It was time to get down to business after the celebrations of the inaugural match last week. Angel City FC hosted one of the league's harder opponents, OL Reign, in the second round of the NWSL Challenge Cup. With the previous week behind them, the team focused on establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in 2022. The Starting XI remained intact for the tournament's second encounter, thus we may be getting a sneak peek at what will most likely be the regular XI' heading into the regular season. Rose Lavelle of the United States Women's National Team and the Reign fought their way through the midfield, displaying outstanding passing to find Veronica Latsko for the final product and the early goal.

Just when it appeared that the home side was settling into the day after being quickly punched in the mouth, the Reign doubled their lead just minutes after grabbing the lead, thanks to a well-placed cross. Alana Cook's finish was barely enough to beat Didi Haracic and give her team a two-goal lead. Savannah McCaskill, the game's first goalscorer, was issued a red card, making things much worse. Minutes into the second half, the Reign scored again, this time on a wonderful ball from Latsko to Angelina, who finished the job to give the club a three-goal lead. Fortunately for ACFC fans in attendance, the team refused to let up and kept the Reign under continual pressure. That pressure paid off in the 67th minute when Simone Charley sent a beautiful pass to Tyler Lussi, who scored and helped Angel City avoid a shutout.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Jason Allen]