SAN JOSE, Calif. (Aug. 7, 2026) – Bay FC kicks off a two-match road stretch this week as the club heads to the Midwest to face off with Chicago Stars FC. The club visits the Windy City Sunday, August 9 from Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. PT, with the streaming broadcast on NWSL+ and Josh Eastern and Jill Loyden on the call.
Bay FC will look to return to the win column after a string of tough results in last week’s busy slate. After going down early, a tremendous comeback effort brought the club back from down two goals to level with 15 minutes remaining. The club’s hunt for a winner was spoiled by a Seattle score with five minutes to go, although a stellar second half provided a silver lining in yet another game the club looked poised for three points.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bay FC midfielder Hannah Bebar: Bebar earned high praises from her manager and teammates following Saturday’s performance against Seattle. She recorded her first career goal and her first match with multiple scoring contributions, also recording the assist on Keira Barry’s set piece score in the second half. A Chicago-area native, she’ll be in familiar territory as her club takes the pitch in Evanston.
Chicago Stars FC forward Nadia Gomes: Gomes netted her club’s lone goal last week in Louisville, breaking a three-match scoreless streak for Stars FC. After forward Jordyn Huitema went down with a torn ACL earlier this summer, Gomes and others have been counted on to fill the offensive gap. The Portuguese playmaker may have found some confidence with her 80th-minute tally in Kentucky.
Hannah Bebar, Bay FC
Nadia Gomes, Chicago Stars FC
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
Chicago has had a rough go throughout 2026, entering this week at the bottom of the standings and on a run of four straight defeats. The club went without a goal in three straight games from July 10 to 24, with Huitema’s injury certainly impacting its attack. The club has proven capable of finding the right combination at times this season, netting three scores against a now-surging Utah Royals side July 5, and recording two of its four victories on the season in shutout fashion.
The club has performed better on home turf this season, scoring seven of its nine goals and recording three of its four victories this season in friendly confines. Chicago did beat Bay FC in the two sides’ May 24 meeting earlier this year, although only after Bay FC went down to nine players following a pair of sendoffs.
SET FOR HER DEBUT
New Bay FC forward Agostina Holzheier will be available for selection for the first time with her new club. Holzheier joined Bay FC’s roster last week via transfer from Argentina’s Primera Division A side Racing Club, adding another attacking weapon to Emma Coates’ club. In 2026, she scored seven goals in league play, ranking as one of the Primera Division A’s top scorers and helping her club to the top of the table in Apertura play, the Argentine league’s spring season. She has represented Argentina on the international stage since 2021.
A GLORIOUS GOAL
Earlier this week, Bebar’s 13th minute score against Seattle Aug. 1 was nominated for NWSL Goal of the Week, her first career nomination for a weekly league honor. After carrying through the middle of the pitch and advancing into the attacking third, the Duke and Harvard product let loose a 20-yard strike past the leaping dive of Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey and into the upper right corner of the net. The goal marked the first of her professional career. She recorded an assist later in the match, taking a short restart from a set play and dishing to Keira Barry for a one-touch finish.
THREE TRIPS, THREE DESTINATIONS
Bay FC’s trip this week marks the club’s third all-time away match at Stars FC, and in an interesting scheduling quirk, the club will play at its third Chicagoan venue. This week’s match takes place at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on the campus of Northwestern University, the Stars new home starting this season. In 2024 Bay FC and Chicago took the pitch at Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, in front of a then-NWSL record 35,000 fans. Last season’s meeting between the two sides in Chicago took place at SeatGeek Stadium.
HOW TO TUNE IN ON NWSL+
Sunday’s match will broadcast live on NWSL+, the league’s free streaming platform. Fans can make a free account to watch live NWSL games, match recaps, and highlights. NWSL+ is available online, and via the NWSL+ app on Apple TV, Fire TV, and Roku TV in the United States and select additional territories.
WHERE TO WATCH
Bay FC fans looking to cheer on Bay FC across the region this weekend can catch all the action from seven viewing locations in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sacramento, and Walnut Creek. Locations include:
- Rikki’s: 2223 Market St., San Francisco
- Standard Deviant: 280 14th St, Pier 70, San Francisco
- Jack’s: 167 East Taylor Street, San Jose
- Taplands: 1171 Homestead Road, Santa Clara
- El Barrio / Hysteria Sports Bar: 736 Washington St, Oakland
- Pinky’s Pizza and Pub: 2085 N Broadway, Walnut Creek
- Midtown Lounge: 1111 24th St, Sacramento
Doors will open to all events 30 minutes prior to kickoff. More information is available at BayFC.com.
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