ANGEL CITY FC 3-3 DENVER SUMMIT FC
Credit: @angelcityfc
Sep 11, 2026 • BMO Stadium
LOS ANGELES — After a defensive collapse at home, ACFC managed to claw their way back to a 3-3 draw to retain a point that allows them to hold the ninth spot in the NSWL and still have a chance to qualify for the playoffs.
Angel City’s early momentum against Denver Summit led them to take the first goal in the 45th minute. Maiara Niehues, the top goal scorer for the club, opened the scoring. But after halftime, 2 goals were scored shortly after the second half started.
“Something similar happened during a match against Seattle,” said Leif Gunnar Smerud, the newly appointed interim head coach for ACFC since June. “We tried to play a few passes and missed them; it’s nothing bigger than that and at this level you get punished:
Two quick goals in less than 10 minutes of the second half were the result of a defensive collapse that ACFC had in the second half. “Being 3-1 down at home, it’s just not acceptable… we want to make a push for the playoffs,” said Savy King.
What many ACFC fans thought was the nail in the coffin: Janine Solis, Denver’s Summits top goal scorer, scored a decisive goal to break the hearts of the home fans.
After subbing off Maiara Niehues with Prisca Chilufya, an immediate impact was made after a short pass in the box; Prisca delivered hope to the home fans; ACFC managed to cut the score back to 2-3. Prisca, normally a starter for the team, came off the bench.
Chilufya’s pace and work rate were one of the “missing pieces for the rest of the game,” coach Smeurd said to Chilufya and other substitute Carina Lageyre.
Finally, in the last minutes of the game, a risky tackle made by Ayooluwa Oke, Denver’s right back, caused the equalizer to be scored. ACFC offense totaled 18 shots in a game they wanted to win. Where the XG (expected goals) was 3.37, a higher rating than Denver’s 1.28.
With the team currently being in ninth place and on the verge of being able to qualify for the playoffs. This win was needed. Looking at ACFC’s remaining schedule, they face three out of the four top-placed teams: Gotham FC, Washington Spirit, and the Utah Royals, making the climb to the playoffs a challenging effort.
- Alejandro Polanco
Credit: @angelcityfc
Credit: @angelcityfc
Credit: @angelcityfc
Credit: @angelcityfc
Credit: @angelcityfc
Credit: @angelcityfc
Credit: @angelcityfc
