Angel City Stuns League-Leading San Diego as Spirit Extend Winning Run

Leif Smerud’s quick tactical reset has produced back-to-back wins and clean sheets for Angel City, a shift that could reshape midseason momentum.

Overview

Angel City defeated top-ranked San Diego Wave 2-0 at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday night, with Maiara Niehues and Ary Borges scoring the goals.
San Diego remains atop the NWSL standings despite the loss, but the defeat ended its shutout run at 242 minutes and exposed first-half lapses.
Interim coach Leif Smerud has led Angel City to two straight wins and two clean sheets since his appointment during the midseason break.
Washington Spirit beat the North Carolina Courage 2-0 as Leicy Santos and Trinity Rodman scored, a VAR review overturned an Ashley Sanchez free-kick, and Sandy MacIver earned her sixth clean sheet.
Angel City attacker Jun Endo suffered a noncontact injury in the first half and her availability for upcoming matches is uncertain, a developing concern for the club.