Bay FC’s inaugural season in San Jose is rolling along with another groundbreaking first.
This time, Bay FC is entering the first-ever NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. The brand-new interleague competition between the top domestic sides in the United States and Mexico runs from July to October.
After a mandatory vacation last week, Bay FC begins the tournament against San Diego Wave FC on Saturday. The club is also scheduled to host Angel City FC on July 26 and Mexico City-based Club América on Aug. 2 to wrap up the group stage of the event.
The club’s last regular-season match before the break was a 3-0 loss to the Washington Spirit at PayPal Park on July 6.
“We’ve got some good games with the Summer Cup coming up,” said coach Albertin Montoya after that matchup, “which is going to allow us to experiment a little bit with some of our players and personnel.”
Bay FC head coach Albertin Montoya reacts after a call while playing Washington Spirit FC during the second half of their match at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, July 6, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Bay FC and its three opponents in the group stage of the Summer Cup are members of Group B. There are five groups of four teams in the Cup. The four group winners that accumulate the most points in the group stage will advance to the Cup semifinals in early August.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity for our younger players to get out on the field, to get some minutes and show us what they can do,” Montoya said. “We’ve been very pleased with our younger players throughout the entire season, their mentality, their work ethic. They’ve been very, very good for us.”
Bay FC’s Jamie Shepherd (14) heads the ball against Chicago Red Stars’ Ally Schlegel (34) in the first half at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 5, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Montoya has seen his youngsters champing at the bit to earn time on the pitch, and the Summer Cup gives them a unique opportunity to establish themselves.
“They’re younger players, but they’re fresh,” he said. “They’re eager to get out there, and we’ve seen it these last few weeks, this extra energy and bite at practice. We’re excited, because the level actually is as high as we’ve ever seen it. It’ll be really interesting how it plays out, and if anything, it’s going to create a headache for the coaching staff.
“Some of these younger players are right there. They’re so close to making that starting lineup, and now they finally get this opportunity. Some of the veterans are actually a little worried too, so that’s why the level and the intensity of practices has been quite impressive as of late.”
The Cup semifinals will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, on Aug. 6, and the final will take place in San Antonio on Oct. 25.
Bay FC’s Joelle Anderson (18) scores a goal against Seattle Reign FC in the second half at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, April 14, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
The tournament’s concept is similar to that of the Leagues Cup, a competition between MLS and Liga MX teams that debuted in 2019.
The Summer Cup contains six qualifying Liga MX Femenil teams and all 14 NWSL squads. It partially fills the NWSL’s Olympic break, which lasts from July 8-Aug. 22.
Cup matches will not factor into the NWSL standings. Bay FC currently sits in eighth place in the NWSL with a 6-0-10 record and 16 points, occupying the league’s final playoff spot.
Bay FC has three players absent for the tournament who have been called up to their respective Olympic squads – forward Racheal Kundananji (Zambia), forward Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria) and goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx (alternate, Canada).
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)
The club also conducted some business during the break, transferring forward Scarlett Camberos to Club América, where she made her professional debut. Camberos won’t have to wait long to face her former team – she will return to PayPal Park as a member of Club América in just a few weeks.
“She’s an incredible player,” Montoya said. “She’s really a dangerous player up top, and I know she’s excited to play for Club América. With the Mexican national team, it’s a good place for them to be able to watch her play. We’re a little worried, to tell you the truth, because we know she can create all sorts of problems. But it’ll be good to see her out there on the field.”
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Bay FC transferred Camberos despite losing general manager Lucy Rushton after her resignation on June 24. The club has taken a by-committee approach to roster management in the interim, with technical director Matt Potter leading the way and several others contributing.
“I have to give credit to Lucy,” Montoya said. “She put together an incredible squad, and we had a very good relationship. We definitely miss her, but not only did she put a great team together, she put a great staff together. So we’ve all picked up the pieces and continued to move forward. We’ve had some good results in June and July, and we’re doing what we can on the field and off the field and making it the best experience possible for the players.
“She kind of set the tone, and we’re just continuing to carry that forward.”
SUMMER CUP GROUPS
Group A: Portland Thorns FC, Seattle Reign FC, Utah Royals FC, Club Tijuana
Group B: Bay FC, Angel City FC, San Diego Wave FC, Club América
Group C: Kansas City Current, Houston Dash, Tigres UANL, Club Pachuca
Group D: NJ/NY Gotham FC, Washington Spirit, Chicago Red Stars, Chivas de Guadalajara
Group E: Orlando Pride, North Carolina Courage, Racing Louisville FC, Rayadas de Monterrey
