Bay FC missed a golden opportunity to consolidate their playoff position, losing 1-0 to the Kansas City Current on Saturday night at PayPal Park.
KC’s Temwa Chawinga 25-yard blast in the 31st minute was the game’s deciding factor.
Here is what we learned from the game
Mistake and non-calls by ref decide close match
In a tactical game where both sides attempted to stamp out the other side’s strengths, this match was decided on the margins.
Bay FC was determined to pressure Kansas City and create goal opportunities. At the same time, KC seemed content to sit back, play over the compact Bay defense, and attempt to convert the few good opportunities presented to them.
With both teams sticking to their respective game plans, it took a Bay FC miscue to set up Kansas City’s game-winning goal.
In the 31st minute, on a throw-in in their defensive end, Bay FC defender Caprice Dydasco threw a ball into Kiki Pickett a little short. As Pickett looked to control the ball, Current forward Temwa Chawinga sensed an opening and was able to take the ball off Pickett and ran in on goal unopposed.
She cleanly picked out the right corner of the goal to shoot it past sprawling Bay keeper Katelyn Rowland to score her 19th goal of the season.
“When someone scores a goal from about 25 yards out, that’s a tough one,” noted Bay FC head coach Albertin Montoya after the game.
Meanwhile, for Bay FC, there were two possible penalty opportunities that referee Danielle Chesky decided not to award.
In the fifth minute, Current defender Kayla Sharples cleared a corner kick off the goalline. The ball fell to KC’s Lo’eau LaBonta, who appeared to have handled the ball before clearing it from the box. However, after a lengthy video review from the referee, Danielle Chesky, she decided it wasn’t penalty-worthy.
Again, in the 51st minute, a Bay FC shot appeared to deflect off the hand of KC defender Alana Cook, but it was not even reviewed.
“There could have been maybe two PKs. I have to go back and look at it. I thought, of course, I’m going to think their handballs, but they were handballs,” said Montoya. “We’ve seen penalty kicks given for less than that.”
If either of those potential handballs had been awarded, Bay FC would’ve earned a valuable point. Instead, they took the loss.
Bay FC’s final pass fails them once again
Despite having over 56 percent of the possession, Bay FC only took seven shots all game, with three on target.
After the game, Montoya was happy with his team’s creating opportunities to score. However, he was still disappointed in the team’s inability to convert that final pass and touch into goals.
“What I look at is, are we getting those opportunities? Are we getting into the 18? Are we at least creating those chances? And that’s the difference between getting some goals and not,” said Montoya. “But when we’re that close, it’s just like, okay, that’s got to be a little bit better.”
Penelope Hocking noted that the club has been working hard in practice on finishing but was disappointed their work on the practice field was not translating into the games.
“I think it’ll come, and it’s just a matter of time, so we’re pretty confident that it will come,” said Hocking. “The confidence isn’t an issue.”
Fortunately, Bay FC’s defense has kept them in games. However, the club has scored more than one goal in a game only once since June 8th, their 3-1 victory over Portland.
“It just comes down to a little bit also the individual finishing a mentality, and that’s why one of the most difficult things to do in the game is scoring goals,” said Montoya.
If Bay FC can not convert the opportunities it creates into goals in its final two regular-season games, it might miss out on the playoffs.
Injuries to key players affect Bay FC
Coming into the game, Bay FC faced the daunting task of taking on one of the best clubs in the NWSL without two of their most consistent attacking options on the pitch or even the bench.
“Not to make excuses, but having (Rachel) Kundananji and Tess (Boade) out, they are two players who have done really well for us,” noted Montoya. “But we’ll have them back soon enough.”
Racheal Kundananji has been Bay FC’s most creative player all season, but a calf injury kept her out of the game. Without her on the pitch, Bay’s attack was much more predictable, allowing KC to sit back and absorb Bay FC’s attempts.
Tess Boade, who has also proven all season to be an essential cog in Bay FC’s attack, was also missed due to illness.
Hocking came in off the bench and provided a nice spark out wide.
Deyna Castellanos, who had been anchored to the bench, also made an appearance in the starting eleven but could not provide the clinical pass or deadly free kick that could’ve helped Bay FC get a point out of the match.
Missed opportunity to solidify playoff position
Bay FC came into the game three points clear of ninth-place Racing Louisville, and a draw or a win would’ve locked the Bay into an advantageous position. However, after the loss, Bay must hope that the Washington Spirit either defeats or ties Louisville on Sunday to hold onto the eighth and final NWSL playoff spot. If Racing wins, they will be tied on points with Bay FC but ahead on goal differential.
That makes Bay FC’s last home game at PayPal Park on Oct. 19th crucial to their chances of achieving their goal of making the playoffs as a first-year expansion side.
“Huge game against Carolina, based on the points and because it’s the last home game,” noted Montoya.
Bay FC then finishes the season on the road, facing off against Houston Dash on November 2.
“We gotta win the next two games,” added Bay FC defender Emily Menges. “Hope for some results that go our way, and just see how the rest of the season goes.”
