Angel City FC returned to action Saturday night with a 4–2 friendly victory over Carolina Ascent FC at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. The matchup marked the first-ever meeting between the two clubs and offered both sides a valuable chance to test their rosters before returning to regular-season competition.
Angel City opened the scoring midway through the first half, with Japanese international Jun Endo finding the net off a clever setup by Riley Tiernan. Tiernan, one of the NWSL’s standout rookies this season, continued to impress with her vision and tempo-setting play.
Despite fielding a mixed lineup due to international absences, Angel City controlled the match for long stretches. The home side’s attack flowed freely, with dynamic movement and sharp passing dismantling Carolina’s defense. Several younger and developing players saw extended minutes, offering a glimpse of the club’s depth beyond the starting XI.
Carolina Ascent, preparing for their debut USL Super League campaign, didn’t go quietly. They notched two second-half goals, capitalizing on momentary lapses in Angel City’s back line. But the hosts quickly reasserted themselves, restoring their two-goal cushion to put the match out of reach.
Angel City fans packed BMO Stadium and brought full energy despite the friendly status of the match. The night doubled as an important midseason checkpoint and a community celebration as the squad looks ahead to a key August stretch.
With this win, Angel City builds momentum heading into their next competitive fixture — a marquee road clash against Seattle Reign FC on August 1. As players return from international duty, the club appears poised for a strong push through the final third of the season.
