Kansas City Current goalkeeper Almuth Schult (1) grabs the ball as Bay FC forward Rachel Hill (21) drops to the ground during a goal attempt during the second half of their match at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Oct. 12, 2024. Kansas City Current defeated Bay FC 1-0. (photo by Jose Carlos Fajardo)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC hosted the Kansas City Current in a game that will be crucial to their playoff fight. Kansas City’s lineup had a name that will be very familiar for Bay FC fans, as Kayla Sharples returned to PayPal Park for the first time since being traded. The NWSL’s most dangerous goal-scorer, Temwa Chawinga was also in the building and she was undoubtedly going to make it a difficult night for Bay.

Bay FC Starting XI: Rowland, Malonson, Menges, Dahlkemper, Dydasco, Pickett, Bailey, Hill, Castellanos, Hocking, Oshoala Current Starting XI: Schult, Wheeler, Sharples, Cook, Mace, Hutton, Labonta, Chawinga, Debinha, Cooper, Prince

Sharples came up big for Kansas City in the opening minutes, preventing the Bay FC attack from creating strong scoring chances. Deyna Castellanos had a corner kick in the fifth minute that would’ve easily ended up in the back of the net if anyone was able to get a foot on it, but a Kansas City defender deflected it for another corner. On the following corner, Bay FC once again got a strong chance off of the set piece but none other than Sharples would make a goal-line clear to keep it scoreless.

After some strong scoring chances at both ends, the game was still tied 0-0 at the half-hour mark. Penelope Hocking was shown a yellow card in the 34th minute. Moments later, Chawinga broke the tie making it 1-0 in favor of the visitors with a cannon of a shot from outside of the box.

Chawinga’s 19th of the season became the new NWSL record for goals in a single season, breaking the previous record which belonged to Sam Kerr. Asisat Oshoala was then shown a yellow card in the 36th minute. In the 42nd minute, Hailie Mace was shown a yellow card.

Eventually, it was reviewed for a potential red card, as it could be considered the denial of a goal-scoring opportunity. For the second time of the night though, the review didn’t go Bay FC’s way. Earlier in the game, there had been a review for a potential handball inside of the box. At the end of the half, Kansas City led 1-0.

The second half had quite a bit of back-and-forth action. Early in the half, there was another play that Bay FC thought was a handball inside of the box, but this time the video assistant referee didn’t call for a review by referee Danielle Chesky.

The first substitutions of the match, which included Savy King entering for Castellanos, came in the 71st minute while there was a delay for Bay FC goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland. In the 87th minute, Caroline Conti would enter the match for Dorian Bailey.

The second half was much less eventful than the first, as both teams were struggling to generate consistent offensive chances. Eventually, Bay FC ran out of time and were unable to get themselves on the scoresheet as Kansas City recorded a 1-0, shutout victory over the hosting side.

With Racing Louisville closely trailing them in the standings, Bay FC couldn’t afford to drop points against the Current but unfortunately, they walked away with nothing. With only two games remaining for Bay, the end of their season will be an intense push for the playoffs.

Moving forward, every point is massively significant as they’re going to need to win out if they’re going to make it. More so, it’s not entirely in their own hands either. If Louisville is able to defeat the Washington Spirit on Sunday, it will essentially put the fate of both teams’ season in their hands.