NFL
By: Ashmere Prasad
It has been difficult for Bay FC to string along multiple wins in a row and they certainly had the opportunity last week against the Utah Royals.
Returning home after a historic 2-1 win in Chicago was the perfect chance for Bay FC to get their first back-to-back wins this season. Instead, they fell short in the final minute and lost 0-1 against the last team in the NWSL standings. A win would have moved Bay up to an eighth-place three-way tie. The win for Utah was their first road win of the season.
The energy was apparent from the start. Bay FC played high the entire first half and were close to at least four goals thanks to their pressure. The opportunity to lead came from Rachel Kundananji in the 84th minute. Kundananji beat her defender and sent a beautiful ball to the left corner but the goal was recalled and Kundananji was called offside. The team and the crowd swelled with disappointment.
Bay FC had 15 fouls and four yellow cards in the match while Utah closed out with seven fouls and zero yellows. Utah had a spark in the game’s final minutes and capitalized off of the offsides call and the mistakes Bay made. At the 87 and 88th minute, Utah was granted back-to-back free kicks, the first was stopped and the second header by Kate de Fava was too quick to stop.
Today Bay takes on their Los Angeles rivals, Angel City at PayPal Park for the first time in history. Bay beat Angel City in their season opener thanks to a solo goal from Assist Oshoala. A win for Bay would land them in Angel City’s current spot, tied for eighth place. Angel City is coming off a 3-2 win against Racing Louisville FC scoring a season-high three goals on Wednesday from three different scorers. This will be a competitive matchup in a hot stadium, with temperatures hovering around 90º in San Jose. Bay FC and coach Albertin Montoya hold the team to a high standard, so dropping two games at home is unacceptable.
