After a tough start to the season, Angel City has rebounded to put themselves into playoff consideration.
The team has gone unbeaten in its last six regular season matchups, including a 1-0 win over Kansas City on Friday. Currently, they sit seventh in the NWSL standings, tied with OL Reign who is currently sixth on goal differential having played just 17 games to Angel City’s 18.
But the unbeaten streak – which includes four wins and two draws – has been a stark turnaround of the team under interim head coach Becki Tweed. Tweed took over in June after the club fired Freya Coombe following a 2-3-6 start to the season. Since then, the club has improved to 6-6-6.
While time is running out for Angel City to clinch their playoff spot, they’re still in contention, and they know the importance of the coming weeks.
“We’ve talked about the next five, six games,” Tweed said. “Every game’s a cup final for us and we want to control our own destiny. To do that, we have to be in control.”
The coach reiterated that it’s a whole team effort, not just the 11 players who start for Angel City. It’s important in the coming games to keep players fresh and not overwork players too much. It’s also about recognizing that not everyone is going to be on their best game every night of the week, it’s up to teammates to pull each other through that.
“I think that’s a space we’ve got to as a group now,” she said. “If it’s not one person, it’s another person. It’s like having 24 leaders that are pulling each other through.”