Bay FC forward Alex Pfeiffer winds up to kick the ball during a match against Gotham FC on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at PayPal Park in San Jose. (Courtesy of Bay Area News Group)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC was back on the pitch at PayPal Park on Wednesday night for a midweek matchup against Gotham FC, and Bay brought some reinforcements. Taylor Huff and Abby Dahlkemper were both available for Wednesday’s game, but started the night on the substitute bench. Gotham also has some new weapons, though, as they reunited the former Chelsea pairing of Guro Reiten and Sam Kerr, both of whom were in their starting lineup.

Off of a corner in the third minute, Gotham took a 1-0 lead as Midge Purce was able to get the ball past Jordan Silkowitz and into the back of the net. Purce’s goal stood up for the Gotham win.

Moments after a run by Karlie Lema that drew out the keeper but failed to result in a scoring chance, Bay FC were seemingly able to tie things up with a goal by Kennedy Fuller in the eighth minute as the ball slowly trickled across the goal line. After a lengthy discussion with the VAR, Joshua Encarnacion, referee Servando Berna initiated a review for a possible offside. Eventually, Berna ruled that the play was offside and Gotham kept their 1-0 lead. 

Alex Pfieffer challenged Shelby Hogan in the 15th minute, but the Gotham goalkeeper was able to make the save. 

After having the goal called back, Bay FC had a few noticeably sloppy plays that resulted in losing possession, even in the defensive third of the pitch. Around the half-hour mark of the match, Gotham started playing very physical, resulting in multiple Bay players getting taken down in dangerous fashion. In the 30th minute, Pfieffer got another shot on target, but Hogan made the save with no problems.

In the 41st minute, Pfieffer was able to earn a corner after a great run up the right side of the pitch, kicking the ball off of a closing defender. Nothing came of the corner besides a bit of pinball in front of the goal and another corner chance that Gotham would ultimately clear. 

In the 50th minute, Jordan Silkowitz made a big fingertip save to deny Gotham’s second goal of the night, but she landed awkwardly due to a collision with teammate Joelle Anderson and went down, taking all energy out of PayPal Park momentarily. She appeared to be holding her back, and the trainers took the field to attend to her. She returned to her feet moments later and remained in the game. 

Maddie Moreau was shown a yellow card, the first of the night, in the 60th minute. 

In the 76th minute, Bay FC made their first substitution of the night as Taylor Huff entered the match for Cristiana Girelli. 

Rose Lavelle was shown a yellow card for a dangerous challenge on Hannah Bebar in the 81st minute. Caroline Conti and the returning Abby Dahlkemper entered the match in the 83rd minute, looking to spark Bay FC and salvage a point. Unfortunately, that plan wouldn’t come to fruition, as Gotham held on to win 1-0.