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Bay FC Staff

Playoff Preview: Bay FC at Washington Spirit | November 10, 2024

Bay FC travels to Washington, D.C. to take on the Washington Spirit at Audi Field in the quarterfinals of the 2024 NWSL Playoffs at 9:30 a.m. PT on Sunday, November 10. The match will be broadcast nationally on ABC as part of Sunday doubleheader playoff coverage.  

The Spirit enter the match as the second seed. They set a new club record for wins in the regular season with 18, and concluded the campaign with five straight home victories. They were second in the league with 51 goals scored, while allowing the third-fewest goals at 28. Led by Trinity Rodman and Ashley Hatch, and bolstered by the emerging talent of Makena Morris, Washington boasts a strong attack with many players that can be a threat in front of goal. To earn a win on the road, Bay FC needs to remain disciplined defensively and clinical with their opportunities on offense.  

Although Bay FC lost their first two meetings against the Spirit on March 23 and July 6, they shored up their defense in the second half of the season with the acquisition of Abby Dahlkemper and unlocked the offensive prowess of Asisat Oshoala and Racheal Kundananji. Dahlkemper was named to the NWSL Best XI for consecutive months in August and September and contributed offensively with goals against Portland Thorns FC and North Carolina Courage. She has scored more goals than any other defender in the regular season this year. Kundananji is on a hot streak with a goal or assist in each of her last three appearances and the second-most scoring contributions in the NWSL since the start of October. She scored Bay FC’s first brace in their final match of the regular season and took the internet by storm with her ankle-breaking moves.  

Bay FC has been the second-best team in the NWSL on the road since the beginning of June, earning five wins and two draws in eight away matches. Sunday represents an opportunity to demonstrate their growth against a strong opponent.  

Playoff Overview: If a match is tied at the end of regulation, two 15-minute periods of extra time will be played. Each team is allowed one additional sub if the match goes to extra time. If the match is tied after extra time, a penalty kick shootout will decide the winner.  

Should Bay FC win and advance to the semi-final round, they will face the winner of Portland Thorns FC vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC. The semi-final round will take place on November 16-17 and the higher seed will host the match, with details to be announced. The NWSL Championship will take place on November 23 at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, at 5:00 p.m. PT on CBS.  

Watch: Bay FC at Washington Spirit will be broadcast nationally on ABC. A variety of international broadcasters will show the match:  

*exclusive 

Jerseys: Bay FC will wear their white primary jerseys on the road this weekend in Washington. You can get your own jersey online here. All inaugural season jerseys are currently available at a 30% discount.   

Live Score: Download the Bay FC app on the App Store or Google Play for live scores and stats as well as Bay FC goal push notifications. A live match feed is also available below and on NWSLSoccer.com

Lineups: Lineups will be available shortly before kickoff below and in the Bay FC app.