Racing 2 Angel City 1 Post Match Thoughts
Courtesy Connor Cunningham
Racing put in a hard-nosed performance against Angel City and got a much needed 3 points. They will need to keep the performance levels elevated to maintain momentum for the last matches of the season.
I imagine an Angel City beat writer composing the narrative for their article containing such familiar sentiments as “they controlled the match” and “didn’t take their opportunities” but it was “not a bad performance”. It again reminds us of the fine margins between getting 3 points and 0. Based strictly on the numbers it is hard to argue that this is Racing’s recipe for success. However, next week's match against North Carolina is very likely to look similar from a possession perspective. I don’t like percent possession as a measure generally. Taken with the pass completion percentage and the number of completed passes in this match, one could say that Angel City likely did enough to win the match. In addition, looking at cumulative xG (another stat that I personally find misleading as a match-indicative statistic) Angel City will feel hard done by. The good news for Racing is that in matches like this one, the stats are a mere curiosity. Racing made the most of their chances and ultimately that was the story of the match.
The reason that it became the story of the match was due to Katie Lund. Even on Angel City’s goal she did all that could be asked of her. I am highly critical of Katie Lund from time to time. It is because she is capable of performances like this that I am so critical. I believe that THERE IS NO OTHER KEEPER IN THE LEAGUE EVEN CLOSE TO HER WHEN SHE IS AT HER BEST. She was absolutely at her best tonight. There was definitely one but probably more than one shot that she is the only keeper in the league that makes the save. I have highlighted where she needs to be better, but I won't rehash that here. She seems to relish matches where she is engaged early and often. Racing will need her to be in top form to make the playoffs and this performance was a good sign.
Balcer's goal was fantastic for a few reasons. The post match media focused on Balcer's finish which was top class. It was daring and assured. It was the type of goal that Racing sorely needs. On the rewatch, I was just as pleased with the ball movement leading to the goal. The passes and Borges’ movement to create the space to make the assisting pass should not be overlooked. It was the classic quick, but not rushed movement that is not only eye-catching but incredibly effective. That movement looked like a team that had played together for years. It's a good sign that things can click so effectively with players who are relatively unfamiliar with each other.
Beckie's excellent goal was also one where the preceding action was just as important. It is hard to overstate how good Beckie's finish was. The angle was tight, but her power and accuracy rendered that tight angle irrelevant. Her finish seemed instinctual and it is the type of finish that you get with an experienced and decorated player. It was all started because Kayla Fischer chased a ball that she was never going to win. Of course winning the ball wasn't the point. She rushed Haracic into an embarrassingly poor pass, and Beckie pounced on it. After the match Beckie made a point to praise Fischer. Unfortunately Racing will be without her against North Carolina due to her picking up her 8th yellow card.
