The club’s journey began last April, when former United States Women’s National Team legends Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton, and Aly Wagner announced a new expansion team in the National Women’s Soccer League that was bringing the sport back to the Bay Area.
Less than one year later, Bay FC took the field in front of an energized crowd that packed PayPal Park to the brim and only seemed to get louder as the night went on.
Text by Jason Mastrodonato – see full story here.
Bay FC celebrates after Bay FC’s Deyna Castellanos (10) scores the first goal during their home opener at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Bay FC’s Deyna Castellanos (10) scores a goal during Bay FC’s home opener against Houston Dash at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Brandi Chastain, left, cheers with a group of girls on the side of the field before Bay FC’s inaugural home game against Houston Dash at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. Chastain, from San Jose, is a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, two-time Olympic gold-medalist, coach, and sports broadcaster. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Patrick Riley, of Redwood City, and his daughter Collins Riley, 3, take part in pregame festivities during the inaugural home opener of Bay FC at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Delilah Miranda,10, of Fresno, kicks a soccer ball during pregame festivities during the home opener and inaugural game for Bay FC at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Bridget Hennessey, 9, of Oakland, has her face painted during Bay FC’s inaugural home game at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Fans cheer on Bay FC during their home opener against Houston Dash at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Olivia Mejia, 11, and Caitlyn Kwong, 11, both from San Jose and friends on the same soccer team, came to watch Bay FC’s inaugural game against the Houston Dash at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Bay FC’s Deyna Castellanos (10) jumps on the field during Bay FC’s inaugural home game against Houston Dash at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Bay FC’s Dorian Bailey (19) gives a high five before Bay FC’s game against Houston Dash at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
A sold out crowd for Bay FC’s inaugural home game against Houston Dash at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Bay FC’s Scarlett Camberos (11) runs with the ball against Houston Dash in the second half at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Bay FC’s Deyna Castellanos (10) kicks the ball against Houston Dash at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Bay FC’s Alexis Loera (22) runs with the ball against Houston Dash’s Elin Rubensson (31) in the second half during Bay FC’s inaugural home game at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Bay FC’s Racheal Kundananji (9) kicks the ball against Houston Dash in the second half at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
A Bay FC drummer walks off the field at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Houston Dash’s María Sánchez (7) heads the ball against Bay FC during their inaugural home game at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Houston Dash’s Sophie Schmidt (13) and Bay FC’s Asisat Oshoala (8) jump for the ball in the second half at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
From left: Bay FC co-founders Leslie Osborne, Aly Wagner, Brandi Chastain and Danielle Slaton cheer with the crowd at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Brandi Chastain gets a pat on the back before Bay FC’s inaugural home game at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Bay FC has a team photograph taken before their inaugural home game against Houston Dash at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)