Angel City found success that sticks. NWSL playoffs will test the strength of its structure‎

LOS ANGELES —“Simba, não!” Angel City FC midfielder Maiara Niehues is scolding her nine-month-old golden retriever who figured now was the perfect time to trot toward the Brazil international through the sand and shake it all off. Forward Claire Emslie’s labradors Bonnie and Jovi are also in on the act. Within minutes, everybody gathered at this section of Malibu beach is coated in a crust of wet sand. Niehues and Emslie, who’s from Scotland, are mostly unfazed. They are arranging slabs of drift