The last thing Bay FC needed entering the final two weeks of the regular season was a loss while battling for one of the last playoff spots in the NWSL. Unfortunately, after a 1-0 defeat to the Kansas City Current on Saturday night in San Jose, the team is now searching for answers as they snap a two-game losing streak. Last week, Bay FC suffered a 5-1 loss in New Jersey to defending NWSL champions NY/NJ Gotham FC.
“It’s a tough one because I thought the team played well and with a lot of heart,” said Bay FC head coach Albertin Montoya.
Temwa Chawinga’s goal in the 35th minute secured the win for Kansas City. Chawinga’s strike was her league-leading 19th goal of the season, breaking Sam Kerr’s 2019 record of 18. After intercepting a Bay FC turnover near midfield, Chawinga dribbled to the top of the 18-yard box and shot from distance, slotting it inside the left post.
“We limited quality chances to their top forward,” Montoya said. “I thought we did that for most of the game. There’s no way you can keep her off of the scoreboard and when someone scores a ball from about 25 yards out, that’s a tough one. But credit to her, she’s done an amazing job this season.”
The win lifted the Current (14-3-7, 49 points) to third in the NWSL standings, securing a top-four finish and a home quarterfinal in the postseason, which begins next month.
Meanwhile, Bay FC (9-14-1, 28 points) entered Saturday night holding the eighth and final playoff spot, with Racing Louisville FC (6-10-7, 25 points) trailing by three points. Louisville faces the Washington Spirit on Sunday, and a win would tie them with Bay FC at 28 points. However, since the first tiebreaker is goal differential, Louisville (-2) would move into the eighth spot, while Bay FC (-12) would drop to ninth, sitting outside the playoff picture with two matches remaining.
“Every game is a playoff game for us right now,” Montoya said. “It’s important, so we have to find the right balance. We continue to focus on the process and how we’re playing.”
“It’s so tight,” added defender Emily Menges. “We know the goal differential isn’t in our favor, so we need to pick up points where we can. It’s in our hands. We’ve got to win the next two games and hope some results go our way.”
Bay FC will host the North Carolina Courage next Saturday in their home finale before traveling to Houston to face the Houston Dash on Nov. 2, during the league’s Decision Day following the FIFA international break.
Photo by Jeff Weisinger