Angel City: Fifth seed leaves little room for error in playoff opener
A 4-1 win over Boston Legacy ended the regular season with new franchise records, but a loss in Kansas City could end the campaign immediately.
By Takeshi Faure ·
Angel City FC secured the fifth seed in the National Women's Soccer League standings on Sunday, a position that forces the team to play on the road in its first playoff game of the year. The club finished the 2026 regular season with a 52-point total and a 15-8-7 record, setting new franchise marks for wins and points.
The final match of the season ended in a 4-1 victory over Boston Legacy FC at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. The game was moved from its original venue due to a scheduling conflict with Los Angeles FC, which played a Major League Soccer home game that evening. The attendance at the Carson venue reached 17,860.
Nealy Martin opened the scoring in the first half. Evelyn Shores added the go-ahead goal in the 17th minute with a header from a free kick by Sviendis Jónsdóttir. Jónsdóttir scored the third goal in the 72nd minute, assisted by Taylor Suarez. This goal marked the 10th of the season for Jónsdóttir, making her the first player in club history to reach double digits in a single campaign. Claire Emslie capped the scoring in the 84th minute.
The win extended Angel City's unbeaten streak to 10 consecutive games, a run that began with a 5-2 victory over Boston on Aug. 31. Despite the strong form, the team could not climb above fifth place. The Kansas City Current defeated Racing Louisville 2-0, and the Washington Spirit beat Chicago 2-0. Those results placed Washington in third and Kansas City in fourth with 53 points.
Because all eight final day games were played simultaneously, the final standings fluctuated during the match. Angel City held the fifth position at halftime and remained there as the final whistle blew. The fifth seed means the team will travel to Kansas City for the quarterfinals.
The playoff opener is scheduled for Saturday at 9 a.m. at CPKC Stadium. Angel City holds a slight historical edge in recent meetings, having beaten Kansas City 2-1 on May 20. The two teams drew 1-1 in Kansas City on Aug. 1. The Current have not lost at home in 32 consecutive matches.
Interim coach Leif Smerud noted that the team adjusted its tactics during the halftime break to improve individual performance. Martin described the first half as a period where the team had to weather storms, noting that they made necessary changes in the locker room. Emslie emphasized that the group developed a unique sense of togetherness since the summer break.
Smerud acknowledged that the team started the season in a challenging position and dealt with pressure effectively. He stated that the team is determined to see what they can contribute in the upcoming game. The club will face a Kansas City side that is well-coached and has maintained a strong home record.
The 2026 season represented the longest regular season in club history, stretching over 30 games. Angel City recorded 54 goals during the campaign. The team's second playoff appearance comes after its initial bid in 2023, when it also finished fifth in a shorter 22-game schedule.
