While Bay Cities FC made U.S. Open Cup history with its win over Monterey Bay FC last month, the club still hadn’t earned a victory in their first 4 regular season matches in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA).
On Saturday night, the Redwood City-based club took control of the match early and never let go, cruising to a 3-1 home victory over Albion San Diego to move leapfrog over the visitors into third place in NISA’s Western Division.
The home side took the lead in the 9th minute, when a direct ball from Christian Dean in the midfield circle found Josiah Romero with room to run at the edge of the penalty area. Romero chested the ball forward and one-timed the ball into the net.
Bay Cities doubled their lead in the 51st minute, when Anthony Orendain made a quick turn to out-maneuver two San Diego defenders and found Tony Jimenez who plucked the ball out of the air and blasted a one-timer into the roof of the net.
The home side put the match away 3 minutes later, when San Diego’s Khadim Seye was called for a hand ball in the box on a cross by Orendain, who converted the subsequent penalty kick.
Bay Cities combined their offensive firepower with a strong defensive effort. Alan Cruz became the third goalkeeper to earn a start for the club this season, after Ian McGrane started the first three and Alonso Lara started in last weekend’s match vs. the Cal United Strikers.
Prior to the match, Bay Cities announced that McGrane had signed a contract with St. Louis City SC, which begins MLS play next season. McGrane was on the substitutes’ bench for St. Louis’s MLS NEXT Pro match vs. Real Monarchs on Friday.
Cruz was able to keep a clean sheet until stoppage time, when San Diego’s Jonathan Bazaes collided with Andres Jimenez in the box. Daniel Vicente converted the penalty kick for the visitors.
