Photo Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
After Angel City defeated Chicago 4-0 on opening weekend, it was fair to wonder if it was a fluke. But the Los Angeles side demonstrated their goalscoring acumen again on Saturday night against Bay FC, another team that won its season-opener, in a 3-1 win.
Scoring got going early in this California clash as Sveindís Jónsdóttir found the back of the net in just the third minute. It was a deadly and efficient move in transition, started with a very long ball in behind by Kennedy Fuller, and finished by Jónsdóttir, who did well to beat the defender to the ball and finish one-on-one against the goalkeeper.
Half an hour later, Jónsdóttir would again show off the prowess that made her such an exciting signing for Angel City last year, her ability to float along the opponent’s backline, then use her pace and positioning to create scoring opportunities. This time, she was eventually collapsed on by two defenders, but smartly passed it just in time to the onrushing and completely unmarked Gisele Thompson, who just had to slot it home.
After the assist, Jónsdóttir would open the second half with her second goal. This time, though, she used her head to score off the corner kick service from Evelyn Shores.
Bay FC pulled a goal back in the 56th minute thanks to some really good passing and movement between Taylor Huff and debutant Cristiana Girelli, who provided the assist after some great hold-up play. They seemed much more on the front foot after the goal, when Angel City had dominated up until that point, but couldn’t bring the game any closer on the scoresheet.
This result means that Angel City has made its best-ever start to an NWSL season since joining league play in 2022. It is the first time they have started the season 2-0-0. Also notable is that they recorded the shutout on opening weekend and only conceded one on Saturday. The defensive improvement is significant considering their offseason acquisition of defender Emily Sams and the return of Savy King, who made her first start Saturday since she suffered a cardiac episode on the field and required heart surgery.
If Angel City can combine staunch defense with this top-tier goalscoring, they could be a formidable foe in 2026.
