Angel City FC finishes regular season with 4-1 victory over Boston

Angel City FC concluded its 2026 regular season on Sunday with a decisive 4-1 win against Boston Legacy FC.

The match took place at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, drawing a crowd of 17,860. The venue change from the team's usual home ground was necessary to avoid a scheduling clash with LAFC, who hosted an MLS match that evening.

The victory extended Angel City's unbeaten run to ten consecutive games, a record that dates back to an 8-31 win against Boston. The final record for the 30-game season stands at 15 wins, 8 losses, and 7 draws, accumulating 52 points.

These figures set new club records for wins and points. The squad also set a new standard for total goals, reaching 54. This performance places the team in fifth position in the final standings.

Nealy Martin opened the scoring in the first half. Evelyn Shores added the second goal in the 17th minute, heading in a free kick delivered by Sviendis Jónsdóttir. Jónsdóttir scored the third goal in the 72nd minute after receiving a pass from Taylor Suarez. This goal marked her 10th of the season, making her the first player in Angel City history to reach double digits in a single campaign. Claire Emslie provided the fourth and final goal in the 84th minute.

Interim coach Leif Smerud credited the team's unity for the strong finish. He noted that the group found ways to win games while managing pressure. Emslie agreed, stating that the team's togetherness and belief in each other are reflected in the results. Martin described the second half performance as a picture of the season, where the team adjusted tactically in the locker room to overcome a difficult first half.

The fifth-place finish means Angel City must start the playoffs on the road. The quarterfinal match is scheduled for Saturday at 9 a.m. at CPKC Stadium against the Kansas City Current. The Current hold a 32-game consecutive home unbeaten streak.

Angel City and Kansas City met twice during the regular season. Angel City won the first meeting 2-1 at home on May 20. The second match on Aug. 1 in Kansas City ended in a 1-1 draw. Smerud acknowledged the strong atmosphere and quality of the host team, expressing determination to see what the squad can contribute to the game.

This marks the team's second playoff appearance, following a fifth-place finish in the 22-game season of 2023. The current squad has already set multiple historical benchmarks for the club.