The June 2026 international break will long be remembered by Angel City faithful:

* Star midfielder Kennedy Fuller traded to Bay FC

* Coach Alex Strauss let go

* Star midfielder Ally Sentnor acquired from KC Current

The first two items arrived as a double-gut punch just before lunch on the 17th, and left many asking, once again, what exactly was going on in the front office. By mid-afternoon the rumors began to spread that the Sentnor trade was in the works, but that wasn’t confirmed until two days later, leading to even *more* speculation: Was the deal sealed before the decision to cut Strauss was made? How aware was Sentor that she was coming to a club without a head coach?

Regardless of the speculation, ACFC wasted no time getting her on the field, starting her in the first game back from the break. Sentor immediately made her presence felt, taking her very first touch in Asphalt and Sol Rosa the length of the field, leading many to think she was going to score within seconds. Despite the play being broken up, Sentnor was a force throughout the game, integrating so well with the offence that it’s hard to believe she’s only been with the club for 16 days.

Despite the Pride dominating possession through the first third of the game, they failed to generate chances. But Angel City found their rhythm, and began testing the Orlando defense.

In the 36th minute, Ary Borges unleashed a shot from just outside the penalty arc. Cori Dyke stopped it from just around the spot, but lost her balance in the process. Maiara Niehues was quick to collect the ball and chip off a shot of her own, splitting the defenders and climbing over goalie Anna Moorehouse’s outstretched arm for her team-leading fourth goal of the season.

Despite keeping the pressure on the visitors, Angel City took the one-goal lead into the locker at the half. The second half started with ACFC continuing to dominate possession, until Sveindís Jónsdóttir intercepted a Rafaelle pass and took it back to the house, doubling the lead in the 56th minute and putting her back in a tie for team goals with Niehues.

Angel City refused to let their foot off the gas, denying Orlando a chance to get back into it. Their closest attempt came in the 80th minute, when Solai Washington won a long pass from two Angel City defenders and got off a shot from just outside the goal box, but Angelina Anderson swiftly got a glove on it and batted it away.

The win moves ACFC to 9th place, just out of the playoff spot occupied by Orlando. But they’re only a point out, and have a game in hand. It also continues the tradition of ACFC interim coaches going undefeated in their first starts, a tradition that fans hope doesn’t get tested any time soon.

ACFC takes to the road to play SoCal rivals SD Wave next Saturday. The Wave currently sit at the top of the table, and won the first game of ’26. 

Article and photos: Jim Sabo