Bay FC (3W-3D-4L; 12 pts) returns to action following the international break Saturday afternoon with the first of two straight home matches. Portland Thorns FC (4W-4D-2L; 16 pts) visits the Bay Area June 7 at 4:30 p.m. PT for Pride Night at PayPal Park.
The club enters the match on a run of two consecutive unbeaten results while also earning points in four of the past six matches. Bay FC earned a point in a come-from-behind performance at Houston May 24, showing strong after the intermission to erase a first half deficit for the first time in 2025. Forward Penelope Hocking scored for the third straight match, becoming the first player in club history to accomplish the feat, while forward Rachel Hill opened her 2025 scoring account.
Bay FC welcomes two players back from international duty this week. Goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz made her international debut for the United States U23 Women’s National Team in Germany Monday, and forward Racheal Kundananji appeared in a pair of friendlies for Zambia over the weekend. Silkowitz’s call-up marked her first to a national team program at any level. Each are back with the team for Saturday’s match.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bay FC forward Penelope Hocking: Hocking has been among the league’s most dangerous dating to the start of May. The SoCal native has scored in three straight contests for Bay FC, making her the first player in club history to do so. She tallied her first score at Kansas City May 11, before netting the opening score for Bay FC in each of its following two matches vs. Angel City and at Houston.
Portland Thorns FC defender Jayden Perry: Perry’s impact on her club’s attack has been notable in recent weeks, scoring three goals in her last four matches. Portland is unbeaten in league play since she found the net for her first goal of the season April 22.
IMPRESSING IN THEIR FIRST START
A week after Bay FC defender Maddie Moreau impressed in her first start May 17 vs. Angel City, midfielder Hannah Bebar did the same in her first career starting nod May 24. Just a week and change removed from re-joining the team after completing her Master’s Degree at Duke, Bebar tallied 72 minutes with a pair of chances created, 77% passing accuracy and three successful one-on-one duels.
TAKING ON A FAMILIAR FOE
Bay FC defenders Kelli Hubly and Emily Menges each take on their previous club this week. Each featured for Portland from their pro debuts to the time they joined Bay FC – Menges from 2014 to 2023, and Hubly from 2017 to 2024. Each won two titles and a Challenge Cup in 2021 with the club, and rank among the Thorns all time leaders in appearances and minutes.
STRONG OUT OF THE BREAK
Since the start of the club’s inaugural season, Bay FC has played well after bye weeks provided by international windows. Overall, the club has claimed three wins, and been defeated twice coming off a bye, with victories coming against Seattle Reign, Chicago Stars FC, and Houston Dash. Earlier this season, the club fell to Chicago Stars FC April 13 following the April international window.
OPPONENT REPORT
Portland visits the Bay Area in stellar form. The club is unbeaten in its last five regular season matches and has a league-leading 13 goals in that span, with just six tallies allowed. However, they haven’t played a league match in three weeks, with action in the Concacaf W Champions Cup taking place the weekend of May 24. Thorns placed third in the continental championship, besting Mexico’s Club America in the match for third place after falling to Tigres in the semifinal.
In its last league contest, Portland came out of the gates fast, tagging the Houston Dash for three goals before halftime intermission. A fourth score in the second half sealed the deal as the club secured its third straight contest with one or fewer goals allowed. The club’s run of form has boosted it to fifth in the league table, just three points back of the number three position currently held by Orlando Pride.
Watch: Can’t make the match in person? Fans in the US can watch on Ion. Fans in Australia can watch on Optus and fans in Central America can watch on TV Azteca.
Last Meeting: It’s been an even series so far between Bay FC and Portland, with each club claiming a victory in 2024. Portland took the win in the first meeting May 1, scoring twice in the first ten minutes. Bay FC battled back to equalize, but a late score by Thorns’ Sophia Wilson ended as the winner late.
Bay FC started fast in the second matchup in August, with Abby Dahlkemper scoring just seven minutes into her club regular season debut. Two more scores, one each from Rachel Hill and Joelle Anderson, sealed all three points for Bay FC in its first of three straight unbeaten results from August 30 to September 13. Watch the highlights below!
Giveaway: The first 3,000 fans at PayPal Park will receive an exclusive Bay FC Pride bandana designed by artist Orlie K. As a queer artist and proud Bay FC supporter, Orlie K. honors the strength, beauty, and resilience of the 2SLGBTQAI+ community both on and off the pitch with this Pride collaboration.
Tickets: Grab your tickets for Bay FC’s match against Portland Thorns and come watch NWSL soccer and unique performances to celebrate Pride!
Jerseys: Bay FC will wear their obsidian Home Jerseys against Portland Thorns. Shop Bay FC Jerseys to match with the team or grab some merch from our new Bay FC Pride Collection in honor of our Pride celebration!
App: Receive Bay FC updates at your fingertips with the Bay FC App. Download it from the App Store or Google Play for live scores, stats, and instant Bay FC goal notifications. Allow “Live Activities” to see updates directly from your home screen. A live match feed is also available below and on NSWLSoccer.com.
Lineups: Bay FC vs Portland Thorns lineups will be available before kickoff below and in the Bay FC app.
Match Timeline:
