SAN JOSE — Addressing reporters for the first time since the NWSL confirmed an investigation into the organization, Bay FC coach Albertin Montoya declined to comment on the specifics of the case but expressed confidence that the expansion franchise had smoothed out the kinks heading into year two.
“The energy is amazing,” Montoya said Tuesday morning.
That was a different sentiment than the one described in a San Francisco Chronicle report last week that detailed a “toxic” culture under Montoya, prompting NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman to confirm the league’s query into the complaints on Friday.
The news of the investigation into Montoya came only weeks after the club reneged on the hiring of its scouting director, who was accused of verbally abusing his players at his previous stop, and risked derailing the momentum built while making an unexpected playoff appearance in its first season.
But less than a week away from its season opener, Saturday in Utah, there was little sign of turbulence on the practice field in the shadow of CEFCU Stadium on the San Jose State campus.
“You can even see,” forward Tess Boade said, turning and pointing to the field behind her, “half the team’s out here 20 minutes early for training, having fun, messing around. So I think we’ve got a really good thing going and we just need to keep building on it, honestly.”
It was business as usual, even with the annual coronation of the season’s captains: Boade and defender Abby Dahlkemper, a previous youth soccer pupil of Montoya’s and a member of the U.S. women’s national team who joined Bay FC in a trade midway through last season.
Both downplayed the potential distraction of the investigation and the issues raised in the report.
“The Bay is the most player-centric club I’ve ever been a part of, like, without a doubt,” said Dahlkemper, echoing language from the team’s statement in response to the investigation. “The amount of attention and detail that they put in to players, it’s all about us, which makes our jobs enjoyable. I’m thankful to be here and represent the Bay.”
“Just like Abby said, this club is the most player-centric club I’ve ever been a part of,” Boade added. “When you lead with that, it makes it much easier to grow. Because things are going to come up, always. But I think this club has proven that they have our backs.”
Dahlkemper previously played for the North Carolina Courage leading up to the NWSL’s investigation into coach Paul Riley over allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct. Riley was one of five coaches fired over their treatment of players in 2021, prompting the league to establish a $5 million fund and tip line for future complaints.
When she was traded last summer, her former team, the San Diego Wave, was caught up in another scandal alleging multiple forms of discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination.
“I think it’s just important to try to control what you can,” Dahlkemper said. “You have your teammates, staff, club all behind you. Being open, honest and vulnerable I think is important. We’re just going to build trust with the team and that’s really important.”
The qualities laid out by Dahlkemper were at the heart of Bay FC’s issues last season, according to a midseason league survey first reported by the Chronicle. Players ranked Bay FC 13th out of 14 teams in communication. But in another survey at the end of the season, the team had improved its rank to sixth.
Separately, according to the Chronicle, Montoya was named in two complaints of “bullying.”
And there has been additional upheaval, with last year’s No. 2 overall pick Savy King requesting to be traded to Angel City earlier this year, starting goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland announcing her retirement during training camp and Lucy Rushton, the original general manager, abruptly resigning last June.
Asked about the league’s investigation Tuesday, Montoya acknowledged there was an “open review” but said, “out of respect, I don’t want to talk about it.”
When he was hired as Bay FC’s first coach in October 2023, Montoya said he was aware of the history of player mistreatment in the NWSL but that “it wasn’t really much thought for me.” He served as the Washington Spirit’s interim manager in 2022 after a long career leading a decorated youth program in the Bay Area and a brief stint in charge of the professional FC Gold Pride in Women’s Professional Soccer, a precursor to the NWSL, in 2009-10 before the league folded.
“All along, I was just being myself,” he said. “That’s why the Washington Spirit brought me in. That’s why I was part of the process with the Pride 15 years ago. Obviously you learn and hear from everything that’s happened in the past. But bottom line I was just being myself everyday and sticking to what I know best, treating players with respect like I always have.”
Amid the distractions swirling off the field, Montoya credited his players for staying focused on their goals for the season ahead. They want to host a playoff game at PayPal Park after last year’s first-round elimination at Washington left a “bitter taste” in their mouths.
“They’re so excited,” Montoya said. “They’re so behind what we’re trying to do as a coaching staff. You can just see it in their energy, the way they’re playing.”
“From day one last year to day one this year, it looks a world different,” Boade added. “I think the team culture this year, we put a lot of intentionality into it.”