Sydney Leroux scores in return, but Angel City falls to Chicago

Ava Cook scored a pair of first-half goals, and the Chicago Red Stars defeated Angel City FC 2-1 in a National Women's Soccer League game Monday night at BMO Stadium.

Cook scored on a header in the 16th minute and added an additional goal in the 27th minute for Chicago, which had lost seven consecutive road games dating back to last season. It was Cook's first career brace.

Chicago (3-6-1) was coming off a 1-0 victory May 27 over the Orlando Pride that stopped a three-game losing streak in league play. The Red Stars have conceded an NWSL-worst 23 goals.

Sydney Leroux, who made her season debut after recovering from an ankle injury that required surgery, scored in the 88th minute off a cross from Alyssa Thompson to pull Angel City to within a goal.

Angel City FC

Angel City FC has signed midfielder Amandine Henry to a three-year contract. She is expected to join the team later this month.

It was Leroux's first goal since May 2022 and her 40th career NWSL goal.

"It meant a lot to me," Leroux said of the goal. "It's definitely been an emotional year. I didn't know if I would be able to put on this jersey again and be able to play the way that I know I can play. So to come on, to feel like I’m back, to not have any issues and to play without pain was really special. We wish that the score was a little different, but I think we showed that we can play tough and that's what we need to do, but for 90 minutes plus."

Angel City (2-5-3) hasn't won in four straight matches in league play to fall to 11th in the standings. It was the team's fifth loss at home this season.