Bay FC delivered just enough offense and defense to earn their first-ever home victory at PayPal Park over the Seattle Reign, 3-2.
After Bay FC fell behind early due to defender Kayla Sharples’s own goal in the first half, Sharples rectified her error by scoring three minutes after the break. Shortly after, Bay’s Alex Loera hit a screamer into the net to help the home side take the lead, but Seattle’s Bethany Balcer evened the score up in the 83rd minute.
Bay FC substitute Joelle Anderson’s shot four minutes later received a fortunate deflection in the box, past the Reign’s keeper, and into the net. It ended up being the winning goal despite twelve anxious minutes of extra time.
Here is what we learned from the game.
Bay FC is all in on the attack
Through the first four games, it’s become evident that Bay FC will win by outscoring the opposition. Head coach Albertin Montoya’s game plan is to attack, attack, and attack with high pressure designed to force turnovers. Any time Bay FC gets the ball, they immediately will be on the front foot forward. The reason is quite apparent: they have one of the most feared offensive threats in the NWSL.
Sunday was the first game Montoya had his first-string forward line of Asisat Oshoala, Racheal Kundananji, and Tess Boade, and the threesome was a threat all game. Add in the attacking prowess of Deyna Castellanos and even blasts from outside the box from central midfielder Alex Loera, and you can see why Bay FC’s head coach is convinced he is on the right path.
“It’s a mentality and attitude that we can still go back and score another goal. We know in the weapons that we have,” explained Montoya.
“We look to attack people, right?” added midfielder Alex Loera. “…When you’ve got attackers like we do, I think we want them on the ball as much as possible.”
The defense will be a work in progress
While Bay FC can outscore any team, they still have to be careful not to concede goals. In their last two matches before Sunday, Bay FC gave up goals late in the game to lose against the Washington Spirit and the Houston Dash in their home opener. After reclaiming the lead in the 87th minute, Bay FC had to sweat through an extended added time and a Seattle goal called offsides to claim the full three points.
“For us, it’s just finishing all the way until the end,” said Montoya. “We started to panic there in the last twelve minutes, which felt like thirty-five minutes when the referee actually took the ball.”
Montoya conceded after the game that his coaching staff is focusing on the team’s attack first before working on their defense.
“I’ve chosen to address that a little bit later; whether it’s right or wrong, it’s how we like to do it,” explained Montoya. “I like to go forward and create chances. And it can be nerve-racking for almost everyone watching, including the coaching staff. It drives them crazy at times. But that’s just how we are. Then the defending, I think, is actually a little bit easier to work on as we progress.”
The team shows grit in a comeback victory
Despite falling behind in the first half to an own goal, the Bay FC players didn’t doubt that they would be able to put out a victory, thanks to their fearsome attack.
In the second half, the Bay scored three times to earn the first home victory for the club.
“I think, especially after the last few games, go down in final minutes, I think that’s something that we need to find within ourselves, to play with heart, and play with passion at the end and not lose focus,” said Sharples after the game. “I think we showcased that today. I think many times after the goals we’re getting together, we’re screaming at each other, ‘We can do this. We have to stay disciplined.’ You have to stay determined to keep the ball out of the net. And today, we did.”
Bench depth is a nice tool at Montoya’s disposal
For this game, Montoya made several adjustments to his side, especially on the defensive end. Alyssa Malonson started as the right back in place of Savy King, who had featured for the club’s first three matches. Malonson performed well in defense and got involved in the attack, before being subbed out in the 63rd minute.
Also, because of injury, Bay FC started veteran NWSL goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland in place of Lysianne Proulx. Rowland acquitted herself well in her first action for the club.
Montoya explained that having depth is both a blessing and a challenge.
“This is what’s been the challenge for me as a coach is we have twenty-six players. They can all start,” said Montoya. “That’s the quality we have on this team and the way they’re training every single day, and the fact that I have to sit five [on game days], it’s tough. But they’re the first ones working afterwards and supporting the team. And that’s the culture we’ve created.”
Fan support drives the team to success
Although Bay FC did not ultimately sell out 18,000-seat PayPal Park for the second game in a row, it was another impressive showing of fan support, with 16,719 fans packing the stadium.
The fans were engaged and cheering all game long, especially in extra time when the Bay’s backline looked a little shaky.
“The crowd, the fans, are truly the twelfth man out there,” said Sharples. “During the 90th minute, we heard them just screaming and shouting, ‘Bay FC, BayFC!’ I just want to say they’re so special; it means the world to us. And it really does inspire us and motivate us. So we are so appreciative of that.”
Next up, Bay FC heads back on the road against the KC Current on Saturday, April 20th, at 4:30 pm.
