In what left many fans asking each other “Did that actually just happen?” Angel City routed the Chicago Stars 4-0 in their season opener at BMO stadium.
The score ties ACFC’s previous-highest margin of victory, 5-1 against Portland in October of ’23.
The coaching staff might be talking about a rebuilding year, but from the number of celebrations the players had prepared, there might be a slight difference of opinion.
ACFC dominated through the first third of the game, with the ball seldom travelling onto their own side of the pitch. But the party didn’t really get started until the 33rd minute, when Kennedy Fuller, moved to the forward position, threaded a needle between multiple defenders to sneak it between goalie Alyssa Naeher and the post.
The lead was taken into the half, but early in the second, Evelyn Shores headed a corner kick from Fuller into the back of the net.
The dam well and truly busted, the Angels followed up with a strike from off-season pickup Ary Borges in the 66th, then the put-away shot from Maiara Niehues in the 70th.
As loud as the home crowd of nearly 17 thousand cheered for every last goal, perhaps the loudest cheers of all came when Savy King returned to the pitch in the 63rd minute for the first time since her cardiac event on May 9, 2025.
King nearly gave the place a collective cardiac event of their own, as she nearly scored within minutes of entering.
For Angel City fans, the moment of joy does come with a reality check: Chicago placed last in the league in ’25 and ’23, although they did squeak into the playoffs in ’22 and ’24. And they were playing without star forward Mallory Swanson, who remains on maternity leave.
But for the moment, the City of Angels can enjoy a rare sight: ACFC sitting at the top of the table in the NWSL with three goals to give.
Angel City travels north to face Cali rivals Bay FC on Saturday– Bay defeated expansion team Denver Summit 2-1, and currently sit tied for 2nd.
Life doesn’t get any easier for Chicago, as they host the KC Current on Sunday. The current dominated the league in ’25, winning 21 games while drawing twice and losing thrice, including an historic 17-game unbeaten streak. KC also won their first game, defeating the Utah Royals 2-1.
Article and photos: Jim Sabo
