In a match that was a sold out crowd of 18,000, Bay FC marked their home debut to a full house hosting the first women’s professional game since September 2010 when FC Gold Pride won to take what was then Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS). While that league folded in early 2012, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) took over as the top flight the following year. After a 14 year hiatus a major women’s team finally made their return to the Bay Area.
While the festivities was marked by hoopla and a massive celebration, the storybook ending did not happen as the visitors from Texas defeated the debutants 3-2 on a game winning goal at the end of stoppage time to grab their first victory of the year.
Deyna Castellanos made history as the very first player to score for Bay FC in their inaugural home debut. Her goal in the 19th minute set the stage for a back and forth that dominated the game.
While the home team carried a lead at halftime it was the second half that dominated play with Maria Sanchez drawing an equalizer in the 66th minute off Diana Ordonez. Later, it was Ordonez who scored off a penalty kick miss in the 87th minute after Bay FC Lysianne Proulx made a save.
It was a stoppage time goal from Rachael Kundananji three minutes into extra time where she drew the game level with 2 goals each. However it was Houston’s Havana Solaun who played spoiler to the party as she struck the goal on the upper left spot to give the Dash a win.
While the game did not result in one or three points, the match was a celebration and a welcome return of a top flight professional women’s soccer team that can take the place as the equal to the San Jose Earthquakes, whose stadium PayPal Park are hosting Bay FC . The team has played a very competitive brand which serves as a bridge to the game’s future.
Our extended photo album is here.
Bay FC (1 W – 0 D – 2 L) will try to get that very first home win when they host Seattle on Sunday April 14 at 5pm. Houston (1 W – 1 D – 1 L) will return home to host Washington on Friday April 12 at 5pm.