Bay FC (4W-6D-10L, 18pts, 12th place) returns home to kick-off a two-game stretch at PayPal Park this weekend as Gotham FC (8W-6D-6L, 30pts, 3rd place) comes west for the two sides’ final 2025 matchup. Kickoff on Sunday, September 21 is set for 5:30 p.m. PT. The club will celebrate Latino Heritage Night with a number of special giveaways, activities and performances from the time gates open to the final whistle. The contest will be broadcast on the national stage on ESPN2 and tickets remain available at BayFC.com/tickets.
Bay FC resumes action following a well-played draw in Orlando last weekend, claiming a point against the defending league champions. Forward Racheal Kundananji scored her second goal in four games, and the club was dangerous all afternoon against one of the league’s top clubs. The result snapped a four-match losing streak and continued the squad’s run of strong attacking performances.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bay FC midfielder Taylor Huff: Huff quietly turned in an excellent performance vs. Orlando and was crucial in the build-up for her club. On the night, she led Bay FC with five chances created, tallied seven final third entries and completed nearly 90% of her passes on the night. Her distribution remains a key part of Bay FC’s ability to generate the quality chances it has this season.
Gotham FC forward Esther Gonzalez: The Spaniard is one of the world’s most dangerous attackers, proving her ability for both club and country in 2025. She currently leads the NWSL Golden Boot race, boasting 13 goals in 19 matches so far this season. She enters on a strong streak of scoring form, with three goals in her club’s last five contests.
THE FUTURE IS HERE
Thursday in San Francisco, Bay FC officially broke ground on its highly anticipated Bay FC Performance Center on Treasure Island, set to open in 2027. Bay FC players and executive leadership were joined by local elected officials and leaders from the City and County of San Francisco, along with community partners for a ceremonial shovel turning on the site of the club’s future home, to be built and created specifically for women athletes. The Bay FC Performance Center will feature three training fields, dedicated sporting operations facilities, and top-of-the-line resources and spaces designed for players to perform at the highest level.
BACK TO BACK
Thursday, the NWSL announced that Jordan Silkowitz’s 60th-minute save September 13 at Orlando Pride has been voted the Week 20 e.l.f. Cosmetics Save of the Week. The honor is Silkowitz’s third of the season and second straight win after taking the Week 19 poll for a save vs. Kansas City Current September 6. She’s been nominated nine times this season.
Silkowitz’s effort denied a close-range opportunity by Orlando’s Jackie Ovalle at the hour mark. After fielding a long cross inside the penalty area, the Mexican international let loose a powerful shot from the edge of the six-yard box. Silkowitz quickly cut off her angle to deny the attempt, keeping Bay FC’s 1-0 lead intact heading into the final half hour of the match. The stop was selected by fan vote through a NWSL social media poll.
OPPONENT REPORT
Gotham FC visits the Bay Area on a strong run of form. The club has won three straight and is unbeaten in each of its last four matches. The club has been one of the league’s strongest since June, with only one loss on its record since June 7. The New Jersey side made a splash in the transfer window last week to further strengthen its roster, acquiring midfielder Jaedyn Shaw from North Carolina Courage, adding to an already deep midfield unit.
The club earned a 2-0 clean sheet win over San Diego last week. Despite the hosts holding the advantage in possession, Gotham FC made the most of its opportunities. After a scoreless affair to open the match, Gonzalez found the net for her club just before the halftime break. Playing her first match with Gotham FC, Shaw put one through in the second half to double the advantage.
HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY – BAY v GFC
Gotham FC has taken three points in all three of the head-to-head matchups in 2024 and so far in 2025. A 2-0 result favored the visitors in their last meeting at PayPal Park in May of 2024. Bay FC’s October 2024 trip to Sports Illustrated Stadium was a competitive one, with the two sides knotted at one goal each with 20 minutes remaining before three goals in four minutes from the 70th to the 74th put the hosts in control.
The two sides played a back-and forth affair in June earlier this season. Bay FC jumped out to an early advantage when Penelope Hocking scored 11 minutes in and largely had the hosts on their heels with a 2.81 expected goals rating. Gotham FC equalized at the half hour mark before scoring the winner shortly after the break.
CELEBRATING LATINO HERITAGE
Bay FC will celebrate Latino Heritage Night at this weekend’s match, presented by Visa. The evening will kick off with the first 5,000 fans through the gates receiving an exclusive Bay FC keychain. Bay FC will power an expanded FanFest with activations celebrating Latino heritage and culture across the Bay Area. Bay FC encourages all supporters to arrive early to participate in Sunday’s unique matchday experiences, including:
- Special Entrance: San Jose-based group Mariachi Tapatio will perform outside PayPal Park ahead of the match, welcoming fans into the stadium with traditional Mariachi music. A lowrider from Blvd Bombs Car Club will be on display alongside the performance.
- Gate Giveaway: The first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive a Bay FC x Latino Heritage Night Keychain as they enter the stadium, while supplies last.
- FanFest Rebrand: Bay FC’s pre-match fanfest will be re-branded as “Plaza del Bay FC,” and feature a collection of local Latino performers, including vocalist Ysenia Martinez, who will also perform the Star Spangled Banner prior to kickoff, San Francisco native La Doña, Presentation High School Folklorico, Tamborazo Los Kachoorros, and the Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley
- Halftime Performance: Performers from San Jose-based dance academy Grupo Los Laureles Folklórico return to PayPal Park and perform on the pitch at halftime. The group featured prominently at last season’s Latino Heritage Night match.
- Special Merchandise Collection: An all-new Latino Heritage night T-Shirt and Hoodie will be available for purchase exclusively at Sunday’s match. Designed by San Francisco-based artist Rose D’Amato, 10% of proceeds from sales of the special items will benefit the Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley.
JERSEY
Bay FC will sport their Obsidian home jersey when they play Gotham FC at PayPal Park. Grab the 2025 Bay FC jersey to stand behind the team. Also, check out Bay FC’s new merch: 2025 Poppy Collection.
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 Gotham FC lineups will be available before kickoff below and in the Bay FC app.
MATCH TIMELINE
