NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
It was a day to remember in the Bay as history was made, and the scenes looked like a movie. Bay FC took on the Washington Spirit at Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. The vibes were electric as 40 thousand plus fans came together for the match, and they got a tough battle that in the end saw Washington get a 3-2 victory. This set a new record for the most attended professional sports event for women. As they are known for doing, Bay FC pulled out all the stops to throw a great party leading up to the game, with Too Short performing and launching soccer balls into the ocean.
From the start, Washington was on the front foot and applied all kinds of pressure on FC, which led to an early goal by Kate Wiesner. Once Bay FC got into the flow, we saw five shots on goal and a much better attacking mindset from the home team. They were unable to get the payoff. On the other side, in the 39th minute, Croix Bethune bagged her first goal of the season and made it a 2-0 Spirit lead. Not even having a chance to regroup a cross into the box was deflected off of Kelli Hubly, an unfortunate own goal, 3-0 Washington lead.
But right before the half, the hard work paid off. Racheal Kundananji smashed a header to get Bay FC on the board right before the half. Not one to sit on its hands, Washington came out in the 2nd half flying around and had chances for a 4th goal. Off a corner from Alyssa Malonson, revenge from Kelli Hubly as she knocked in a header for the second goal of the day, and made us forget that nasty own goal. We then saw wave after wave of Bay attacks and close chances that just needed a bit more time and touch to equal goals.
Also, tempers got hot with four yellow cards getting dished out, all the way until the final whistle, the home team had chances to tie things up. The result dropped Bay FC to a 4-8-5 record, 3-4-2 at home. A faster start would have perhaps helped get a much better result. Next up is a trip to play Angel FC on September 1st. It was once again another example of the high level of play that the NWSL provides, and that “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports.”
