Hoping to end the first half of the season on a three-game winning streak, Bay FC could not rebound from a flat start in front of 11,384 fans at PayPal Park. They conceded two quick goals to the Washington Spirit in the first twenty minutes. Bay FC responded with several scoring chances in the remainder of the first and the start of the second halves but could not find the back of the net. Washington’s Ouleymata Sarr’s goal in the 57th minute effectively put the game out of reach for Bay FC and led to the final 3-0 scoreline.
Here is what we learned from the game:
Opening 20 minutes doom Bay FC
In their inaugural season, Bay FC has become known for aggressive offensive play from the first kick. But on Saturday night, the Washington Spirit was the team attacking from the start of the game.
“A difficult first 20 minutes,” Bay FC head coach Albertin Montoya said after the game. “We were not the team we’ve grown into.”
It only took the Spirit four minutes to score their first goal on a free kick. The ball was swung into the box and eventually ended up at the feet of Washington’s Trinity Rodman. She fired a ball across the mouth of the goal that was deflected out but into the path of Makenna Morris, who slotted the ball home from the six-yard box line.
In the 16th minute, Bay FC defender Alyssa Malonson was judged by referee Matthew Corrigan to have tripped up the Spirit’s Morris in the box. After a lengthy review, the referee stuck with his decision, and Trinity Rodman stepped up to the spot and converted the penalty for the 2-0 Spirit lead.
“I think we didn’t come out with as much intensity,” explained Bay FC’s Dorian Bailey. “Our pressing wasn’t as intense as it has been in the past few games in that allowed them to play more in our half.”
At one point in the first half, Washington had a 9-3 shots advantage until Bay finally knocked off the cobwebs and started to press back against the Spirit. Unfortunately, the first twenty minutes dug too big a hole for Bay FC to escape.
“I think we just gave them too much respect and forgot that we also know how to play the game,” said Bay FC midfielder Kiki Pickett after the game. “And I think we just have to focus on us more than the other team.”
Montoya remains positive despite setback
In the post-game press conference, Montoya remained positive about his squad’s growth over the first half of the season despite one poor performance.
“From the very beginning, where it was all about getting everyone together and understanding the way we play, and then it’s also your grit, showing some grit, some character,” explained Montoya. “And we’ve grown in all those different ways. And this is why it’s exciting.”
He noted that Bay FC responded to the poor start in the game by reigning in the Spirit attack and forcing much of the action through the remainder of the game. Bay created several good chances to score in the first half and the first part of the second half when the game was still in doubt. In the end, Bay FC outshot Washington 19-16 for the game, with five shots on target for both sides.
“In this game, if we would have come out with that mentality that we showed in the second half and late in the first half, it would have been a different game,” Montoya added. “And now it’s finding that consistency piece we can play against anyone in this league.”
Montoya was also asked to give his impression of the team’s improvement before the final ten games of the season, having moved into the final NWSL playoff spot. He noted that Bay FC’s players had finally started to figure out how to play together and compete.
“Now let’s go out there and win. And they have that mentality,” Montoya said. “We’ve gotten to that point. And that’s why the second half of the season is going to be exciting.”
Summer Cup gives team chance to experiment
With the NWSL Olympic break starting, Bay FC’s players will have a week off before returning to training camp. Although the league and team will be on break until late August, teams will stay busy participating in the inaugural NWSLxLiga MX Femenil Summer Cup, featuring the top pro leagues from the USA and Mexico playing a cup competition.
Montoya noted that he will use the three Summer Cup games to continue experimenting with Bay FC’s formation and tactics, give the veteran players a well-deserved rest, and let bench players showcase their skills and gain experience.
“It’s more about long term for our league standings than it is for Summer Cup,” he added.
Kundanmaji and Kruger face off before potential Olympic matchup
Instead of participating in the Summer Cup, several notable league players will head to France to represent their nation at the Olympics. On Saturday, we caught a potential one-on-one preview of the USA-Zambia game, with Zambia winger Rachel Kundananji squaring off against USA wide back Casey Kruger.
For large portions of the game, Kruger was a primary defender against Kundamaji and shadowed her more closely and physically than many other NWSL defenders have.
“I thought it was exciting for the fans,” Montoya said. “Credit to Casey because she kept Kundananji off the scoring sheet. But at the same time, Kundananji created all sorts of problems, and it’s a great matchup as [Kundananji] continues to grow into this league.”
With such a high level of intensity and skills, it appeared that both players had gotten into each other’s heads. On one clash, Kruger was judged to have been fouled by Kundananji. With her frustration boiling, Kruger batted the ball away with her hand while still on the ground. Shortly afterward, the usually even-keeled Kundamaji walked around the pitch, attempting to refocus herself.
In a few weeks, both players may once again square off, the lights will be brighter, and the stakes will be even higher in the first Olympic game for both countries when the USA and Zambia square off on July 25.
A proper sendoff for Washington and Bay Olympic players
After the game, Bay FC hosted a Post-Match Olympic sendoff. They honored not only the three Bay players heading to France (Rachael Kundananji (Zambia), Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria), and Lysianne Proulx (Canada), but four Washington Spirit players as well (Trinity Rodman (USA), Casey Kruger (USA), Hal Hershfelt (USA), and Gabby Carle (Canada).
Bay FC founder Brandi Chastain announced the players going to the Olympics. After all the called-up players received bouquets of flowers, they posed for a group photo. Next up is what promises to be an electric and fun Olympic women’s soccer tournament.