Bay FC Faces Uphill Battle in playoff Push After Tough Loss to Angel city
Bay FC is running out of time to secure a playoff berth in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). A recent 2-1 defeat to Angel City FC underscores the urgency for the second-year club to string together consistent victories. The team’s postseason hopes are dwindling, and every match carries significant weight.
Match Recap: Angel City edges Bay FC
Angel City secured a crucial win Monday night, defeating Bay FC 2-1 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles before a crowd of 14,971. The victory marked angel City’s second consecutive win after a challenging eight-game stretch without a win.Here’s how the game unfolded:
12th Minute: Angel City rookie Riley Tiernan scored her team-leading eighth goal of the season, placing her second among NWSL rookies for most goals scored. she skillfully navigated past Bay FC defenders after a pass from M.A. Vignola.
37th Minute: Bay FC responded with a goal from Rachel Hill,capitalizing on a rebound off her initial shot against Angel City goalkeeper Hannah Seabert.
77th minute: The decisive goal came from Maiara Niehues,who headed a corner kick from Miyabi Moriya past Bay FC goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz.
Playoff Picture: A Steep Climb for Bay FC
The loss leaves Bay FC in a precarious position. Currently 12th in the NWSL standings with 17 points, they trail Gotham FC - holding the final playoff spot – by seven points. With only eight matches remaining, the margin for error is minimal.You can view the full NWSL standings here.
Recent Struggles and Key Absences
Bay FC is currently experiencing a difficult stretch,having lost three straight and going winless in their last seven games (0-5-2).Their last victory came on june 7th against the Portland Thorns.
Several factors are contributing to the team’s challenges:
Asisat Oshoala’s Absence: The team’s leading scorer with eight goals in 24 matches this year, oshoala was absent due to reported transfer negotiations with Al Hilal Saudi Women’s Premier league. Despite her initial impact as a “much-ballyhooed signing,” she hadn’t scored in her last 12 games.
Alyssa Thompson Transfer Rumors: angel City’s Alyssa Thompson was also absent amid speculation of a potential move to Chelsea in the English Women’s Super League. A transfer fee exceeding $1 million is anticipated. Transfers and Market Trends: The recent $1.5 million transfer of Lizbeth Ovalle to Orlando Pride highlights the increasing investment and competitive nature of the NWSL transfer market.
Looking Ahead: A Tough Schedule
Bay FC faces a challenging road ahead. their next match is Saturday at home against the first-place Kansas City Current (15-2-1). Bay FC previously lost to Kansas City 4-1 on May 11th.
Coach Albertin Montoya remains optimistic, stating, “Our team showed a lot of character again…we just keep battling, every single game we’re so close, they continue to believe. We’ve got a lot of games left to go get three points.”
The NWSL Championship is scheduled for November 22nd at PayPal Park.Original Publication Date: September 1, 2025, at 9:32 PM PDT.
