Bay FC: How to watch, projected starting lineup and key dates in inaugural season
Bay FC kicks off its inaugural season today at 4:30 p.m. against Angel City FC in Los Angeles. Here's what you need to know about the expansion team's first-ever game in the National Women's Soccer League:
How to watch: NBC Sports Bay Area, NWSL-plus.
Today's game will be one of 10 Bay FC matches this season that will be broadcasted live on NBC Sports Bay Area and NBC Sports California. Nine matches can be streamed on NWSL+, the league's free streaming service. And 12matches will be available on ION, which can be accessed through a variety of different providers, including YouTubeTV, Fubo, Freevee, among others. Opponent: Angel City FC made its NWSL debut in 2022and struggled out of the gate, but last year the club made it to the quarterfinals. And while averaging almost 20,000 fans per game, the atmosphere should feel like a party in L.A.
BAY FC'S EXPECTED LINEUP
Goalkeeper: Lysianne Proulx The 24-year-old was part of Canada's roster at the 2023World Cup and has previously played professionally in Australia and Portugal. She's expected to take over the starting job from Melissa Lowder, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last week.
Defenders: Savy King (left back), Emily Menges (center back), Kayla Sharples (center back) and Caprice Dydasco (right back)
Keep an eye on 19-year-old King, a high school track star who might be the fastest player on the field. She was the No. 2 overall pick in the NWSL draft in January. Menges, Sharples and Dydasco provide a veteran presence on the back line. Midfielders: Alex Loera, Deyna Castellanos and Joelle Anderson Loera, 24, is seen as one of the game's brightest up-and-comers from the defensive midfield position and will be relied on to begin attacking transitions from the team's defensive third. Castellanos, a 24-year-old Venezuelan international, is a dynamic scoring threat with experience at Manchester City and Atletico Madrid. Attackers: Tess Boade, Asisat Oshoala, Scarlett Camberos Boade, 24, could get a chance to prove herself until Racheal Kundananji is ready to return from a knee injury in the coming weeks. Until then, Bay FC should count on two-time Ballon d'Or Award finalist Oshoala, a goal-scoring machine for Barcelona, to cause havoc on opposing defenders.
Manager: Albertin Montoya Montoya, 49, was the manager of the last rendition of women's professional soccer in the Bay Area, the FC Gold Pride. He won a title with the Pride in 2010, the second and final season of the team's existence before it folded. He's a former professional player who is known for his ability to develop young players. He wants to play a controlled game in which every possession starts by playing calmly out of the back and methodically picking tems apart. General manager: Lucy Rushton Rushton, 38, was a pioneering woman in English football during the beginning of her career, when she worked her way up as an analyst at Reading FC, helping the club earn a promotion to the English Premier League. She then helped Atlanta United enjoy a successful expansion in Major League Soccer before she became the second woman to be an MLS GM in 2021 with DC United.
KEY DATES IN THE FIRST HALF Saturday, March 30, 7 p.m. vs.
Houston Dash: Expect a sellout crowd for Bay FC's home opener at PayPal Park.
Saturday, April 20, 4:30 p.m. at Kansas City Current: Bay FC will play in CPKC Stadium, which opened Saturday as the world's first women's professional sports stadium.
Wednesday, May 1, 7 p.m. vs.
Portland Thorns FC: Bay FC will face off against the three-time NWSL champions.
Friday, May 24, 7 p.m. vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC: The reigning champs come to town.
Sunday, June 16, 7 p.m. vs. Utah Royals FC: Fellow expansion side Utah visits on Pride Night at PayPal Park.