Bay FC celebrates after Bay FC's Dana Castellanos, 10, scores the opening goal in their home opener Saturday, March 30, 2024, at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. (Shay Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE — A new era in women's soccer was born when Dana Castellanos took a shot from inside the post and watched along with 18,000 others at PayPal Park as it rattled into the back of the net.
After a 14-year hiatus, women's professional soccer returned to the Bay Area on Saturday night as Bay FC showcased its exciting style of play in front of a sold-out crowd.
In a back-and-forth game that featured non-stop action, Bay FC fought to the end but suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to the Houston Dash.
Still, it was an unforgettable match.
The club's journey began last April when former U.S. Women's National Team legends Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton and Allie Wagner announced a new expansion team for the Women's National Soccer Team, bringing the sport to bay. It started with the revival of the area.
Less than a year later, Bay FC took the field in front of an enthusiastic crowd that filled Paypal Park, and the noise seemed to get louder as the night progressed.
The first 20 minutes were certainly better than any of the Founding Four could have dreamed of, as Bay FC dominated Houston with 60% possession and suffocating defense.
When Alex Loera fired a shot just over the crossbar in the 12th minute, the crowd went wild with anticipation.
In the 19th minute, Scarlet Camberros beat a defender on the left flank and sent a dangerous cross into the box, which was spotted by Asisat Oshoala, who fired a quick shot that deflected off to Castellanos. Bay FC and its fans were rewarded. The 24-year-old former Manchester City star quickly slotted a shot into the top left corner to score Bay FC's first ever home goal.
Bay FC's picture-perfect start continued for the remainder of the first half, as coach Albertin Montoya utilized a high press to create consistent turnovers and maintain the pressure throughout the entire 45 minutes. Bay FC finished the first half with nearly 60% possession, winning 3-0 in corner kicks, 8-2 in crosses, and 32-23 in duels.
But despite the beauty of the first half, Bay FC looked like a tired team for most of the second half.
The formation, with two central attacking midfielders and three forwards pushing high up the pitch, created too many counter-attacking opportunities for Houston, which they finally took advantage of in the 66th minute.
Houston sent a cross into the box and Dianna Ordonez headed it into the corner, but a turnover near midfield delayed both midfielders from recovering.
Another breakdown created a quick chance for Houston in the 87th minute, when a cross into the box deflected off the hands of Bay FC defender Sabie King.
After a brief review, the referee awarded a penalty kick. Ordonez fired a shot into the bottom left corner, and goaltender Lisianne Proulx made a great save, but Ordonez parried the rebound of her own, giving Houston a 2-1 lead with minutes left.
Bay FC still had a little bit of magic left in them.
Rachel Kundananji, who came on as a substitute in the 60th minute to make her Bay FC debut, won a contest with a defender on the right, cut inside and beat two more defenders before finishing with a perfect floater that tipped the goalkeeper. He hit the ball and scored backwards. corner of the net.
When Bay FC paid $800,000 to sign her from Madrid CFF, the 23-year-old Kundananji, who recently set a world transfer record, ran to the sideline and her teammates handed her a Zambian flag. Ta. The crowd went wild when she slung it over her shoulder, but the referee gave her a yellow card, which she did not do.
Once again, A's Bay FC conceded the winning goal for the second consecutive week in stoppage time.
Near the end of the game, a deflected cross hit the feet of Houston's Havana Soraun, who slotted it into the top corner for the winner.