SAN JOSE – There were few shots and even fewer good scoring chances for Bay FC during Saturday night’s 1-0 loss to Kansas City.
With attackers Racheal Kundananji and Tess Boade both out with injury, the hamstrung attack looked punchless operating out of a 4-3-3 that lacked the midfield creativity to unlock the formation’s dynamic possibilities.
The shutout loss was somewhat predictable, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t sting.
Bay FC entered Saturday night’s match in the eighth and final playoff spot, three points clear of ninth place Louisville. With every botched possession and each wayward pass, Bay FC failed to extend its advantage in the NWSL table.
“Our game plan was to limit quality chances to their top forward up top, and I thought we did that for most of the game,” coach Albertin Montoya said.
With two of its main offensive engines both out with injury, Bay FC ran its attack through left-winger Penelope Hocking and the peerless Asisat Oshoala.
Bay FC went into the match looking for a spark, having scored only four goals – all by Oshoala – in five matches since Aug. 30.
It rarely found one, putting up just four shots on target all match despite having 55 percent possession. .
But that patchwork attack did make a threatening move in the box five minutes into the match. While Kansas City cleared the ball, the officials stopped the match to check and see if a defender had made touchded the ball with her arm.
After a lengthy review, no penalty was awarded, the first of two times Bay FC thought it was wronged by the officiating.
“I thought they were hand balls, and we’ve seen penalty kicks given for less than that,” Montoya said. “But we’re in that area of the field to create those opportunities, and that’s something that was lacking (early in the season).”
In the 21st minute, Kansas City’s Debinha got on the receiving end of a perfect lob pass on the counter, and had a one-on-one with Bay FC keeper Katelyn Rowland. Debinha missed.
Kansas City teammate Temwe Chawinga didn’t let her chance go to waste when she got her shot in the 35th minute.
The 26-year-old from Malawi stole the ball from Kiki Pickett on a looping throw in, dribbled in closer and then unleashed a rocket from some 20 yards away to put KC up 1-0.
The team’s offensive struggles overshadowed Bay FC’s stellar defensive work, with the back line of Caprice Dydasco, Abby Dahlkempe, Emily menges and Alyssa Malonson surviving one charge after another by Kansas City.
After subbing out midfielder Deyna Castellanos for Savannah King in the 70th minute, Bay FC went to a three-in-the-back formation with Rachel Hill joining Oshoala up front.
Those adjustments weren’t enough to salvage a point for Bay FC, which will play host to North Carolina on Saturday three points clear of a Louisville club that has a game in hand.
“We need to convert the next six points and want it to stay in our control,” Menges said.
