Tag: NWSL

Bay FC match wrap: Pride holds off Bay FC in 3-1 win

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Bay FC’s Racheal Kundananji tries to move past Orlando defender Julie Doyle at PayPal Park on Sunday. Kundananji scored Bay’s only goal in a 3-1 loss to the Pride. (Supriya Limaye / Bay FC)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC was back at home on Sunday afternoon as they hosted the Orlando Pride. The Pride got scoring help from Haley McCutcheon and Lizbeth Ovalle scored twice for a 3-1 win at Pay Pal Park in San Jose.

Things didn’t get off to a very good start for the home side, as Orlando defender Haley McCutcheon scored in just the second minute to give the Pride a very early lead at PayPal Park.

Bay defender Joelle Anderson saved a second goal, this time off the foot of Barbra Banda, in the fourth minute. Bay had a few attempts on goal in the opening minutes, but they finally got rewarded for their efforts in the 11th minute when Rachael Kundananji was able to tie things up.

The game remained a 1-1 deadlock heading into halftime, but again Bay FC had a slow start to the half and, once again, Orlando capitalized. McCutcheon scored her second of the night in the 47th minute, just two minutes into the second half.

Agostina Holzheier was shown a yellow card in the 86th minute, then Orlando got one shown to Jacqueline Ovalle a minute later. Then, in the 96th minute, Ovalle doubled Orlando’s lead and handed her team a 3-1 victory over Bay.

It was a disappointing loss for Bay FC, which had major implications for the season as a whole.

Bay now sits 14 points outside of a playoff spot, the last of which is currently held by the Seattle Reign and with teams starting to clinch a spot in the postseason, Bay FC has officially been eliminated from contention as they can only get 12 more points. They have two more home games remaining, with the next one against the Portland Thorns on October 18.

Bay FC match wrap: Bay FC shuts down Racing Louisville’s offense with 2-0 shutout

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Bay FC’s Alex Preiffer (far left) gets congratulated by her teammates after her second-half goal broke a scoreless tie with Racing Louisville FC. Bay wound up winning 2-0 at PayPal Park on Sunday night. (Courtesy of Erin Chang / Bay FC)

By William Espy

Bay FC returned home to PayPal Park on Sunday evening as they hosted Racing Louisville. With playoffs hopes all but dashed for Bay FC, they were looking to build some momentum against another struggling team to finish the season on a high note and they pulled that off with a 2-0 shutout over Racing Sunday at Pay Pal Park in San Jose.

The first half ended scoreless, with the only notable event being a yellow card issued to Louisville’s Arin Wright in the 35th minute.

It didn’t take Bay long to break the deadlock in the second half though, as Alex Pfeiffer was able to beat Louisville goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer in the 50th minute. Then, just six minutes later, Karlie Lema doubled Bay FC’s lead with a goal of her own.

Emma Coates made the first changes of the night in the 64th minute, taking out Rachael Kundananji and Lema with Keira Barry and Cristiana Girelli taking their place.

Bay would make a few more substitutions late in the game with Caroline Conti and Maddie Moreau taking over for Pfeiffer and Sydney Collins in the 84th minute, followed by Dorian Bailey taking over for Taylor Huff in the 90th.

In stoppage time, Conti picked up Bay’s only yellow card of the night, but the team held on to win 2-0. They were dominant in every statistical aspect of the game, including possession, shots, and even tackles. Bay will be back at home next Sunday as they host the Orlando Pride.

Bay FC match wrap: KC Current just get by Bay FC 2-1

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Kanas City Current Izzy Rodriguez (18) boots the futbol against the Bay FC at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Fri Sep 4, 2026 (KC Soccer Journal photo)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC were back at PayPal Park on Friday night as they hosted the Kansas City Current, who brought a couple of familiar faces along with them, Kayla Sharples and Penelope Hocking. It was also a revenge game for Jordan Silkowitz, Claire Hutton and Alex Pfeiffer on Bay FC’s side of things, as they got an opportunity to face their old team. KC just got by the Bay FC in a close match with a 2-1 win.

Karlie Lema had a great run through the Current defense in the fifth minute, battling with the aforementioned Sharples in an attempt to get a shot on target. Lema’s shot ended up hitting the side netting, but she was making an early impact. Despite a strong start by Bay FC, it was Kansas City’s Izzy Rodriguez who scored the first goal of the night, kicking the ball into the net directly from a corner.

Kansas City’s Laney Rouse was shown a yellow card in the 37th minute, the first of the night, for a dangereous tackle on Alex Pfeiffer. Bay FC were clearly upset by the foul and thought it could have constituted a red card, but play continued regardless of their protests.

Bay FC tied things up in stoppage time as Karlie Lema was able to get her foot on a loose ball that was lying next to Current goalkeeper Marisa Jordan and put it in the back of the net.

By the halftime whistle, the game’s physicality had drastically become a key to success for both teams. Both sides were using heavy tackles and were committing fouls fairly regularly and it only seemed to increase as time went on. After 45 minutes, the game remained tied at a goal apiece.

The Current seemed very aggressive coming out of the break, leading to a few whistles. Roughly five minutes into the second half, there was a slight delay for Joelle Anderson who took an unfortunate hit to the head and exited the game. Aldana Cometti entered the game to take Anderson’s spot.

Lema tangled with Sharples again in the 67th minute, this time in a much more violent manner. After both players crashed to the ground, Lema was given a yellow card for her troubles.

In the 73rd minute, Emma Coates took Lema off the pitch, allowing Rachael Kundananji to make her return after an absence for international duty. Moments later, Croix Bethune was shown Kansas City’s second yellow card after she took down Cometti away from the ball.

Kundananji didn’t take long to make her presence felt, as her speed generated a scoring chance for Bay FC in the 83rd minute, but Jordan made the save to keep the game deadlocked. Hannah Bebar was shown a yellow card in the 84th minute.

Hocking made her return to PayPal Park in the 84th minute, while Bay FC brought on Dorian Bailey and Agostina Holzheier at the same time.

Kansas City broke the tie in the 89th minute, as Rocky Rodriguez was able to fire a shot from just outside of the box, which found the top corner of the goal and secured a 2-1 lead for the Current.

This time, Bay would be unable to find an equalizer and they suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Current, with the dagger coming in the closing moments.

Bay FC Match wrap: Fishlock gets the game winner for Seattle edge Bay FC 3-2

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Bay FC midfielder Claire Hutton (8) runs up the pitch against the Seattle Reign at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Sat Aug 1, 2026 (Bay FC X photo)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC looked to avenge their disappointing midweek loss against Seattle Reign FC on Saturday evening. But in the end the Reign got a winning score late in the match in the 85th minute by Jess Fishlock for a 3-2 win against Bay FC.

Seattle got out to a very early lead in the sixth minute, as a low cross found the foot of Mia Fishel right in front of the goal. Bay’s goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz was forced to make a big save moments later, as a collision between Caroline Conti and a Seattle midfielder resulted in an attacking opportunity for the Reign with minimal defense. Her work wasn’t anywhere near done, though, as less than a minute later, she was forced to make another diving save after a dangerous free kick opportunity by the Reign.

A counterattacking opportunity for Seattle saw Maddie Dahlien make it 2-0 for the visitors after a through-ball passed right between the legs of Bay FC’s captain, Sydney Collins, for an easy goal. 

Bay FC got one back in the 13th minute, when Hannah Bebar scored her first career NWSL goal to make it a 2-1 game. Less than 10 minutes later, the game would seemingly be level as Dorian Bailey was able to take advantage of a scramble in front of the goal. Her shot hit Claudia Dickey in the gloves, but ricocheted into the back of the net; for the second time this week, a Bay FC goal was disallowed for a controversial offside decision.

Jordan Silkowitz made another big save just after the half-hour mark, but for the second game in a row, she went down holding her back. She remained in the game after another slight delay.

Mia Fishel was shown the first yellow card of the night in the 47th minute, as she blocked a free-kick attempt from an improper position, delaying the game. Moments later, Dorian Bailey was shown a yellow card for a jersey-pull tackle just outside of the box. 

Seattle retained their 2-1 lead heading into the half-time break. Bay made a single substitution to start the second half, swapping Alex Pfieffer into the game for Sydney Collins. 

Caroline Conti was shown a yellow card in the 52nd minute, Bay’s second of the night. Bay then had an entertaining display of passing around the hour mark, which nearly generated a chance for Claire Hutton, but the referee was out of position, blocking the shooting lane inadvertently. Sam Meza was shown Seattle’s second yellow card in the 64th minute. 

Caroline Conti and Karlie Lema exited the match for Keira Barry and Taylor Huff in the 66th minute as Bay was hunting for an equalizer. That equalizer would come less than ten minutes later, as Barry scored her first goal with Bay FC, after a perfectly timed off-ball run up the wing to make it a 2-2 game. In the 84th minute, Bay made another pair of substitutions, bringing on veterans Abby Dahlkemper and Cristiana Girelli to close out the game. At the same time, Nerilia Mondesir was shown a yellow card for Seattle. 

In the 85th minute, Seattle restored their lead, making it 3-2 with a goal scored by Jess Fishlock, who had just entered the match moments earlier.

Seattle would hold on to their lead this time, walking away with a 3-2 victory. As a result, Bay FC failed to record a single point during their three-game week. 

Bay FC match wrap up: Tough 1-0 loss for Bay FC; Chicago’s Swanson scores match’s only goal

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Bay FC’s Maddie Moreau (24) fights for then ball against Chicago Stars FC’s Aaliyah Farmer (25) in the first half at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC were back at PayPal Park on Sunday afternoon as they hosted Mallory Swanson and Chicago Stars FC. Bay FC needed to find a way to solve their recent goal scoring woes against the team at the bottom of the table. Mallory spoiled her hosts match with a goal in the 70th minute the only goal of the contest as the Stars defeated Bay FC 1-0.

In the seventh minute, Bay FC goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz was forced to make her first big save of the afternoon as she denied a difficult shot from Ryan Gareis. At the other end of the pitch, Stars goalkeeper Katie Atkinson was forced to do the same two minutes later.

Joelle Anderson nearly set up Caroline Conti for the afternoon’s first goal in the 10th minute, but Conti was unable to get a shot off. Aldana Cometti took down Jordyn Huitema right outside of the 18-yard box in the 11th minute and the Argentina international was shown a straight red card, putting Bay FC shorthanded for the rest of the night.

Despite being a player down, Bay applied considerable offensive pressure in the following minutes.

There would be a short delay in the 29th minute after Conti took some contact to the eye, but after getting a bit of medical attention, she remained in the game. Claire Hutton was shown a yellow card for a dangerous high kick in the 32nd minute.

Taylor Huff seemingly opened the scoring in the 39th minute, running past the defense and putting it into the net, but it was ruled that Cristiana Girelli was offside prior to the goal and it was disallowed.

The game would remain a 0-0 draw heading into halftime.

Jordan Silkowitz collided hard with Huitema in the 51st minute. While Huitema quickly got to her feet and returned to the Chicago sideline, Silkowitz took a bit longer to return to her feet but she remained in the game.

Girelli had a scoring opportunity in the 60th minute, but a late slide tackle by the Chicago defender was able to dispossess her of the ball, as it went out for a corner.

Jordan Silkowitz was shown a red card in the 63rd minute for handling the ball outside of the box, leaving Bay with nine players and Emmie Allen took over in the net.

Chicago took the lead in the 70th minute with a goal from Mallory Swanson, her first since 2024 as she just recently returned from maternity leave.

Allen was tested in the 85th minute, but was able to make a difficult diving save.

Manaka Hayashi was shown a yellow card in the 88th minute for a challenge from behind on Claire Hutton. Bay FC had a couple of opportunities to tie things up during stoppage time, but they were unable to do so. As a result, Chicago walked away with a 1-0 victory.

Bay FC Match wrap up: Bay FC in 1-1 draw with Boston Legacy

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Bay FC defender Aldana Cometti dribbles past a Boston Legacy FC player on May 15, 2026 at PayPal Park in San Jose. (Photo: Bay FC)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–On Friday night, Bay FC faced off against Boston Legacy FC for the first time ever and what a first meeting as both clubs finished in a 1-1 draw. Boston had already carved out a reputation for themselves as a physical, hard to play against type of team. Bay FC needed to find a way to overcome their goalscoring struggles though, if they were going to walk away with the three points.

Bay FC got a chance early in the match, as Caroline Conti attempted to find Karlie Lema in front of the goal, but the ball bounced off of Lema and out of play in the second minute.Bay also had a pair of corner kicks in the opening minutes, but nothing came of them.

In the 18th minute, Conti generated another chance after forcing a turnover off of a Boston free kick. The ball bounced around between Lema and Rachael Kundananji, but neither was able to get a shot off before Boston’s goalkeeper Casey Murphy retrieved the ball. Bay had a couple of shots in the 25th minute, Lema shot it from point-blank range, and the rebound bounced to Dorian Bailey who was denied by Murphy as well. Amanda Gutirres hit the post in the 40th minute, nearly giving Boston a lead late in the first half.

A red card was issued to Bianca St-Georges after a dangerous challenge on Bay FC midfielder Claire Hutton. The game would head to halftime, still tied at 0-0.

Bay FC finally got on the board in the 51st minute with a goal by Dorian Bailey, who narrowly slipped the ball past Murphy and into the net.

After a VAR review, the official awarded a penalty to Boston for a foul on Jordan Silkowitz, who was visibly upset with the decision. Boston’s Amanda Gutirres stepped up to the penalty spot and put the ball past Silkowitz, who dove in the wrong direction, tying the game at a goal apiece. Cristiana Girelli and Taylor Huff entered the game for Bay FC in the 66th minute.

Annie Karich was shown a yellow card in the 77th minute for a challenge on Hannah Bebar. Tess Boade and Maddie Moreau entered the game for Bay FC in the 82nd minute, looking to give them a late burst of energy.

Bay nearly broke the deadlock in the 90th minute when they caused a scramble around the goalkeeper, but it wasn’t meant to be. Murphy made another big save for Boston in stoppage time and Bay FC failed to convert on the ensuing corner kick. Ultimately, the game would end in a 1-1 draw. Bay FC outplayed their opponent on the pitch, but giving up a key penalty came back to bite them in the long run.

Bay FC match report: Bay gets the edge on Denver Summitt FC 2-1

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Bay FC’s Claire Hutton runs up the pitch against the Denver Summitt FC at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Sat Mar 14, 2026 (Bay FC X photo)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC kicked off their 2026 season on Saturday afternoon with their home opener against expansion side Denver Summit FC with a 2-1 win at Pay Pal Park.

Bay FC controlled possession for the majority of the opening minutes, forcing turnovers in midfield and generating chances. With that being said, errant passes did cost them quite a few of those chances, but that’s expected with an abundance of new players in the lineup.

In the eighth minute, recently acquired Alex Pfeiffer scored Bay FC’s first goal of the season, and her first with her new club, to give Bay an early 1-0 lead. After the goal, Denver came out with a bit more offensive pressure, but Bay FC’s defense held strong.

Karlie Lema nearly doubled Bay’s lead in the 15th minute when she got past the goalkeeper, but it was too tight of an angle, and her shot went into the side netting. The Summit tied it up in the 20th minute with the first goal in franchise history, scored by Melissa Kossler.

Denver’s captain, Janine Sonis, was shown the first yellow card in club history after a dangerous challenge on Pfeiffer in the 26th minute. Moments later, though, the video assistant referee conducted a review and changed the call to a red card, leaving Denver with 10 players. Five minutes later, Joelle Anderson scored her first of the season to restore Bay’s lead.

There was a bit of ping pong in front of Bay FC’s goal in the 38th minute, bouncing off multiple defenders, and it seemed like they might score an own goal, but eventually the defense was able to clear it out.

Joelle Anderson was shown Bay FC’s first yellow card of the season following a challenge on Ayo Oke in the 51st minute.

Bay made a couple of substitutions around the hour mark, as Caroline Conti and the debuting Keira Barry took the field for Pfeiffer and Lema. Moments later, Denver took off Ally Brazier for Yuna McCormack.

After getting hit in the head by a shot, Carson Pickett was substituted off for Natalie Means. Anouk Denton then was brought on to make her Bay FC debut in the 84th minute.

Barry was shown her first yellow card in the NWSL in the 88th minute. Moments after the yellow card, Kundananji had a phenomenal scoring chance, but was denied by Denver’s goalkeeper, Abby Smith.

Kundananji was shown a yellow card during stoppage time, but moments later the final whistle blew and Bay FC was victorious.

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

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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.