History of Bay FC in Timeline

Bay FC is a professional women's soccer team based in the San Francisco Bay Area, competing in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) since the 2024 season as an expansion team. They play their home games at PayPal Park in San Jose, California, an 18,000-seat soccer-specific stadium shared with the San Jose Earthquakes of MLS.

2020: Efforts to Bring NWSL to the Bay Begin

In 2020, efforts to bring the NWSL to the Bay Area began, following the founding of Angel City in Los Angeles.

May 2021: David Aufhauser Joins NWSL to the Bay

In May 2021, David Aufhauser joined NWSL to the Bay to lead the effort to bid for an NWSL expansion team.

2021: Caprice Dydasco, 2021 Defender of the Year

In 2021, Caprice Dydasco was the Defender of the Year.

2021: Previous Round of Expansion in 2021

In 2021, the expansion fee for Bay FC was the league's largest to date, and 10 times the fee charged in the league's previous round of expansion.

June 21, 2022: Founding of "NWSL to the Bay"

On June 21, 2022, Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton, and Aly Wagner announced the founding of "NWSL to the Bay", a group to lobby for an NWSL expansion team in the San Francisco Bay Area.

October 2022: Lucy Rushton Fired as General Manager of D.C. United

In October 2022, Lucy Rushton was fired as general manager of Major League Soccer club D.C. United.

December 16, 2022: NWSL narrows expansion selections

On December 16, 2022, reports indicated that the NWSL narrowed its 2024 expansion selections to the Bay Area bid, Boston, and Tampa, revealing Sixth Street Partners' involvement.

2022: Montoya interim Head Coach with Washington Spirit

In 2022, Montoya had worked with Salem during his interim head coaching stint with Washington Spirit in the NWSL season

January 2023: Bay Area and Boston Likely to be Awarded Expansion Teams

In January 2023, reports suggested that the Bay Area and Boston were likely to be awarded expansion teams with expansion fees estimated at $50 million each.

April 4, 2023: Bay FC Awarded Expansion Franchise

On April 4, 2023, an ownership group led by Sixth Street Partners and former USWNT players was awarded an expansion franchise in the NWSL.

June 1, 2023: Bay FC Name and Logo Announced

On June 1, 2023, the team's name, Bay FC, and logo were officially announced to the public.

June 14, 2023: Brady Stewart Hired as Bay FC CEO

On June 14, 2023, Bay FC announced the hiring of Brady Stewart as the team's chief executive officer.

July 21, 2023: Bay FC Announces Agreement to Play at PayPal Park

On July 21, 2023, Bay FC announced a five-year agreement to play at PayPal Park in San Jose, while planning construction of their own stadium.

September 27, 2023: Albertin Montoya Announced as Bay FC's First Head Coach

On September 27, 2023, Albertin Montoya was announced as the team's first head coach.

December 13, 2023: Bay FC Announces Full Coaching Staff

On December 13, 2023, Bay FC announced their full coaching staff, including Angela Salem and Jason Goodson as assistant coaches, and Diego Restrepo as head of goalkeeping.

February 13, 2024: Bay FC Signs Racheal Kundananji for Record Transfer Fee

On February 13, 2024, Bay FC signed Racheal Kundananji from Madrid CFF for $860,000, setting a new record for the most expensive transfer in women's soccer history, with a deal lasting until 2027.

2024: Alex Loera Protected in the 2024 Expansion Draft

In 2024, Alex Loera was protected from Bay FC in the expansion draft.

2024: Bay FC's Inaugural Season in the NWSL

In 2024, Bay FC began competing as an expansion team in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Their home stadium is PayPal Park in San Jose, California.