Category: National Women’s Soccer League

Bay FC match review: Courage pound Bay 4-1 in home finale

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North Carolina Courage’s Manaka Matsukobo (pink uniform) celebrates one of her three goals against Bay FC at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Sat Oct 17, 2025 (Photo by: John Hefti-Imagn Images)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC hosted their final home game of the 2025 season against the North Carolina Courage on Friday night. With playoffs out of the picture for Bay, they were looking to play spoiler against a team in the fight for a playoff berth.

Manaka Matsukobo and the Courage wasn’t going to give Bay FC that opportunity as it was a tough defeat for Bay 4-1. Matsukobo opened the scoring for North Carolina just three minutes into the match. Five minutes later, she added a second goal, giving the visiting side a 2-0 lead just eight minutes into the match.

Bay FC’s Penelope Hocking brought Bay back into the match during the first half’s stoppage time, taking it into the half with a score of 2-1.

From there, North Carolina continued their offensive production in the second half, as Shinomi Koyama added a goal of her own in the 74th minute. Six minutes later, Matsukobo decided she wasn’t happy with just a brace and scored a third goal to complete the hat trick.

Ultimately, Bay FC wouldn’t be able to get any more goals on the board and lost their final home game of the season, 4-1. Closing out a disappointing string of performances to end the season.

There will be one more road game in the Albertin Montoya era, as Bay FC will head to Kentucky to face Racing Louisville on Nov. 2.

Bay FC Match Report: Utah FC shuts out Bay FC 2-0 for 11th loss of season

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Utah Royals forward Alsha Solozano (30) is fired up after scoring in the 18th minute against Bay FC at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Sat Sep 27, 2025 (Utah Royals FC photo)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC hosted the Utah Royals on Saturday night at PayPal Park and lost their 11th game of the season getting shutout 2-0 by the Royals.

Karlie Lema got a great scoring chance in the early moments of the game, but the shot went just wide of the goal. It would be Utah that opened the scoring with a Janni Thomsen goal in the ninth minute. In the 13th minute, Utah’s Aisha Solorzano was shown a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Caprice Dydasco.

The Royals added a second, Solorzano’s first career goal, in the 18th minute. With the goal, Solorzano became the first Guatemalan to score in the NWSL. Kiki Pickett was shown a yellow card in the 24th minute. Utah would hang onto that lead until the half, and Bay FC had a major deficit to overcome in the second half.

Bay FC was robbed by Utah goalkeeper Mia Justus in the 57th when she made back-to-back saves to deny the attack.

Penelope Hocking made her return for Bay FC around the 65th minute. Rachael Kundananji was shown a yellow card for an off-the-ball play on Kate Del Fava in the 78th minute. With it being her fifth yellow card of the season, Kundananji will be suspended for Bay FC’s next game in Portland.

At that point in the game, it was clear that frustration had set in for Bay FC and they’d be unable to get things back on track. Silkowitz was forced to make one final save in stoppage time, but ultimately it made no difference. Utah walked away with a 2-0 win and playoffs seem well out of the picture for Bay FC.

Bay FC and Gotham FC battle to a 1-1 draw at Pay Pal Park

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Bay FC and Gotham FC battled to a 1-1 draw as both clubs battle for a playoff spot (photo from 8 In a Row)

By William Espy

Bay FC was back at PayPal Park on Sunday night, as they hosted Gotham FC to a 1-1 draw in San Jose. It was a match that could have major playoff implications for both teams.

Bay FC is running out of time to find a way into the postseason during Albertin Montoya’s final season on the sideline. Meanwhile, Gotham is in a major fight not only for playoff seeding, but a late-season slump could see them fall out of the top-eight altogether.

Gotham got out to a lead in the first half, as star midfielder Rose Lavelle was able to get the ball past Jordan Silkowitz with a shot from the center of the box. Gotham would maintain that lead until the 68th minute, when Rachael Kundananji, off of a pass from Alyssa Malonson, scored an equalizer from outside of the box.

Although Bay FC dominated possession throughout the match, as they like to do, their opponents did a great job limiting their chances. Gotham outshot Bay by a significant margin, as they led total shots 12-8, and shots on target 4-2.

The draw was Bay FC’s second straight result, however, it has reached the point of the season where single points won’t be enough if they’re pushing for the postseason.

There are only five games remaining, and Bay FC are currently nine points behind the eighth place North Carolina Courage. As a result, Bay FC needs to win moving forward, otherwise they’ll miss the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

Next match Sat Sep 27: It’s the Utah Royals FC vs. Bay FC at Pay Pal Park with a 7:00pm PT kick off.

Bay FC match wrap: Kansas City defense holds off Bay FC in 2-0 shutout at Pay Pal Park

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The Kansas City Current were putting it on net all night long and kept Bay FC goaltender Jordan Silkowitz seen leaping and stopping a shot busy all night long at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Sat Sep 6, 2025 (Photo by: John Hefti-Imagn Images)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC returned to PayPal Park on Saturday night as they hosted Kayla Sharples and the league-leading Kansas City Current. The Current got goals from Michelle Cooper at the 45th minute and Temwa Chawinga at the 90 + 2 minute to shutout Bay FC 2-0 on Saturday.

New acquisition Sydney Collins was in the starting eleven for the first time since joining Bay, while Kelli Hubly was honored pregame for her 100th career game.

Both teams started out the game with physicality but it was Kansas City who had a great opportunity in the 12th minute. The attack forced Jordan Silkowitz to make a save then moments later, defender Joelle Anderson made a goal-line save of her own. Moments later, Silkowitz was forced to make another save which went out for a corner.

VAR stopped the play shortly after Maddie Moreau was taken down inside of the box, however upon review it was determined that there was no foul on the play.

Kansas City were getting quite a few shots, but they were all either off target or being saved by Silkowitz early on. Rocky Rodriguez was shown the game’s first yellow card in the 40th minute.

Kansas City took the lead in the 45th minute with a goal off the foot of Michelle Cooper. The Current would carry that 1-0 lead into halftime.

Bia Zaneratto nearly made it 2-0 with a shot from inside of the box, but it had just too much on it, as it went above the crossbar. Tess Boade had a similar chance in the 63rd minute that ended with the same result.

Silkowitz made a diving save to deny the Current in the 66th minute and she was called upon again in the 76th minute. Rachel Hill was shown Bay FC’s first card of the night in the 78th minute.

Bay’s attack really started to come alive around the 80th minute, but they still couldn’t get the ball into the net.

Temwa Chawinga added an insurance goal in stoppage time, and Kansas City walked away with a 2-0 win.

Washington edges Bay FC 3-2 as The Show must go on at Oracle Park

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The Washington Spirit and Bay FC match set a NWSL record for the most attended game at 40,091 fans at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Aug 23, 2025 (Getty photo)

By William Espy

SAN FRANCISCO–It was The Show at Oracle Park on Saturday afternoon, as Bay FC lost the Washington Spirit 3-2 at the home of the San Francisco Giants in front of a record-breaking crowd of 40,091 fans. The festivities started before the game, as Oakland-based rapper Mistah F.A.B performed alongside 7 year-old Junie Ma at the conclusion of warm-ups.

The Spirit came out of the gate generating some chances, forcing goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz to make a big save in the 7th minute, but unfortunately for the home team, Washington would score on the following corner kick. The goal came off the foot of Kate Wiesner and Bay FC faced an early deficit.

Taylor Huff’s shot on target was denied by Aubrey Kingsbury in the 16th minute and a deflection by Rachel Hill went just wide moments later. Caroline Conti intercepted a Hal Hershfelt pass in the 19th minute, generating a chance for Bay but the shot sailed well over the goal.

Bay FC had a few more opportunities as we neared the half hour mark, but still hadn’t gotten on the scoreboard. In the 35th minute, Alyssa Malonson was shown the game’s first yellow card. Hershfelt was shown a yellow just a couple of minutes later, in the 37th minute.

Washington took a 2-0 lead when a tackle on Taylor Huff left her down in discomfort, and the Spirit were able to take advantage with Croix Bethune putting it away. Moments later, Huff would be shown a yellow card for a very similar tackle.

Washington would make it 3-0 in stoppage time when Bay FC scored an own goal. Bay would get one back before the half, off of a header by Rachael Kundananji to make it 3-1 heading into the break.

Albertin Montoya made a single change to start the second half, with Dorian Bailey coming in for Kiki Pickett. Hill nearly got a goal of her own in the 54th minute, but it was tipped out for a goal kick by Kingsbury. On the ensuing corner, Bay got another one back off the head of Kelli Hubly, reducing the lead to just a single goal.

In the 60th minute, Joelle Anderson was shown a yellow card which was followed up by Caroline Conti receiving one two minutes later.

In the 77th minute, Karlie Lema and Hannah Bebar entered the match for Hill and Jamie Shepherd. In the 87th, Caroline Conti was taken off for Maddie Moreau.

A corner kick late in stoppage time led to a header by goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz nearly tying the game, but she was denied by Kingsbury. Ultimately, time would run out on Bay FC’s comeback attempt and they’d fall 3-2.

Next match: Bay FC will head to Angel City FC on Mon Sep1, 2025 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles for a 6:00pm PT kick off.

Bay FC match report: San Diego defense shuts down Bay FC 2-1 Saturday

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Bay FC forward Penelope Hocking, center, is seen on the sideline before a NWSL soccer match against San Diego Wave FC in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025.Stephen Lam/S.F. Chronicle

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC hosted the San Diego Wave on Saturday night. Bay were looking to start climbing up the standings, while San Diego attempted to solidify their spot near the top of the league table. The Wave were able to use some good defense to shut down Bay FC from making a come back late in the match 2-1 at Pay Pal Park.

San Diego got a chance from a free kick in the opening minutes, but the shot hit the crossbar and Jordan Silkowitz was in the perfect position to make a save if it was a bit lower as well.

Silkowitz had to make a few saves early in the match, as the San Diego attack looked to get on the board, but she stood tall.

In the 23rd minute, Silkowitz went down with an apparent cramp but quickly got back up and remained in the game. In the 26th minute, Rachel Hill was taken down inside the box, but, rightfully, no penalty was awarded.

In the 45th minute, Rachael Kundananji went down after a collision in midfield. San Diego goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan showed tremendous sportsmanship, as she immediately came over to check on her, just as she did for Silkowitz earlier in the match. Kundananji got some attention from the training staff, but remained in the match.

The match remained a draw heading into halftime, but possession was massively in favor of the visiting side.

Kundananji got a shot on target in the 49th minute, with a strong run past the Wave defense but Sheridan made an easy save. Silkowitz followed suit with a save of her own in the 51st minute. Unfortunately for Bay, moments later San Diego would take the lead in the 52nd minute with a goal by 17-year-old Kimmi Ascanio.

Silkowitz made a phenomenal diving save in the 57th minute to keep the deficit at just a single goal.

San Diego made the first substitution of the night in the 60th minute with Trinity Armstrong entering for Hanna Lundkvist. Meanwhile in the 62nd minute, Taylor Huff was shown the first yellow card of the night.

Kenza Dali made it 2-0 in the 64th minute, right before Albertin Montoya was set to make a wholesale change. Dorian Bailey, Kiki Pickett and Tess Boade entered after the goal in an attempt to right the ship, but it seemed like Montoya waited too long to make the changes.

Boade gave Sheridan another save in the 69th minute, as the shot went directly to the Wave goalkeeper.

San Diego was called for a handball inside the box in the 73rd minute, and Caroline Conti stepped up to the spot. She scored on the shot, and Bay FC trailed by only a single goal with 15 minutes to go. At that point, Montoya took out Kelli Hubly for forward Asisat Oshoala as they desperately needed an equalizer.

Perle Morroni was shown a yellow in the 89th minute. Ultimately, Bay FC’s comeback attempt would come up short, and they’d fall 2-1.

Dash’s Schmidt forces 2-2 draw against Bay FC at Pay Pal Park

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Houston Dash midfielder Kiki Van Zanten (12) and Bay FC defender Caprice Dydasco (3) battle for the ball during the first half of an NWSL soccer game in San Jose, Saturday. Aug. 2, 2025.D. Ross Cameron/For the Chronicle

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC got back to regular-season action when they hosted the Houston Dash on Saturday night at PayPal Park in front of 15,002 fans. The Dash’s Sophie Schmidt in the 88th minute scored to force a 2-2 draw in a real nail biter in NWSL action.

Penelope Hocking nearly got Bay on the board in the second minute, when a pass from Rachael Kundananji found her right in front of goal, but the crossbody shot was too tight of an angle, and it went just wide.

Bay was pressing hard in the offensive third, earning the ball back and generating chances consistently early in the match. Kundananji would eventually connect with Hocking with a low pass through the box, which Hocking put away for her fifth goal of the season, making it 1-0 in favor of the home side in the 16th minute.

Kiki Van Zanten was shown the first yellow card of the game in the 22nd minute for a challenge on Caprice Dydasco. Less than a minute later, Caroline Conti was shown one for a similar challenge on a Dash attacker.

Jane Campbell denied a shot from Kundananji from point-blank range in the 27th minute, then again on the ensuing corner-kick. Houston had a few dangerous chances in the 33rd minute, crossing the ball across the box multiple times, but were unable to get a shot on target.

Hocking went down in the 36th minute after a collision inside the box. After getting some quick medical attention, she got back to her feet and remained in the match.

Jordan Silkowitz was saved by the goalpost when Delanie Sheehan hit the iron in the 42nd minute, keeping Bay FC in the lead. They’d carry that lead into the half, holding the Dash without a shot on target in the first 45 minutes.

Tess Boade entered the match for Dorian Bailey to start the second half, the only change for either side at halftime. Hannah Bebar nearly doubled Bay’s lead in the 50th minute, but a diving Campbell made the save. Kundananji had a phenomenal run in the 55th minute that should have ended in a goal, but instead the ball bounced off of the inside of the goalpost and out.

A yellow card was issued to Natalie Jacobs in the 56th minute.

Conti nearly got a goal in the 64th minute with a spinning attempt from right in front of the goal, but Campbell once again stood tall. Houston then took out Evelina Duljan in the 65th minute for Messiah Bright. Kiki Pickett entered the match for Hannah Bebar three minutes later.

Moments after Kelli Hubly went to the sideline due to a collision on field, Van Zanten scored an equalizer to make it 1-1. A minute later, Bay FC retook the lead with a goal from Taylor Huff, the first of her career.

Kundananji hit iron once again in the 76th minute. In the 78th minute, Alyssa Malonson was shown a yellow card as Maddie Moreau entered the match for Hocking.

Once again, Houston scored an equalizer in the 88th minute, this time with Sophie Schmidt scoring the goal. Kundananji was once again denied twice in the 90th minute, with the ball going out for a goal kick.

Unfortunately for Bay, they wouldn’t be able to pull off a reply twice in one night, and the game would end in a 2-2 draw.

Bay FC and Angel City FC play to a 1-1 draw in exhibition match

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Bay FC midfielder Catherine Paulson (17) takes the ball down the field against the Angel FC defender Sophia Mattice (25) during their exhibition match at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Sat Jul 19, 2025 (Bay Area News Group photo)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC got the 2025 Summer Series underway with an exhibition match against state rivals Angel City FC on Saturday afternoon that finished in a 1-1 draw at Pay Pal Park in San Jose.

Both sides had quite a few players unavailable, as many of the top talents are off representing their country in various international tournaments taking place this summer. As a result, quite a few players got opportunities to show what they can do and how they can make an impact.

Angel City opened the scoring in the 27th minute, when Jun Endo, who has yet to play in a regular season game this season due to injury, beat Emmie Allen and made it 1-0 in favor of the visitors. Catherine Paulson was taken down inside of the box late in the half, but there was no foul called.

Coach Albertin Montoya was livid, and after a conversation with the referee he was shown a yellow card. Kiki Pickett would also be shown a yellow herself in the 43rd minute.

Catherine Paulson was having a strong performance for Bay FC, however her aggression did lead to some mistakes. She was clearly hungry to show what she can bring to the table.

Bay FC would get an equalizer in the second half, when Penelope Hocking had a phenomenal one-touch finish off of a cross from Maddie Moreau, who entered the match after halftime.

Bay would carry a lot of pressure late in the match, with Kiki Pickett, Hocking and Jamie Shepherd all having chances in the final ten minutes of the match to give Bay FC the lead, but none of them found their way into the net.

Ultimately, the not-so-friendly, exhibition match would end in a 1-1 draw. Bay FC will have one more friendly before getting back to regular season action, as they’ll host Urawa Red Diamonds of the Japanese WE league on Sunday.

Orlando edges it out 1-0 on Banda 58th minute goal over Bay FC at Pay Pal Park

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Forward Racheal Kundananji (9) gets a kick away for Bay FC against the Orlando Pride at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Fri Jun 13, 2025 (Bay FC X photo)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC hosted the reigning NWSL champions, the Orlando Pride, on Friday night. The Pride haven’t been as dominant as they were last season, but they were still second in the league entering the matchup, behind only the Kansas City Current. The Pride were good enough to get by Bay FC 1-0.

Emmie Allen made her first ever start in goal for Bay FC, against a very dangerous attack that included Barbra Banda and Ally Watt just to name a couple.

Bay FC Starting XI: Allen, Malonson, Hubly, Dahlkemper, Dydasco, Bebar, Pickett, Huff, Oshoala, Kundananji, Lema

Orlando Starting XI: Morehouse, Dyke, Nadaner, Sams, Pickett, Yates, McCutcheon, Marta, Costantino, Banda, Watt

Taylor Huff got the best chance of the opening minutes, as she forced Anna Morehouse to make a diving save in the 10th minute, denying the Bay FC rookie of her long-awaited first-career goal. Ally Watt was taken down by Rachael Kundananji in the 13th minute in a hard collision, which likely could’ve seen the Bay FC forward given a yellow card, but she escaped with just a foul. Asisat Oshoala was getting called for multiple fouls early in the match as well, as a result, she was given a final warning by referee Muhammed Hassan less than half an hour into the game.

Marta nearly got the Pride on the board with a great run into the box in the 26th minute, but her shot went wide of the goal. Karlie Lema was shown a yellow card in the 30th minute when she pulled down a Pride player. Allen made her first save on a shot from point-blank range in the 31st minute. It would remain a deadlock heading into half-time, tied at 0-0.

Banda went down in the 51st minute with an apparent ankle injury after getting tangled up with two Bay FC defenders. After a couple of minutes, she ended up remaining in the game. Caprice Dydasco hit the crossbar in the 57th minute right after a corner kick, nearly giving the home side a go-ahead goal. After the referee called a foul, Orlando played a quick free kick, allowing Banda to get behind the defense, and she scored, making it 1-0.

Bay started bringing pressure late in the second half, getting shots through to Morehouse consistently, but with just 15 minutes remaining, they still trailed by a goal. Morehouse dropped the ball off of a corner in the 78th minute after being bumped by her own defender; however, the shot by Penelope Hocking was blocked, and the follow-up chance by Kundananji went over the goal. Caroline Conti nearly got an equalizer in the 82nd minute, but Morehouse was able to tip it over the bar.

Bay FC brought a lot of fight to the end of the game, but ultimately they weren’t able to get an equalizer and ended up falling to Orlando with a final score of 1-0.

Bay FC-Portland match wrap: Bay FC’s Malonson scores matches only goal in 1-0 win over Portland

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Bay FC celebrates Alyssa Malonson’s goal at the 39th minute against the Portland Thorns at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Sat Jun 7, 2025 (Bay FC X photo)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC returned home to PayPal Park on Saturday, as they hosted the Portland Thorns during a matinee game. Considering the two teams were fighting for positioning at the end of the 2024 season and aren’t far apart so far this season, this was a matchup that could end up having major playoff implications late in the season. It was almost like a playoff match with Bay getting a narrow victory 1-0 at Pay Pal Park in San Jose.

Bay Starting XI: Silkowitz, Malonson, Brewster, Dahlkemper, Dydasco, Bebar, Conti, Huff, Oshoala, Hocking, Hill

Thorns Starting XI: Bixby, Reyes, Perry, Hiatt, Torpey, Coffey, Sugita, Moultrie, Alidou, Hanks, Linnehan

Asisat Oshoala nearly got Bay on the board in the 9th minute when Jayden Perry slipped on the ball, creating an opportunity in transition. Oshoala’s shot hit the goalpost, though, and it remained 0-0. Up to that point in the match, Bay’s pressing in particular seemed to be giving them an upper hand. Even when they turned the ball over, they were fighting hard to win it back. Payton Linnehan received some medical attention in the 12th minute after going down while holding her leg, but she remained in the match.

After the stoppage, momentum seemed to swing in favor of the Thorns. Jordan Silkowitz made her first difficult save of the night in the 21st minute, denying Portland from point-blank range. In the 23rd minute, Jordan Brewster went down and got attention from the trainer before leaving the game with a lower leg injury in the 26th minute. Kelli Hubly took her place.

Oshoala got another opportunity in the 29th minute, but her shot went just wide of the goal. In the 30th minute, Portland had a header opportunity off of a corner kick, but it went just over the bar. Silkowitz blocked another one-on-one in the 32nd minute, denying Olivia Moultrie whose pressing forced a turnover in the Bay FC backline.

Oshoala was shown a yellow card for a collision with Perry in the 33rd minute. Turnovers in the defensive third quickly became a theme for Bay FC late in the first half, as they were holding onto the ball too long or misplacing passes that allowed the Thorns to quickly regain possession and launch another attack.

Alyssa Malonson opened the scoring in the 39th minute, when her overlap left her plenty of open space inside of the box. A difficult, but perfectly placed shot left Bella Bixby no chance to save it. Once again, Silkowitz made a dazzling save in the 43rd minute to maintain the home side’s 1-0 lead, which Bay FC would carry into halftime.

The second half would start with momentum seemingly back in Bay FC’s corner, but overall, it was a lot of back-and-forth action early in the half with neither team really taking advantage. Bixby made an easy save 67th minute, after the ball deflected off of a defender in front of the goal. Bay FC made some wholesale changes in the 71st minute with Racheal Kundananji, Dorian Bailey and Kiki Pickett entering the match for Taylor Huff, Asisat Oshoala, and Hannah Bebar.

Kundananji tried to make an instant impact, going one-on-one with a centerback in the 74th minute, however, her shot went just wide. With Kundananji in the game, it seemed as if Bay FC were trying to take advantage of the worn-down defense and were taking a route-one style approach of lumping it down the field.

It was generating chances due to her speed, but they weren’t converting on those opportunities. Penelope Hocking came off for Tess Boade in the 78th minute. Pickett was shown a yellow card in the 80th minute. Caiya Hanks came out of the game due to the incident, leaving Portland with ten players for the time being.

In the 84th minute, Alexa Spaanstra took Hanks’ place for Portland. In the 95th minute, it seemed as if Rachel Hill had extended Bay FC’s lead to 2-0; however, the play was deemed a handball. Portland went down the other way and nearly converted a chance in the 98th minute, but it went just wide and the final whistle blew moments later. Bay FC walked away victorious, with a 1-0 win at home.