Angel City cruise past struggling Boston
Angel City secured a comfortable 5-2 victory over Boston Breakers at Gillette Stadium in the NWSL Group Stage on Monday. The result leaves Boston rooted to 15th place with 22 points, while Angel City move slightly closer to the top half sitting on 29 points from 21 games. And here's the thing — it was a familiar pattern for the hosts.
Angel City took an early lead through Elliot Sentnor before Boston's Sophie Smith equalised within three minutes. P. Chilufya restored the away side's advantage on 14 minutes and S. Jonsdottir doubled it just before half-time. By then Boston had already looked out of sorts, their attacking intent blunted by Angel City's compact structure.
The visitors extended their control after the break. Chilufya struck again on 58 minutes to complete her brace, and Maiara Niehues added a fourth before the hour mark. The hosts pulled one back through A. Traore on 88 minutes, ending a barren spell, but the damage had long been done.
The statistics tell a story of dominance. Angel City registered 114 attacks to Boston's 61, while their nine shots on target produced five goals compared to the hosts' four. Both sides managed 22 aerial duels, but the visitors dominated possession at 52 per cent and created five big chances against Boston's solitary opportunity.
Substitutions came thick and fast in the second half. Both managers made three changes on 62 and 71 minutes, with Boston also bringing on S. King on 73 minutes. Chilufya and three others were withdrawn late on as the game moved beyond contest.
It was another difficult outing for Boston, who have now lost or drawn in four of their last five matches. Angel City's away form has been more consistent, with only one defeat in their last five fixtures. The result will make life awkward for the hosts as they look to climb away from the bottom of the table.
