Loera to return for sold-out home opener
After the first heartbreaking finish in franchise history, Bay FC spent the first few training sessions back on the West Coast feeling not all that bad about their loss to the Washington Spirit.
Bay FC surrendered a goal to Spirit rookie Croix Bethune in the 95th minute, falling 2-1 and costing the team a point in the standings. It’s a crushing way to lose a match, but they learned important lessons.
More important: The team is starting to play in the style head coach Albertin Montoya has been hoping it would. Montoya said it has left him more encouraged than he was after the season-opening win in Los Angeles.
“If you asked me after the Angel City game, I’d say we are way behind,” said Montoya after practice this week as his team prepares for its home debut Saturday against Houston in San Jose. “But after this game, I’d say we’re right on pace. We created some good opportunities by our possession. … We asked the team to improve in the type of football we play and huge improvement from our first game.”
They’ll get to introduce their home crowd to that style in grand fashion. The franchise’s first home game is a sellout at the 18,000-capacity PayPal Park.
Saturday’s loss came without first-week captain Alex Loera, who was out due to an “internal club matter” that the team would not detail. Menges, who wore the captain’s armband in Washington, said she found out she would captain that match in the locker room before they went onto the field.
Loera will be back in action on Saturday, according to Montoya, and she was one of the players with the team for an event Tuesday with San Francisco Mayor London Breed.
“She is an integral part of our team, and she’ll be playing and practicing this week,” Montoya said. “So we’re excited to have her back. … She’ll absolutely” play on Saturday.
Kundananji making progress: Racheal Kundananji is still questionable, but she has been training with the team for two weeks and traveled to D.C. last week before being ruled out of the match with the Spirit. She was a full participant this week training at San Jose State.
Where the Zambian standout will play is still unclear. Asisat Oshoala, who scored in Week 1, has been stellar at her natural striker spot. Kundananji can also play on the left side, and Tess Boade has played well enough to potentially retain her starting lineup spot.