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Oct 24, 2026 • BMO Stadium
LOS ANGELES — Angel City FC clinch the playoffs with a 2-0 win over Bay FC, allowing zero shots on target and controlling the tempo of the game. The team's hot streak continues, unbeaten in nine games straight.
Interim coach Leif Gunnar Smerud has secured a spot in the NWSL Playoffs with their win over Bay FC. Since becoming the coach in June, ACFC have returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2023.
The atmosphere in the California Derby against Bay FC was at a high; this game honored Emily Sams’ 100th NWSL career appearance for the team and promised the fans a win tonight, which ACFC delivered.
ACFC controlled the tempo of the game; although not scoring in the first half, they controlled possession of the ball, not allowing Bay FC to build up any meaningful attack.
“I think the back five played a really good game tonight, and they have been doing that a long time. So we wanted to attack them even more and win the ball back high; I think the fact that it was sort of a bite the air out of their balloon,” said coach Gunnar.
“So for us, it was about us, and we knew we had the quality to dictate that game; results speak for themselves”.
As soon as the second half started, ACFC Gisele Thompson struck the ball in the top right corner, breaking the deadlock. Maiara Niehues gave the assist, coming off the bench and making an immediate impact for the team.
ACFC offensively looked much better in the second half, with a shift in formation leading to a more attack-minded approach, noticing that Bay FC's defense was cracking.
ACFC is one of the top five teams in the NSWL, known for scoring an average of 1.7 goals per game. And after the first goal, the pressure suffocated Bay FC into staying in their own half.
With the offensive floodgates opening for ACFC, they led to chance after chance. With their back five line of defense smothering Bay FC, space opened for Riley Tiernan, who scored a low, curved shot in the box in the 83rd minute, the nail in the coffin for Bay FC
Bay FC really couldn't build any momentum at all in this match; any attempts led to stray shots missing the target or getting shut down by the iron defense ACFC had tonight.
Emma Coates, coach for Bay FC, said, “ Never thought we quite got to the pace of the game. I thought Angel City were excellent tonight. I thought the way they moved the ball, the speed that they played at. We struggled when we got the ball.”
With interim coach Gunnar taking this team to the playoffs in his first season, will he be the permanent coach for this team to lead them in the future? With fans wanting results, Gunnar has delivered.
- Alejandro Polanco
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