History of Bay FC in Timeline

Bay FC is a professional women's soccer team located in the San Francisco Bay Area. As an expansion team, Bay FC joined the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in the 2024 season. Their home games are played at PayPal Park, an 18,000-seat soccer-specific stadium in San Jose, California, which they share with the San Jose Earthquakes of MLS.

2020: Beginnings of "NWSL to the Bay" initiative

In 2020, just after Angel City in Los Angeles was founded, Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton, and Aly Wagner began their efforts to bring NWSL to the Bay Area.

May 2021: David Aufhauser brought on board

In May 2021, David Aufhauser, a sports, media, and technology executive, joined the "NWSL to the Bay" group to lead the effort to prepare a bid for an NWSL expansion team.

2021: Caprice Dydasco named Defender of the Year

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

2021: Previous round of expansion in the league

In 2021, the previous round of expansion in the league occurred, with fees significantly lower than Bay FC's.

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 a group called "NWSL to the Bay" to lobby the NWSL for an expansion team in the San Francisco Bay Area.

October 2022: Lucy Rushton fired from 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, Sixth Street Partners involvement revealed

On December 16, 2022, reports suggested that the NWSL had narrowed its 2024 expansion selections to the Bay Area bid, a Boston bid, and a Tampa bid, also revealing Sixth Street Partners as an investor.

2022: Angela Salem interim head coaching stint with Washington Spirit

In 2022, head coach Montoya worked with Salem during his interim head coaching stint with Washington Spirit.

January 2023: Reports suggest Bay Area and Boston to be awarded expansion teams

In January 2023, reports suggested that the Bay Area and Boston would both be awarded expansion teams, with expansion fees estimated at $50 million each, while Tampa had been eliminated from consideration.

April 4, 2023: Bay FC awarded NWSL expansion franchise

On April 4, 2023, an ownership group led by Sixth Street Partners and former United States women's national team players was awarded an expansion franchise in the NWSL. Alan Waxman and Aly Wagner were named the club's co-chairpersons.

June 1, 2023: Bay FC name and logo revealed

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

June 14, 2023: Brady Stewart hired as CEO

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

July 21, 2023: Agreement to play at PayPal Park announced

On July 21, 2023, Bay FC announced a five-year agreement to play at PayPal Park in San Jose, with plans for a new facility at the stadium to house the team's locker room and office spaces.

September 27, 2023: Albertin Montoya named first head coach

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

December 13, 2023: Full coaching staff announced

On December 13, 2023, Bay FC announced their full coaching staff, with 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. The deal lasts until 2027.

2024: Protection from Bay FC in the 2024 Expansion Draft

In 2024 Alex Loera was revealed as the club's first ever signing and was protected from Bay FC in the 2024 Expansion Draft.

2024: Bay FC inaugural season

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