SAN JOSE, Calif. (Aug. 13, 2026) – Bay FC plays its second straight road match this weekend in a Friday night meeting with the Utah Royals. The club visits America First Field in Sandy, Utah, August 14, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. PT. The match will broadcast live on NWSL+.
After snapping a three-game losing streak, the club will look for a second straight result on the heels of a draw at Chicago August 9. Bay FC continued to be dangerous on the offensive end but couldn’t steal a winner before the final whistle sounded. The club showed well on the defensive side, keeping Stars FC from generating opportunities for long stretches and claiming its fifth clean sheet of the season
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bay FC defender Jenna Nighswonger:
Nighswonger could see her Bay FC debut this week just days after officially coming over via transfer from Arsenal. It’s without question that she is a difference-maker as she returns to the NWSL, where she earned a pair of Best XI selections in her first two seasons before heading overseas. Even as she acclimates to her new team, she’ll surely bring a dynamic, stabilizing presence in addition to star power on both ends of the pitch opponents will need to account for.
Utah Royals forward Cloé Lacasse:
Lacasse has been at the center of Utah’s attack in recent weeks, recording five scoring contributions in her last four games. A three-assist performance two weeks ago headlined a wild 5-1 result over Portland Thorns FC, and she tallied a goal and assist each July 25 at North Carolina. Her 13 combined goals and assists this season is tied for third league wide entering Friday.
Know Your Opponent
Utah has been one of the league’s top teams this season, entering the week in third place in the NWSL standings. The club is the league’s highest scoring team and has the second-best goal differential, a nod to its excellence throughout this season on both ends. The Royals have been able to strike from all over the pitch, with eight players on its roster have recorded more than one goal, led by Lacasse with six, and four players recording more than five scoring contributions.
Recent results have seen the club fall back from striking distance of the top spot, where a surging Gotham FC created a pair of six-point swings in the standings in recent weeks. The club is coming off a 2-1 defeat to rocky mountain rival Denver, where the Summit scored in the final moments to steal three points after a 1-1 scoreline through 89 minutes of play.
A NEW FACE IN THE BAY AREA
Bay FC announced Monday that the club has acquired defender Jenna Nighswonger from English club Arsenal WFC for an undisclosed transfer fee. The 2023 NWSL Champion and Rookie of the Year and 2024 Olympic Champion with the United States has signed a contract through 2028 to return to the NWSL after a two-season spell abroad in England’s Women’s Super League.
A 2021 NCAA champion at Florida State, Nighswonger earned NWSL Rookie of the Year and Best XI Second Team distinction in addition to a trophy as Gotham won the NWSL Championship title in 2023. She earned NWSL Best XI First Team honors her sophomore campaign before joining Arsenal in January 2025, and her club went on to win the 2024/25 UEFA Champions league later that season. Nighswonger won a trio of trophies internationally with the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2024, helping the Stars and Stripes to Gold at the 2024 SheBelieves Cup and Olympic Games in Paris, and a continental title at the 2024 W Gold Cup.
THE FIRST ONE’S ALWAYS SPECIAL
Bay FC celebrated a milestone for defender Heather Gilchrist Sunday in Chicago. With just over 15 minutes remaining, the Florida State product entered the match as a substitute for Joelle Anderson on the backline, marking her first pro appearance. The two-time national champion with the Seminoles showed well in her NWSL debut appearance, completing 70% of her passes and winning two of two one-on-one duels. Gilchrist began the season on the 45-day injury list as she recovered from a right knee injury sustained in preseason camp.
ROSTER MOVE: BAY > DAL
Bay FC announced Wednesday that the club has agreed to loan forward Onyeka Gamero to USL Super League club Dallas Trinity FC. Gamero will join Dallas for the remainder of 2026 calendar year.
Gamero has appeared in five matches with Bay FC in 2026, logging 92 minutes. She made her club debut March 28 at North Carolina in a 3-1 win, her first competitive action since returning from a knee injury suffered in 2023. She joined the club via transfer from FC Barcelona B in July 2025.
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 the club across the region this weekend can catch all the action from six viewing locations in San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, San Jose, Santa Clara, and Walnut Creek. Locations include:
- Jack’s: 167 East Taylor Street, San Jose
- Rikki’s: 2223 Market St., San Francisco
- Xingones Cantina / Hysteria Sports Bar: 190 4th St, Oakland
- Midtown Lounge: 1111 24th St, Sacramento
- Pinky’s Pizza and Pub: 2085 N Broadway, Walnut Creek
- Taplands: 1171 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara
Doors will open to all events 30 minutes prior to kickoff. More information is available at BayFC.com.
Bay FC App
Download the Bay FC App to keep up to date on Bay FC’s match at Chicago Stars FC.
