The Gryphon Gazette

By Lauryn F. ‘26

The NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) is the only professional women’s soccer league in the US. The league currently consists of 12 highly competitive teams, including San Diego Wave FC, Angel City FC, and Portland Thorns. Bay FC, a new club based in the Bay Area, is set to enter the NWSL as soon as the 2024 season begins. The club was co-founded by four USWNT legends, Aly Wagner, Danielle Slaton, Brandi Chastain, and Leslie Osborne, who all call the Bay Area home. The team’s home stadium is set to be Paypal Park in San Jose, California. As for players, Bay FC has already made several roster decisions and will also receive an early pick in the 12-round draft. 

Coach

The selected coach for the team is Albertin Montoya, who is a long-time San Francisco Bay Area resident who has succeeded at the youth and professional levels. He led FC Gold Pride of the WPS (the precursor to the NWSL) to a title in 2010. He most recently served as interim manager of the Washington Spirit in 2022. In the ensuing years, he worked at the academy he founded, Montoya Soccer Academy, as well as Mountain View Los Altos Soccer Club. Ultimately, Bay FC is building a team that is player-led and fan-focused. It also needs to positively impact the community by promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through the game of soccer. Bay FC will play the beautiful game of soccer with power, passion, artistry, and creativity.

Stadium

The stadium announcement on July 21 said the team will also be investing more than $3 million in a facility adjacent to PayPal Park, where the San Jose Earthquakes men’s team has played since it opened in 2015. “PayPal Park is a perfect place to start this journey for Bay FC — a team that has truly been a dream and many years in the making right here in the Bay Area,” Wagner said. “This has been one of the top U.S. stadiums for our women’s national team to play in and will be a great atmosphere for our very first Bay FC footballers to step into and play before an energized, passionate, and intelligent fan base ready to be entertained.” The investor group behind Bay FC is also planning on constructing a training venue at a location yet to be announced and said the team plans to play exhibition matches and hold workouts around the Bay Area and elsewhere in Northern California.

Behind the Logo

The logo for Bay FC shows the letter “B” which draws inspiration from the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Area’s street art scene. The bottom and top serifs also nod to the fog that blankets much of the region. “Bridges define the Bay Area and are symbols of strength that connect us all,” said Slaton. The club’s colors are dark navy blue, warm poppy red, and fog gray. The founders of the club wanted to design a logo that represented the entire Bay Area and not just one particular area. They were also keen on the idea that the name should also be the nickname. 

Player Opportunities

For one, adding new teams into leagues allows many more players to have the chance to play professionally. Increasingly, over 370,000 girls play soccer in high school each year and even adding one or two teams would allow for more amazing players to have a chance to express their talent. The addition of Bay FC also increases the competition within the league, as well as contributes to the overall talent pool as new players are added to the league roster. 

Fanbase

Bay FC is located in an area not currently represented in the league, meaning it contributes to the league’s geographic diversity and would most likely attract new fans in that region. Bay FC has already been exposed to a lot of media and in response, has led to much enthusiasm towards the new team. This would also enhance the overall visibility of the NWSL, attracting more attention from sponsors, broadcasters, and potential investors for future clubs. The addition of the team will most likely lead to increased attendance at games, higher television viewership, and greater merchandise sales, all of which contribute to the league’s overall revenue. 

In conclusion, Bay FC is a new team entering the NWSL in 2024, co-founded by USWNT legends and led by coach Albertin Montoya. The team aims to positively impact the community, play with power and creativity, and promote diversity and inclusion. The team will play at PayPal Park and contribute to the league’s geographic diversity, attracting new fans and increasing overall revenue, ultimately positively changing the league forever.