SAN JOSE, Calif. (Sept. 11, 2026) – Bay FC kicks off a busy stretch of three matches in nine days this week with a visit to the Pacific Northwest to take on Seattle Reign FC Sept. 12. The final regular season meeting between the two sides is set for a 5 p.m. PT kickoff from Lumen Field and will broadcast live on NWSL+. Bay FC has only lost once to Seattle in five all-time matchups and never at Lumen Field.
Bay FC fell in another close one last Friday at PayPal Park against the Kansas City Current. Despite another strong performance, a late winner by the visitors decided the contest after it proceeded to the final moments deadlocked at 1-1. Bay FC came from behind to equalize prior to the halftime break and did well to dictate play throughout the second half, leading in possession and total shots against the 2025 NWSL Shield Winners.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bay FC defender Heather Gilchrist: Gilchrist has quickly settled in since returning from injury, starting in each of the club’s last four matches after making her pro debut Aug. 9. Last week against Kansas City, she led all players in overall touches and completed 92% of her passing attempts. Her steady presence could be a difference-maker against a confident Seattle attack.
Seattle Reign FC midfielder Sally Menti: Menti has flown under the radar in recent weeks, with forwards Maddie Mercado and Maddie Dahlien earning deserved praise for their role in Reign FC’s attack. Since the midseason break, however, it’s Menti who leads the club in chance creation, with her 23 tallies since July 3 standing as the third-most in the league.
Heather Gilchrist, Bay FC
Sally Menti, Seattle Reign FC
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
Seattle enters Saturday’s contest on a three-match unbeaten streak that includes back-to-back shutout victories over Houston and San Diego. The club edged out Wave FC last week 1-0, seeing out a result after an early red card to the SoCal side put both game plans into the mixer just 13 minutes in. A goal by forward Maddie Mercado just before the half hour mark proved to be the winner as the club tallied its eighth clean sheet of the season.
The club has been in strong form since mid-July with just two defeats in its last ten matches, taking them from 10th place in the standings to two points clear in the final playoff spot. Reign FC hasn’t been shut out since May 15, a span of 13 games and the longest streak in the NWSL this season. That includes the club’s Aug. 1 win over Bay FC at PayPal Park, an eventful 3-2 affair decided in the final moments.
CAPTAIN KEN
This week, Bay FC midfielder Kennedy Fuller has represented the U.S. U-20 National Team at the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, donning the captain’s armband in her squad’s first two matches. Fuller assisted the opening goal for her side in the club’s Wednesday draw vs. Japan, helping her nation head into halftime up 1-0. The squad will close group play Saturday vs. New Zealand, with the result of the match set to determine whether the squad advances to the knockout stage for a chance at silverware.
TWO AWAY FROM ALL-TIME MARK
Bay FC forward Karlie Lema scored her sixth goal of the season last week vs. Kansas City, tying former teammate Penelope Hocking for the second-most goals scored in a single season by a player in club history. With eight games remaining in the regular season, the Bay Area native sits just two scores off forward Asisat Oshoala’s single-season record of eight goals in the club’s inaugural 2024 campaign.
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.
International Broadcasts
- Australia: Stan Sports
- Africa: ESPN SSA
- All other regions: NWSL+
WHERE TO WATCH
Bay FC fans looking to cheer on the club across the region this weekend can catch all the action from viewing locations in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento and Napa. Locations include:
- Rikki’s: 2223 Market St., San Francisco
- Xingones Cantina / Hysteria Sports Bar: 190 4th St, Oakland
- Jack’s: 167 East Taylor Street, San Jose
- Midtown Lounge: 1111 24th St, Sacramento
- Armistice Brewing Company: 1040 Clinton St, Napa
Doors will open to all events 30 minutes prior to kickoff. More information is available at BayFC.com.
Bay FC App
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