Bay FC is ahead of schedule.
It’s not supposed to look this easy for expansion teams to find chemistry, but three games into the club’s inaugural season in the National Women’s Soccer League and Bay FC is already playing with flair, confidence and a whole lot of joy.
The club’s 1-2 record isn’t what coach Albertin Montoya wants to see, but the way in which they’ve played reveals a group that’s displaying an exciting brand of what he refers to as “the beautiful game.”
On Sunday night at PayPal Park, the next chapter of the club’s history begins.
Racheal Kundananji, acquired in February from Madrid CFF for a world record transfer fee of about $800,000, is expected to make her first career start for Bay FC.
“She scores goals,” Montoya said. “That’s what she does… Sunday should be an exciting day for her.”
Kundananji missed Bay FC’s first two games while recovering from a knee injury suffered while on international duty with her native Zambia. Then she made her NWSL debut during Bay FC’s home opener against the Houston Dash on March 30 and scored the game-tying goal in stoppage time, though Bay FC conceded again in the final minutes to lose, 3-2.
NWSL Debut
First goal by a Zambian player in NWSL history
Welcome to the league, Racheal Kundananji! pic.twitter.com/HjNDFK8SOa
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 31, 2024
Afterwards, Montoya expressed no regret for going for the win rather than settling for a tie, largely due to Kundananji, who looks like the most dangerous player on the pitch whenever she touches the ball.
The 23-year-old was subbed on in the 62nd minute against Houston and quickly displayed her speed and dribbling ability as she routinely beat one, two, sometimes three defenders before finding a pass or shot on goal.
Her game-tying goal in the 93rd minute was a thing of beauty, as she plunged past two defenders on the right side of the field, then cut back towards the middle, noticed the Houston goalie off her line and hit a left-footed shot over the keeper’s head and into the corner of the net.
She called it one of the best moments of her career and said it was difficult not to cry as she ran over to the Bay FC bench and summoned a Zambia flag that she draped around her back while the sellout crowd went wild.
Kundananji rejoined Zambia last week while on international duty and scored another highlight reel goal, this time cutting in from the left side and firing a right-footed strike that again sailed over the keeper’s head into the top corner. The goal was later ruled offside, but Zambia was able to get a result and qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Racheal Kundananji’s stunning goal for Zambia against Morocco wich was ruled for an offside.
How was this an offside? pic.twitter.com/jCxLKIIfIy
— TR Sportzm (@TRSportzm) April 5, 2024
“She scores goals and wins games for teams,” Montoya said. “She has incredible pace. And more importantly she’s just a great teammate. Always a huge smile on her face. She just loves playing the game.
“And I actually love and appreciate that of any player that plays for the joy of it. And she’s very talented. So that’s gonna rub off everyone else. Just that positive energy and mentality attitude.”
Kundananji is expected to play on the right wing while Asisat Oshoala, who just helped Nigeria qualify for the Summer Olympics, plays centrally and Scarlet Camberos, who just returned from playing for Mexico, playing on the left wing.
Bay FC has already displayed an advanced ability to defend, especially for a defensive line that includes rookie Savy King, a 19-year-old and the No. 2 overall pick out of the University of North Carolina, playing left back.
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But finding chemistry on the attacking end is the next piece of the puzzle.
“I have to remind myself that we have only been together for three games,” said 30-year-old right back Caprice Dydasco. “So it seems like we’ve been together for a while, and I think that we keep getting better and better, and actually enjoy and have fun. I’m having so much fun out there. And even when we lose a game I’m happy because we are getting better, and the season is so long, and we know how competitive we’ll be this year.”
Bay FC sold out its home opener with 18,000 people at PayPal Park. As of Friday, tickets remained for Sunday’s 5 p.m. PT game against FC Seattle Reign (1-2).
Dydasco, a professional soccer veteran, said she’s never before felt a buzz around town the way she has in the Bay Area, where she’s getting recognized at the farmer’s market and noticing Bay FC gear everywhere she goes.
“I think this is the first team where I felt like people know about us, and they recognize us around the city, which is really awesome,” she said. “And I think as long as we keep improving and making the games memorable, fans will keep coming out. And it will only get better.”
