Playing on a professional team can be nerve-wracking, especially when you don’t know anyone. What can make things easier? Friendships.
Bay Area native and University of California, Berkley standout, Karlie Lema signed a three-year contract with Bay Football Club December 30, 2024. Shortly after, three-time All-American Taylor Huff was signed January 9, 2025.
The rookies sat together after practice to reflect on their friendship and how it’s evolved in such a short time frame. When asked about their playing experience in college athletics, the rookies shared they didn’t cross paths as their schools didn’t face each other. It wasn’t until they joined Bay FC that they played together.
“It was nice, obviously having someone there to lean on, and when I signed, I was like, oh gosh, I’m in this alone,” said Lema. “Then Taylor signed, so that was nice, and we’ve been two peas in a pod ever since.”
Lema added how she instantly followed Huff after her signing announcement. Both began to follow each other, and the rest is history.
“It’s been cool like she was saying, it would be hard to come into this alone, and we kind of figured it out together,” added Huff. “We each added so much value to each other. It’s like she’s making me better, and I hope I’m making her better in that way, so it’s been good.”
Huff and Lema explained that they were roommates at training camp in Santa Barbara in February. They shared how they became instant friends and everyone on the team noticed they were inseparable.
“In Santa Barbara, especially, they’d be like, oh, there’s Taylor and Karlie, or they’re always together, so wherever one is, I feel like the other one isn’t far,” explained Lema.
As they reflected on their time in preseason camp, the rookies shared that they couldn’t believe it was only a couple months ago. “Santa Barbara seems like so long ago,” said Huff.
After training in Santa Barbara, the team traveled to Coachella Valley for preseason matches. The rookies showed excitement during training and played together for the first time in the Coachella Valley Invitational (CVI). Huff and Lema were both on the Starting XI against the Seattle Reign, where they got the opportunity to share the pitch.
“It was cool. All I have do is kick it to her, and she runs as fast as heck, so get the ball to her,” shared Huff about CVI as they both laughed. “It’s cool to see how preseason formed and helped the relationship, we haven’t really known each other very well, but it feels like we’ve known each other forever in a way.”
Fast forward to March 15, Huff and Lema made their National Women’s Soccer League debut against the Utah Royals. Huff started while Lema was subbed into the match in the 66th minute. The following week, March 22, Lema made her first start against Racing Louisville and scored her first goal. The Bay Area Native appeared in PayPal Park, where the rookies shared the home pitch for the first time.
“I think it [the Home Opener] was so cool, especially at home,” said Lema. “Our whole group plays together pretty well, and I feel like I’ve been playing with them all, like, before I don’t know why, but yeah, I feel like we all do so good together.”
“The Home Opener was so much fun. I was just trying to keep up with Karlie honestly because I headed the ball and then I’m like, oh shoot, she’s on a run and she has like, two or three people in front of her,” explained Huff. “She’s going to beat them, so I was just trying to keep up, honestly, but no, it was like such a fulfilling moment to be together, and I was the first one there.”
“I turned around and was, wait, where’s everybody? And then I see Taylor,” added Lema about their photo together. “I just beelined towards Taylor.”
Huff and Lema wrapped up their interview by sharing that they spend time together off the pitch when they aren’t too tired. They added how they are eager to explore more places in the Bay Area together and have a successful 2025 season.
Huff and Lema return to PayPal Park April 13 at 4 p.m. PT for Bay FC’s Women’s Empowerment Night, presented by Invisalign. For tickets and information visit BayFC.com.
