The English Premier League is heading toward a dramatic and emotional finale on Sunday, with the title race between Man City 鈥� seeking an unprecedented fourth straight top-flight championship 鈥� and Arsenal going to the wire and taking center stage on an afternoon when goals and tears usually flow.

Many of those tears will likely come at Anfield where Klopp, the eccentric German who has bestrode the league for nearly nine years with his heavy-metal football and big grin, takes charge of his last game at Liverpool.

Klopp is definitely leaving. For other managers, the future is more uncertain.

Take those leading the three teams 鈥� Chelsea, Newcastle, Manchester United 鈥� who are looking to secure qualification for one of the European competitions. Mauricio Pochettino, Eddie Howe and Erik ten Hag, respectively, cannot be sure they’ll be in the same job next season.

What’s all but mathematically sure is that Luton is heading back to the second-tier Championship as the third relegated team. It will require a bizarre set of results to keep it up and send fourth-from-last Nottingham Forest down, meaning all three promoted clubs 鈥� Sheffield United, Burnley, Luton 鈥� will have lasted just one season in the league.

Most eyes, however, will be on the title race that has been tight but maybe not as absorbing as it could have been. That’s because City 鈥� a trophy-hoarding machine led by Pep Guardiola 鈥� has long made a habit of finishing seasons on long winning runs, taking the tension out of what otherwise would be nerve-racking run-ins.

Beating Tottenham 2-0 on Tuesday left City with a two-point lead over Arsenal and knowing a win over West Ham will seal a fourth successive title, a feat which hasn’t been achieved in England’s top division since league play began in the sport’s motherland in 1888.

City’s future is also somewhat up in the air, given a date has been set 鈥� reportedly near the end of 2024 鈥� for proceedings to be heard in a sports tribunal regarding the charges against the Abu Dhabi-owned club for about 80 alleged breaches of the Premier League financial rules and 30 more relating to City’s alleged failure to cooperate with an investigation. If found guilty, penalties could include an expulsion from the top division.

For some, it leaves a cloud over City’s successes but what few can deny is the genius of Guardiola, who is looking to clinch a sixth league title in eight years at Etihad Stadium.

If City fails to beat West Ham, Arsenal 鈥� without a league title since the “Invincibles” in 2004 鈥� can snatch the trophy by beating Everton at home.

In a scenario where City draws and Arsenal wins, the teams would finish tied on 89 points and Arsenal would be first on goal difference.

Arsenal fans might not want to get too excited, though. West Ham, playing for the last time under departing manager David Moyes, has conceded five goals in each of its last two away games and City has not lost in any competition since Dec. 6, a run of 34 matches.

KLOPP’S FAREWELL

So, it’s not the dream farewell for Klopp 鈥� there will be no second Premier League title to go out with 鈥� but Liverpool’s supporters are sure to give a fitting sendoff to a manager who hasn’t just led the club to eight trophies and helped regain its luster on the European stage. He has forged a connection with the port city and earned an iconic status, to boot.

Piling up the goals against Wolverhampton would be one way for Liverpool’s players to thank their manager, who is sure to give The Kop one last flurry of fist pumps after the game.

EUROPEAN QUALIFICATION

While the four Champions League qualifiers 鈥� City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa 鈥� have been confirmed, there are still some loose ends to tie up regarding who goes into the minor European competitions.Tottenham needs a point at last-placed Sheffield United to guarantee fifth place and a berth in the Europa League.

Sixth-placed Chelsea (60), seventh-placed Newcastle (57) and eighth-placed Man United (57) are separated by three points ahead of games against Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton, respectively. The sixth-place finisher will likely get into the Europa League and seventh place a Europa Conference League spot.Man United will have a second opportunity for European qualification when it plays the FA Cup final against Man City on May 25.

RELEGATION

For Luton, the equation is as simple as it is improbable: it needs to beat Fulham at home and for Forest to lose at already-relegated Burnley. Added to that, there must also be a swing in goal difference of 12 between Luton and Forest.

Luton’s players and manager Rob Edwards already appeared resigned to their fate last week after losing at West Ham.

In 2022, his first full season with the Galaxy, he scored 11 goals in 32 games.

Before the start of this season, Joveljic said he wanted to return to being a double-digit goal scorer. He wouldn鈥檛 say a specific number, but he鈥檚 certainly on his way.

With Wednesday鈥檚 second-half goal in , Joveljic now has seven goals, already eclipsing last year鈥檚 total.

鈥淚 mean, my confidence is always high,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 even better when we create a lot of chances when we play good and when I score. So this season is different story. We are creating more and I鈥檓 scoring more. It鈥檚 (as) simple as that.

鈥淚 mean, a lot of people are going to say that the goals I鈥檓 scoring are easy, so first of all, it鈥檚 not easy to be in that position. Secondly, it鈥檚 not easy to score. Even though it looks so easy.鈥�

Joveljic had been bothered by a hip injury. The Galaxy (5-2-6, 21 points) held him off the training field for nearly two weeks, forcing him out against Austin FC on April 27 and Seattle on May 5.

鈥淥bviously I didn鈥檛 play 10 days and I played almost 17 minutes against Real Salt Lake (May 11). I was feeling very good that game,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he coaches made the decision for me (that) it鈥檚 better to play the game from the bench and I feel every day better and better and hopefully after a few more games I鈥檓 going to be back.鈥�

Joveljic again came off the bench Wednesday, entering in the 59th minute and scoring in the 61st.

Joveljic could have had a second that would have sealed the win and he stressed that during Wednesday鈥檚 postgame press conference.

鈥淚 had very, very good chance … I should have scored that ball a hundred percent,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hose balls, I score 10 out of 10. The second ball maybe was even easier and I said already, I should have gone left side 鈥� I had open position from the goalkeeper was not good but he got lucky.鈥�

Joveljic and the Galaxy conclude their stretch of three games in eight days with a trip to Charlotte FC on Saturday. Wednesday鈥檚 game was also Joveljic鈥檚 100th career appearance with the Galaxy.

鈥淐onfidence is always important for strikers, but he鈥檚 got guys who are getting deep and getting behind, which is opening spaces that make his runs a little bit clearer to the front of the goal,鈥� Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a combination of things. I think, you know, getting the right pieces around him has helped, which is what we鈥檝e always said, but him being able to do the things that help him be a good goal scorer are all there for him.鈥�

GALAXY at CHARLOTTE FC

When: Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.

How to watch: Apple TV+ (MLS Season Pass)

Lily Nabet arrived at Duke as a walk-on freshman. By the time she had graduated, Nabet had made 86 appearances at midfielder and earned the co-captaincy role as a senior.

鈥淚t was really difficult walking on,鈥� Nabet said. 鈥淚 wanted to go there for so long, so I knew what I was getting myself into. It kind of helped once I got there and I knew how much of a challenge it was. It didn鈥檛 really come as a surprise, which was a good thing for me.

鈥淚t was definitely extremely difficult, just because as a walk-on you don鈥檛 really get first glances, first looks or really anything. On the other hand, nobody really has expectations for you, so you don鈥檛 really feel pressure from anyone. I knew I wasn鈥檛 ready my first year, but I knew I could get to where the coaches wanted me to be. Just showing up every single day and giving everything I had, but also after that asking questions and doing all the extra work landed me in a good spot.鈥�

The Tarzana native and Chaminade High grad was eventually a third-round draft pick by Angel City FC in 2022 and is now in her third season in the NWSL.

Chalk it up to her work ethic.

鈥淚 feel it comes from my passion and love for this sport,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really easy to come out here and work my butt off. It鈥檚 also just working hard for my teammates, whether I鈥檓 picked for the squad for that game day or not.

鈥淵ou owe it to yourself, your teammates and your coaches to show up every single day and push not only yourself, but the girls around you. It鈥檚 pretty easy when you love what you do.鈥�

Nabet made 10 appearances in 2022, including two starts for 209 minutes. Last season, she made 11 appearances and five starts (410 minutes). So far this season, she鈥檚 played in four games, with three starts, and is on track to eclipse last season鈥檚 total minutes. She鈥檚 at 257 as Angel City heads to face the Washington Spirit on Saturday.

Through eight games (3-4-1, 10 points), Angel City sits in ninth place in the 14-team NWSL and is still in search of a complete game and effort. In its last game, Angel City was moments away from a point in a scoreless draw before .

鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to put those things together where we play a complete 90 minutes, 90-plus minutes. We鈥檝e conceded two late goals that have cost us some big points,鈥� Nabet said, referring to on April 26. 鈥淓very single second matters, every minute matters. We鈥檙e definitely getting there, but we need to fix some minor details and have that consistency throughout the games and throughout the weeks and months.鈥�

MARK WILSON HIRED

Angel City announced the hiring of former Mark Wilson as the club鈥檚 first technical director.

Wilson鈥檚 playing career took him to Manchester United and FC Dallas in MLS. Angel City is only the second club in the NWSL with a technical director.

鈥淚n terms of what the role entails, it鈥檚 creating a strategic vision of eventually building an academy, developing a second team and supporting the coaching staff and providing them with every resource or experience to make sure that they鈥檙e growing and developing beyond any sort of ceiling,鈥� Wilson said. 鈥淭here will be some recruitment pieces in there. We want it to be data informed and thorough.

鈥淲e want to make sure that the players we have onboard, not only have the right quantitative data pieces, but we also want to know they have the right character, that they fit our culture, and they fit this club and the people around it. We鈥檝e got some work to do, but we鈥檙e already making those steps forward.鈥�

ANGEL CITY FC at WASHINGTON SPIRIT

When: Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

Where: Audi Field; Washington, D.C.

How to watch: ION

Bouanga joined Carlos Vela as the only players in club history to score at least 10 game-winning goals.

Bouanga ran past the defense to get to a nice, lofted pass from Mateusz Bogusz and took one touch before smashing a shot inside the near post in the 59th minute.

Bouanga added another in second-half stoppage time. St. Louis misplayed a clearance in the LAFC end and Bouanga raced the length of the field on a breakaway to chip it over goalkeeper Roman B眉rki.

LAFC (6-4-3, 21 points) improved to 2-4-1 away from BMO Stadium across all competitions this year.

St. Louis (3-2-7, 16 points) lost for the first time since March 30, ending a five-game undefeated streak.

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Dejan Joveljic and Diego Fag煤ndez scored seven minutes apart in the second half for the Galaxy (5-2-6, 21 points), which is now winless in its last four games. Joveljic was left wide open near the penalty spot for an easy finish of Gabriel Pec鈥檚 cross. It was Joveljic鈥檚 first touch of the game.

Fag煤ndez gave the Galaxy a 2-1 lead in the 68th by finishing off a nice individual effort by Riqui Puig.

Arriaga tied the score at 2-all when he headed in Joseph Rosales鈥� corner kick at the back post.

Bongokuhle Hlongwane opened the scoring for Minnesota (6-2-3, 21 points) in the 30th when he settled a deflected corner kick and sent it off the crossbar. A video replay confirmed it crossed the goal line.

Minnesota had won three consecutive matches, all on game-winning goals from 23-year-old Tani Oluwaseyi. Only five different players in MLS history have scored a game-winning goal in four straight.

In the midst of LAFC’s initial stretch with midweek games, Steve Cherundolo’s team stifled the only conference opponent that was unbeaten following a charter flight, on Saturday.

For LAFC’s fourth match in 12 days, it will be at CITYPARK, where the second-year franchise is 3-0-3 and one of four teams without a loss in front of their supporters, joining LAFC, the Galaxy and New York Red Bulls. Overall, St. Louis lost once in 11 regular-season matches, recording seven draws.

After winning away from BMO Stadium for the first time in 2024 with Wednesday, LAFC heads to St. Louis (3-1-7, 16 points) presented with another chance to spoil an opponent’s success while proving something to themselves about putting on a complete 90-minute performance in hostile territory.

“All wins help,” Cherundolo said of the 3-1 victory over the USL champion Las Vegas Lights. “And it’s obviously against an opponent we expected to beat. It’s a different story in St. Louis. They’re a tough team to beat at their place. So, yeah, it’s a more difficult task but every win helps. And now it’s two wins in a row. The team is in good form.”

LAFC took four of six points off St. Louis in 2023, twice shutting out the expansion team. Noting that performance is more important than the actual result at this moment, Cherundolo repeated how much he was looking forward to watching the players execute better than their typical away days thus far.

Taking on a foe that is tactically disciplined and full of energy, one that capitalizes on mistakes and feeds off chaos, the “more you play into that, your chances of getting a point or three decreases,” Cherundolo said. “We need to be sure not to feed into that chaos and try to calm the game down whenever we can, but also try to break them down.”

Resembling last season’s never-ending back-to-back reality, playing more often seems to suit LAFC (5-4-3, 18 points), which is relatively healthy and getting contributions across the roster.

“Guys that haven’t necessarily started all the games at the beginning of the year are coming in and making amazing impacts,” center back Aaron Long said. “We feel good right now. We’re excited to go on the road and get a result here.”

Defender Ryan Hollingshead is quickly recovering from a scary looking incident involving his neck in Las Vegas, and 18-year-old winger David Martinez continues progressing from a stress fracture in his back. The talented Venezuelan has returned to the practice field but not for full training, which should come the latter half of this month if he stays on target to play in June.

The on Tuesday won’t be felt in the locker room until later in the summer, but Long said naturally everyone is excited to have a “guy who has played at the highest level.”

“Someone of his quality, of his caliber,” Long wondered, “In what ways does he not help the team?”

Cherundolo is hopeful the long-expected move “has a motivating effect” as LAFC works to position itself at or near the top of standings, which “can only mean good things for the end of the season.”

LAFC AT ST LOUIS CITY SC

When: Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. PT

Where: CITYPARK, St. Louis, Mo.

TV/radio: Apple TV+ (MLS Season Pass)/710 AM, 980 AM

Olivier Giroud, an all-time great French center forward, put pen to paper on a Major League Soccer contract that will connect him in L.A. with fellow World Cup winner and good friend Hugo Lloris through 2025 with a club option for one more season, LAFC formally announced on Tuesday.

鈥淵ou have no idea how big he is,鈥� said LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington, who visited the 6-foot-4 Giroud in Italy to facilitate the signing. 鈥淗e is a unit. Like he is a big guy, with real presence, which you see on the field but when you鈥檙e next to it, me being all of 5-foot-8 on a good day, he鈥檚 got real stature.

鈥淔or us, what we see in Olivier as a player is somebody that fits really well with the team we currently have. What he adds is a real presence that occupies central defenders. And for as big a guy as he is and his actual physical presence, he鈥檚 got incredible feet and ability to link play.鈥�

For 18 years, Giroud starred at the top levels of European soccer, winning 11 major trophies while scoring 285 goals in 716 club appearances in France, England and Italy.

Born in the French city of Chamb茅ry, the 37-year-old striker is the all-time leading scorer for Les Bleus, netting 57 goals for his country. Playing alongside his close friend Lloris, Giroud has represented France in three World Cups, winning the title in 2018.

鈥淚 am delighted and excited to join LAFC,鈥� Giroud said in a statement a day after confirming his departure from AC Mian. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to get to Los Angeles and to play in front of the 3252 and all of the incredible fans.鈥�

While Lloris came to LAFC from Tottenham at a considerable discount, Giroud will take his place in the middle of head coach Steve Cherundolo鈥檚 attack this summer on a free transfer as a high-priced senior designated player.

Seeds of the deal were planted last fall as LAFC began to map out its needs, and conversations began in January as the club decided between sticking with its original plans of making a center forward signing prior to the season or holding the spot open for Giroud following the completion of the Serie A season and one last run for his country in the UEFA European Championship.

鈥淣o one came close to unseating him as the placeholder,鈥� Thorrington said. 鈥淎nd we knew that despite not having him for the first part of the season, which obviously would compromise us to some degree, we just felt that overall we are much better with the perfect choice.鈥�

Giroud鈥檚 arrival in L.A., however, could further reduce the chances of free agent Carlos Vela returning to the club he has led since its inception in 2018.

鈥淲e鈥檝e put our best foot forward with Carlos,鈥� Thorrington said. 鈥淭here were certain constraints with the decisions we made and the reality of our cap situation. So right now it鈥檚 proven difficult to come to an agreement and I don鈥檛 know what the future holds in terms of moving forward.鈥�

As it happens, when Giroud joined the Premier League with Arsenal in 2012, the move occurred shortly after Vela鈥檚 departure from the Gunners.

Joining a team that includes last year鈥檚 MLS Golden Boot winner, fellow Frenchman Denis Bouanga, Giroud plugs into one of the most prolific attacks in the league taking on a similar role to his duties with France and, for the past three years, AC Milan.

鈥淭he way we play, oftentimes with our nine dropping in and helping link up play, he鈥檚 certainly done a remarkable job of,鈥� Thorrington said. 鈥淎nd actually, later in his career has actually gotten better at that, which has been our more recent analysis.

鈥淪tatistically the amount of chances he creates as well as finishes is something we see as ideal for our nine. His mobility, his ability to press, and all of those things with and without the ball, we think he’s going to be a great addition to this current group.鈥�

However, thanks to Miguel Berry鈥檚 late goal, the club salvaged a point in .

As the Galaxy returns to the road for Wednesday鈥檚 meeting with Minnesota United FC, the one thing that鈥檚 been evident about this season is the club鈥檚 resiliency.

鈥淕ames can have different feelings at the start, to the finish,鈥� Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of ebbs and flows in this one (Saturday). You know, early on I felt, we are really playing well. The ball is really moving nice. We are creating things. We are organized underneath our possessions. We are recovering balls back and I feel like, can we really sustain this for the larger part of the game? If we can, then we鈥檝e turned over a major stone in our development.

鈥淲e were unable to get that thing that rewards you.鈥�

The Galaxy (5-2-5, 20 points) has shown the ability to get into dangerous scoring positions, but as was the case Saturday, when the players don鈥檛 convert, the game momentum swings and they鈥檙e trailing 2-0 at halftime.

鈥淎t the beginning, I thought we have a real chance to not just score one, but to score multiple. We鈥檝e really found our ways through them and to dangerous spots,鈥� Vanney said. 鈥淭hen as the game progresses and you start to get disjointed and now you find yourself down two, it becomes a different challenge. Now it鈥檚 to battle yourself back into the game and to remain unbeaten (at home) and to just (get) one goal at a time to get yourself back into things. I鈥檓 pleased we took a point and not to be too greedy, but the game early on, as I said before, if we execute there鈥檚 more in this game for us.鈥�

In his return after a one-game suspension, Riqui Puig had two assists and Joseph Paintsil created six chances, but failed to score. Then as he was subbed off, he walked straight to the locker room.

鈥淚 think this group has shown that they believe they can score,鈥� Vanney said. 鈥淭hey believe that they can get back into a game. It鈥檚 just a matter about how we go about doing that and that to me it鈥檚 really kind of the discussion tonight. When we try to force ourselves back into a game, we become more vulnerable. When we play in the moment and play the game, we are good enough to create those chances and to bring ourselves into the game.鈥�

The Galaxy is third in MLS is xG (Expected goals to be scored, 1.70). The Galaxy has scored 12 goals on the road, nine in the second half and four between the 76th and 90th minutes.

Minnesota (6-2-2) is tied with the Galaxy with 20 points and has won three consecutive games. The teams鈥� past three matches have been high scoring, with Minnesota winning twice (3-2 in 2022 and 5-2 in October). The Galaxy won, 4-3, in September.

The Galaxy will depart Thursday afternoon for North Carolina to begin preparation for Saturday鈥檚 match against Charlotte FC.

GALAXY at MINNESOTA UNITED FC

When: Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.

Where: Allianz Field; St. Paul, Minn.

How to watch: Apple TV+ (MLS Season Pass)

The role was called director of soccer operations until last Christmas 鈥� when Marco Antonio Garc茅s departed to become sporting director of La Liga鈥檚 Celta Vigo 鈥� because in Latin America 鈥渢echnical director鈥� is essentially the same thing as coach.

Whatever is in a title, it鈥檚 the duties that matter.

McGuinness spent the last five years in the position of director of scouting and player recruitment for the Columbus Crew, and was key in composing the groups that won MLS Cups in 2020 and last December against LAFC.

鈥淚 believe my experience building MLS rosters and identifying international talent will be an asset to the club as we look to develop players and attempt to win championships,鈥� McGuinness said in a statement.

McGuinness will oversee scouting, scouting infrastructure, player recruitment and transfer decisions, tying in with co-president and general manager John Thorrington and head coach Steve Cherundolo on first team needs, and everything having to do with inbound or outbound transfers and transfer windows.

Fielding 350 applicants at a time when he had to take on duties constructing the 2024 team that would have been in Garc茅s portfolio, Thorrington opted to 鈥渨alk to the right decision rather than run to the wrong one鈥� when it came time to fill the front office void. 鈥淎nd we found a really good candidate in Neil, amongst a really talented pool. We found the guy who we feel will really help us moving forward.

鈥淗e鈥檚 a guy that I鈥檝e known for a number of years outside the league, as well as then obviously we鈥檝e noticed the great work he has done with Columbus as head of recruitment. We think certainly he鈥檒l be able to fulfill a bit of that role with us and do a little bit more as well.鈥�

The technical staff is expected to add one more person in a new role following the departure of head scout David Kammarman, who left LAFC after five years to become head of player recruitment with New England.

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  Jyllissa Harris #33 of Houston Dash hugs Paige Nielsen #7 after her goal in stoppage time, for a 1-0 win over the Angel City FC at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Simone Charley #7 of Angel City FC chases after a ball to the corner during the first half against the Houston Dash at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Paige Nielsen #7 of the Houston Dash celebrates her goal with Ramona Bachmann #28 and Sarah Punitgam #17, to take a 1-0 lead over the Angel City FC in stoppage time, during a 1-0 win at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Jasmyne Spencer #3 of Angel City FC gets past Amanda West #16 of the Houston Dash to the ball during a 1-0 Dash win at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Courtney Petersen #8 of the Houston Dash looks up to pass in front of Katie Johnson #33 of Angel City FC during a 1-0 Dash win at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Clarisse Le Bihan #29 of Angel City FC looks to pass to Katie Johnson #33 during a 1-0 loss to the Houston Dash win at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Alyssa Thompson #21 of Angel City FC is challenged by Michelle Alozie #11 of the Houston Dash during a 1-0 Dash win at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Head coach Becki Tweed talks to Claire Emslie #10 and Simone Charley #7 after a time out during a 1-0 loss to the Houston Dashat BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Natalie Jacobs #4 of the Houston Dash turns from Sydney Leroux #2 of Angel City FC during a 1-0 Dash win at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Jasmyne Spencer #3 of Angel City FC attempts a cross past Courtney Petersen #8 of the Houston Dash during a 1-0 Dash win at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Alyssa Thompson #21 of Angel City FC dribbles in front of Avery Patterson and Paige Nielsen during a 1-0 Dash win at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Alyssa Thompson #21 of Angel City FC dribbles in front of Courtney Petersen #8 of the Houston Dash during a 1-0 Dash win at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Jasmyne Spencer #3 of Angel City FC dribbles between Courtney Petersen #8 and Sophie Hirst #20 of the Houston Dash during a 1-0 Dash win at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Sophie Hirst #20 plays the ball in front of Simone Charley #7 of Angel City FC during a 1-0 Dash win at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Sydney Leroux #2 of Angel City FC and Sophie Hirst #20 of the Houston Dash position for a corner during a 1-0 Dash win at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Jasmyne Spencer #3 of Angel City FC plays the ball in front of Amanda West #16 of the Houston Dash during a 1-0 Dash win at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Jasmyne Spencer #3 of Angel City FC plays the ball in front of Amanda West #16 of the Houston Dash during a 1-0 Dash win at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Alyssa Thompson #21 of Angel City FC plays the ball with Avery Pattterson #3 of the Houston Dash during a 1-0 Dash win at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Amanda West #16 of the Houston Dash attempts a cross during a 1-0 Dash win over the Angel City FC at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Sophie Schmidt #13 and Simone Charley #7 of Angel City FC watch as Madison Curry heads the ball during a 1-0 Dash win at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Simone Charley #7 of Angel City FC is fouled by Sophie Schmidt #13 of the Houston Dash during a 1-0 Dash win at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Actress Jennifer Garner and son Samuel Garner Affleck on the sidelines during the game between the Houston Dash and the Angel City FC during a 1-0 Dash win at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Avery Patterson #30 of the Houston Dash crosses the ball in front of Madison Curry #21 of the Angel City FC during a 1-0 Dash win at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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  Avery Patterson #30 of the Houston Dash passes in front of Madison Curry #21 of the Angel City FC during a 1-0 Dash win at BMO Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES 鈥� Paige Nielsen called Angel City FC home for two seasons entering this season.

In April, Nielsen was traded to the Houston Dash.

Nielsen returned Sunday to BMO Stadium, but on the other side of the field and in the visiting locker room. She received a loud ovation as if she was still in the black of Angel City during the starting lineup introductions and in the final stages of the game, she capped her emotional return with the game-winning goal.

Nielsen, off of a corner-kick, scored in the late stages of the seven minutes of stoppage time to hand her former club Angel City a 1-0 defeat in front of 18,037 at BMO Stadium.

“This place was really special for me,” Nielsen said. “The fans, the community, my own teammates and being here from the inception, it was really tough, but coming back here, I knew that I really wanted to win this game.

“I even told my new team, that they should do everything to win this game. They did such a good job, one of our best games since I’ve been with Houston and I’m super proud of them and I’m so thankful to be the one to score at the end. Probably one of the best moments of my career.”

Nielsen’s goal came at the end of a tough game for both teams. Houston was playing the second game in five games, but still managed to buckle down on the defensive end.

Nielsen joined Angel City (3-4-1, 10 points) in the expansion draft before the club’s first season. She made 20 appearances in the first season and 21 last season.

“When I scored the goal, I was like ‘Holy crap’ did that just happen? I was super stoked,” Nielsen said. “I didn’t really understand that the fans were cheering. It wasn’t until after, when everyone stayed and had the signs that I saw it. They said how much they loved me and missed me. I heard a couple of stories that impacted kids’ lives …best fans in the league. They mean so much to me still.”

Nielsen said she heard talks of a possible trade.

“It was very sudden,” she said. “I knew there were talks the day before it happened and then I got brought into a meeting that Friday. The trade deadline window and basically was told it was verbally agreed that the trade would happen. I wasn’t really prepared for it to happen in midseason, I wanted to stay with Angel City …I was going to be a free agent at the end of the year and don’t know if Angel City could or wanted to pay what other teams were offering for me. Smart move by them if they could actually get something for me before I became a free agent, because I know Angel City had a lot of amazing defenders and they needed to restructure and rebuild and I’m flattered teams wanted me for a trade.”

Angel City FC had won three of their last four games entering Sunday, but again struggled offensively. Angel City won the possession battle, had 13 shots, but just three on target.

“Honestly, the moments at the end matter, but I think the 96 minutes leading up to that are the more relevant part,” Angel City coach Becki Tweed said. “Ultimately, the 96 minutes that we had, we can鈥檛 feel sorry for ourselves. That last minute, it hurts and sometimes football is cruel, but that 96 minutes before it, are a space that we have to get better in.

鈥淚t was just one of those games where we didn’t create enough (chances) and we weren’t dangerous enough in the final third. We had 13 shots apparently and I don’t know where they came from. We had some good build up moments, but that’s not enough to win games.鈥�

Angel City will be back in action Saturday on the road against the Washington Spirit. They will meet Nielsen and the Dash again in June, by then Nielsen should be settled in, with her dogs and wife.

“I was really devastated (about the trade) for awhile and I had to move forward and do my job with Houston,” she said. “I”m getting excited more, the girls are really great at Houston. I miss a lot of people here (at Angel City), but I’m excited for another adventure.”