The last remaining unbeaten team NWSL fell on Friday, as Orlando defeated LA 2-1 behind defender Haley McCutcheon’s flurry of last-minute goals.
After an 83-minute stalemate, McCutcheon opened the scoring off a scrum in front of Angel City’s goal, before LA’s Gisele Thompson equalized early in second-half stoppage time. But the Pride wouldn’t be denied, as McCutcheon came up big with a game-winning strike shortly before the final whistle.
"This is a difficult result for us to allow them to score in 90+, because we do feel like that is a mentality thing, which is what we've been working on," ACFC captain Sarah Gorden said postgame. "So it is really disappointing."
Both No. 6 Orlando and No. 4 ACFC continue to keep pace in the NWSL standings heading into the international break. No. 1 San Diego is currently on top, after all 16 teams registered at least one loss through the season’s first five matchdays.
"This completes a strong first quarter of the season," said Pride manager Seb Hines. "We'll reset and prepare for the next phase."
"Today, we could have gone away from here with a very, very good point and played an almost perfect away game," said Angel City coach Alexander Straus at his post-match press conference.
"But we threw it away in the end. And that's unacceptable for us as a team and as a unit."
NWSL Hits Pause for April's FIFA International Window
The NWSL now goes on break, with play resuming April 24th after the USWNT’s three-friendly series with Japan.
