Bay FC Overview
Bay Football Club, commonly known as Bay FC, is a professional women’s soccer team based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The team competes in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and began play as an expansion team in the 2024 season. Bay FC plays its home games at PayPal Park in San Jose, California, a soccer-specific stadium with a capacity of 18,000 seats. The club’s ownership is led by investment firm Sixth Street Partners alongside a group of former United States women’s national team players and prominent investors. Bay FC is recognized for its blue and warm red team colors, symbolizing the Bay and Poppy respectively, and aims to reestablish professional women’s soccer in the Bay Area following earlier teams such as the San Jose CyberRays and FC Gold Pride.
Founding and Organizational Origins
Bay FC was officially founded on April 4, 2023, after a concerted effort by former USWNT players Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton, and Aly Wagner, who formed a group called “NWSL to the Bay” to lobby for an NWSL expansion team in the San Francisco Bay Area. Their campaign began in 2020, shortly after the establishment of Angel City FC in Los Angeles. The founding group collaborated with sports, media, and technology executives to assemble a board and raise initial capital. By May 2021, they had brought on David Aufhauser to lead the bid preparation for the expansion franchise. The bid competed against several other cities, including Columbus, Atlanta, Austin, Cincinnati, Toronto, St. Louis, and Nashville.
Growth Into National Women’s Soccer League Competition
In late 2022 and early 2023, the NWSL narrowed its expansion selections, ultimately awarding one of the two 2024 expansion teams to the Bay Area group at a reported $53 million expansion fee. This marked the largest expansion fee in league history. The ownership group includes Sixth Street Partners as the majority owner, with minority investors such as Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton, Aly Wagner, Alan Waxman, Sheryl Sandberg, Tom Bernthal, and Andre Iguodala. Alan Waxman and Aly Wagner serve as co-chairpersons of the club. The team announced its name, Bay FC, and unveiled its crest and colors on June 1, 2023.
Bay FC Competitive Journey
Bay FC entered the NWSL as an expansion team in 2024, focusing on building a competitive roster and establishing its presence in the league. The club’s early years have been marked by strategic signings and coaching appointments aimed at fostering growth and competitive stability.
Early Seasons and Development (2024–2025)
Bay FC’s inaugural season in 2024 involved assembling its first roster, including the signing of defender Alex Loera as the club’s first player and the acquisition of 2021 Defender of the Year Caprice Dydasco. The team appointed Albertin Montoya as its first head coach in September 2023, supported by a coaching staff including assistant coaches Angela Salem and Jason Goodson, and head of goalkeeping Diego Restrepo. In February 2024, Bay FC made a record-breaking transfer by signing Zambian forward Racheal Kundananji for $860,000, the highest transfer fee in women’s soccer history. Despite these efforts, the team finished 13th out of 14 in the regular season in 2025 and did not qualify for the playoffs.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2025–Present)
In December 2025, Bay FC appointed Emma Coates, former England women’s under-23 team manager, as the new head coach, succeeding Albertin Montoya who resigned at the end of the 2025 season. The club continues to develop its infrastructure, having signed a five-year agreement to play at PayPal Park while planning the construction of its own stadium. In September 2025, Bay FC broke ground on a new performance center located on Treasure Island. The club is led by CEO Brady Stewart and General Manager Matt Potter, focusing on long-term growth and competitive success in the NWSL.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
Bay FC emphasizes a strategic and developmental approach to competition, leveraging experienced leadership and a growing roster of talented players. The club’s identity is rooted in its connection to the Bay Area and its commitment to advancing professional women’s soccer with a focus on sustainability and community engagement.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Key milestones for Bay FC include its founding in 2023 as the first Bay Area professional women’s soccer team since previous leagues, the record-setting transfer of Racheal Kundananji in 2024, and the establishment of its home at PayPal Park. The appointment of Emma Coates as head coach in 2025 marks a new chapter in the club’s development.
Bay FC Achievements and Results
As a newly established team, Bay FC is in the early stages of its competitive journey in the NWSL. While the club has yet to secure major titles or playoff appearances, its record-setting player acquisitions and organizational growth lay a foundation for future success.
National Women’s Soccer League Achievements
Bay FC’s first season concluded with a 13th place finish out of 14 teams in the 2025 regular season, and the team did not qualify for the playoffs. The club’s notable achievements include securing the highest transfer fee in women’s soccer history for Racheal Kundananji. The team continues to build its competitive profile within the league.
Conference Achievements
Competing in the Western Conference of the NWSL, Bay FC is working to establish itself among its regional rivals. The club’s focus remains on player development and competitive consistency to contend for future conference honors.
Divisional Achievements
Bay FC’s divisional achievements are in the formative stage as the team gains experience and builds its roster depth. The club aims to become a strong contender within its division through strategic investments and coaching leadership.
Series Achievements
As an expansion team in the NWSL, Bay FC’s series achievements are emerging. The club’s commitment to growth and infrastructure development positions it to achieve significant milestones in upcoming seasons.
