A red card against defender Aldana Cometti in the 12th minute and goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz in the second half reduced Bay FC to nine field players against the Chicago Stars. The last-place Stars took advantage to defeat Bay 1-0 thanks to Chicago winger Mallory Swanson’s goal in the 70th minute. Despite being down two players, Bay FC had several chances to tie the game in the dying moments but were unable to get the equalizer.
Here is what we learned from the game:
Bay FC seemingly getting short end of stick in referee decisions
For the second home game in a row, Bay FC were left ruing a referee’s decision that cost them a chance to claim a win over a team near the bottom of the NWSL standings.
Last week, after taking a lead in the second half against the Boston Legacy, the teams tied 1-1 following a controversial penalty call. A post game refereeing critique video explained that the VAR review should never had happened because there was no clear and obvious mistake made by the referee on the field.
On Sunday afternoon, Bay FC was once again affected by a referee’s decision after only 12 minutes when Bay FC defender Aldana Cometti was shown a red card by referee Atahan Yaya.
The play started when Chicago Star forward Jordyn Huitema got around Bay defender Joelle Anderson, leaving only Cometti between her and the goalie. Just outside the penalty box, Huitema attempted to push the ball past Cometti. As the defender reached out her leg to attempt and deflect the ball, she took down Huitema. Yaya immediately called the foul and reached into his pocket to take out a red card, to the disbelief of many in the stadium.
Although the foul seemed to warrant nothing more than a yellow card, according to a literal interpretation of the rules of the game about Denial of Goal-Scoring Opportunity (DOGSO), a foul committed by the last defender in a clear goal-scoring opportunity outside the penalty box has to be a red card except in limited circumstances.
Asked about the decision after the game by a pool reporter, the PRO (Professional Referee Organization) response confirmed their reasoning: “In the 12th [minute], #21 Aldana Cometti committed a tripping offense which resulted in a denying of a goal scoring opportunity where red card was given.”
After the game, Bay FC head coach Emma Coates was careful to not criticize the referee’s decision, especially since she has not seen a replay of the incident. “I remember right, I think it’s come off like a bit of a loose pass and a bit of a transitional moment, so I don’t think we should ever be in that position. And obviously, [Aldana Cometti] been than put in a difficult position when someone’s faced up and running with the ball,” said Coates. “I was surprised that it was a sending off, but as I say, I’ve not seen it.”
The second referee decision that affected the game was when Bay FC, despite being a player down, looked to take the lead in the 39th minute.
As “Ref you suck” chants rained down from the stands Bay midfielder Taylor Huff received the ball and delivered a looping shot that found the back of the net.
However VAR officials contacted Yaya to check the monitor. Upon review the referee judged that Bay FC forward Cristiana Girelli was slightly offside on the buildup to the goal.
The second questionable refereeing call sent the crowd into a frenzy booing the referee whenever they had a chance. Part of the reaction might be carry over from fans upset about last week’s penalty foul on Silkowitz.
“I love our fans first and foremost. I don’t want to comment on any of the decisions now. I’m sure everyone saw some of the reports that came out from previous games. I’ll be interested to see what the reports are from this one,” said Coates. “I’ll always back my team. I just wish for consistent team decisions, and essentially accountability, and hopefully improvement of the development of refereeing, which I know is something that they’re working on, and we have good conversations with the league and the program.”
Bay’s second red card was not controversial at all.
In the 62nd minute Chicago was finally able to spring a ball over the defense that left Bay FC goalie Jordan Silkowitz having to make a split second decision to rush out to the bouncing ball before Chicago got to it. She attempted to head the ball, but misread the bounce and then handled the ball out of the box. Yaya had no choice but to give Silkowitz a red card and reduce Bay FC to nine players on the field.
“One thing that Jordan has is a lot of heart and a lot of love for this team and their teammates,” explained Coates. “I thought she was wanting to be that extra player and come and defend the space, and I think she’s just misjudged the bounce.”
Seven minutes later Chicago’s Mallorie Swanson was able to get free running towads the goal and cleanly slotted a shot to the near post past the outstretched hands of Bay FC substitute goalkeeper Emmie Allen for the 1-0 lead they would not relinquish.
Bay FC almost steal a positive result
Despite being down almost eighty minutes of the game, Bay FC never looked like they were out of the match.
Bay’s midfield trio of Claire Hutton, Taylor Huff and Hannah Bebar were able to still control long swaths of the game despite the player deficit.
After Bay’s goal score in the first half was disallowed for being offsides, the team had a number of chances to take the lead early in the second half.
In the 59th minute a cross was redireced in front of goal by subsititute Rachel Kundananji. The ball fell to the feet of Claire Hutton but her shot attempt was blocked by two Chicago defenders.
A minute later Girelli was able to get into the box but as she teeded up her shot it was blocked by Chicago defender Kathrin Hendrich at the last second.
Then, after going down two players, Bay FC had a number of chances to score in second half extra time.
In the 93rd minute Kundananji had a golden opportunity to tie the game on a breakaway off a Chicago corner kick. Her shot from just outside the box sailed just over the crossbar.
In the final play of the game Hannah Bebar’s shot hit off the goal post and bounced out of the bounds.
“For a second, I thought it was going in. For a second, I did,” said Bebar after the game. “I think in the second half, despite being two people down, we had dangerous chances.”
After the game Claire Hutton noted the team’s never-say-die attitude was a positive to build on while also appreciating the fan support never wavering despite the long odds to equalize.
“The fans always show up, show out, and to hear them cheering after we went a man down, then two men down, and throughout the whole 90 plus minutes was helpful for us,” said Hutton. “And just to know that we have that support behind us keeps us going, keeps us moving, keep us running, and it’s always bigger than yourself when you’re out there.”
Bay FC hope lost points do not come back to haunt them at end of season
After playing three of their last four games at home, Bay FC only came away with two of a possible nine points from the three home games. A 0-0 draw against top-of-the-table Utah Royals looks better by the day, but the draw against Boston and the loss against the bottom of the table Chicago Stars may come back to haunt Bay as they chase a NWSL playoff spot.
After the game Coates took a long view of Bay FC’s setbacks so far this year while pointing out there is plenty of time to continue to improve with two/thirds of the season yet to come after the men’s FIFA World Cup break. Bay is only four points out of eight place in the standings and eight points out of fourth place.
“I think any break is is an opportunity. I think it’s an opportunity to pause, let the players recharge, reflect, see what we can tweak,” noted Coates. “Obviously, it’s a recruitment window as well, so you know, I think there’s a huge opportunity after this break.”
Bay FC will travel to Florida to take on the Orlando Pride on Friday May 29th. That will be their last game until July 5th when they play in Boston. Their next home game is not until July 18th when they take on the North Carolina Courage.
