderson has started the last two games for Angel City FC.
Anderson was sidelined with a broken toe, coach Alex Straus said following last week’s 2-2 draw against the Washington Spirit.
“We have two very good goalkeepers, that’s a position I’m not worried about,” Straus said of Anderson and Hannah Seabert. “Hannah came in and played four games and proved that she’s ready to compete with Ang for the position going forward.”
Anderson was credited with a career-high seven saves against the Spirit. Against North Carolina on Sept. 13, she made five saves in the 2-1 loss. It was her first start in a month.
“Ang got injured, but she had played really well for us. She played solid all season. She broke a toe and then we had to make a change,” Straus said. “When she was back, Hannah deserved to play a couple more games and then we had to find the timing (to switch back). Now, I have two goalkeepers, who never lost their (starting) spot.”
Final stretch
Angel City (6-9-6, 24 points) enters Saturday’s road game against Racing Louisville FC in 11th place, four points behind North Carolina, which currently owns the eighth and final playoff spot.
Houston and Racing Louisville (7-9-5) are tied with 26 points in ninth and 10th place, respectively.
After Saturday, Angel City will be down to four games remaining, with the next three at BMO Stadium (Kansas City Current on Oct. 6, Houston Dash on Oct. 12 and Portland Thorns on Oct. 19).
The final game of the regular season will come after the international break on Nov. 2 on the road against the Chicago Stars.
Press, Vignola available
Christen Press and M.A. Vignola missed Angel City’s game against Washington due to illness.
Straus said Thursday both were able to train and will be available.
“That gives us more options,” Straus said.
Thompson, Tiernan in top five
Gisele Thompson is tied with four others for the NWSL lead with five assists. Thompson has played in 18 games.
Riley Tiernan is tied with two others for fourth in the league with eight goals. Tiernan has already set the club’s single-season goal record. Gotham FC’s Esther Gonzalez and KC Current’s Temwa Chawinga lead the NWSL with 13 goals apiece.
Alyssa Thompson, who hasn’t played for ACFC since being transferred to Chelsea on Sept. 4, is tied for seventh with six goals despite not playing in the past three NSWL contests.
Angel City at Racing Louisville
When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Lynn Family Stadium, Louisville, Kentucky
TV: ION