SAN JOSE, Calif. (Aug. 28, 2026) – Bay FC will look for a second straight win Sunday as it visits the nation’s capital for a matinee vs. the Washington Spirit at Audi Field. Kickoff on Aug. 30 is set for 9:30 a.m. PT, and the match will broadcast live for a national audience on ESPN2.
Bay FC returned to the win column last weekend, claiming all three points in a thriller vs. the Houston Dash. An end-to-end matchup was scoreless heading to the final moments before forward Cristiana Girelli netted the winner in the 89th minute, her first goal in a Bay FC shirt. A goalkeeping battle kept the score deadlocked despite an exciting display of attacking chances throughout the afternoon before Bay FC took advantage of a set play opportunity late. Defensively, the club’s sixth clean sheet tied its single season record and marked its second shutout in three weeks.
Players to Watch
Bay FC midfielder Kennedy Fuller: Fuller’s contributions may not have shown in the scoreline in Week 18 vs. Houston, but she was excellent in the attacking third throughout the contest. Her four chances created and 20 passes in the final third both led the club as it generated quality scoring opportunities leading up to Girelli’s winner. Sunday marks her final game before departing for the U-20 World Cup in Poland in September.
Washington Spirit forward Ashley Hatch: Hatch made her return from maternity leave earlier this month and has since come off the bench in each of her club’s last two matches. As she returns to full fitness, Washington’s attack stands to get stronger with her quality. She hasn’t found the back of the net since returning, but tallied six goals in 2025, including two vs. Bay FC in their last meeting in D.C.
Kennedy Fuller, Bay FC
Ashley Hatch, Washington Spirit
KNOW YOUR OPPONENt
Washington has suffered some tough luck in recent weeks, as opponents’ late heroics have had an impact on their results throughout August. Late scores by North Carolina and Angel City FC took away results in consecutive weeks from Aug. 8-16. Washington fell in a tight 1-0 result last week to Orlando, but the final score wasn’t fully representative of its effort as the club posted 23 total shots, hit the woodwork four times and recorded an expected goals rating of 2.1.
The Spirit held sole possession of first place as recently as four weeks ago and currently sit in second place and seven points back of the top spot. Prior to August 2, the club had been the league’s best since April, with 11 wins in 13 matches. That stretch included the second most goals, seven shutouts and the fewest goals allowed mark by any team in that time, a nod to their quality on both ends.
WELCOME BACK
Earlier this week, Bay FC announced that the club has activated defender Emily Menges from maternity leave. The 12-year NWSL veteran will return to the club’s roster and be available for selection for the first time this season on Sunday.
Menges was placed on maternity leave in August 2025 and welcomed her first child this past February. Since joining Bay FC from Portland Thorns FC ahead of the club’s inaugural season, she has appeared in 31 regular season matches for the club, last appearing in May 2025 as the club secured a point in a 2-2 draw at Houston. She played in all 26 games her first year with Bay FC, recording two assists across over 2,200 minutes and captaining the squad throughout its late season push to a playoff berth. One of the league’s most reliable and longest-tenured players, Menges’ 191 regular season appearances rank 16th in league history, while her 16,394 minutes ranks 10th all-time.
HERE TO STAY
Bay FC announced Thursday that it has reached an agreement with Juventus FC to extend the club’s loan of forward Cristiana Girelli. The Italian national team legend with remain on loan with Bay FC through June 2027 after a successful start to her NWSL career since coming stateside in March.
Girelli joined Bay FC in February, originally on loan through August 2026. She’s tallied 16 appearances with Bay FC, making her club debut in March against in-state rival Angel City FC. She tallied an assist in each of her first two games and scored her first NWSL goal this past Sunday vs. the Houston Dash, an 89th minute game-winner to help Bay FC to a 1-0 victory at PayPal Park. Her decorated career has spanned over two decades and includes 32 trophies to go with a collection of individual accolades, including three Serie A Golden Boots, 2024-25 Serie A MVP honors and two Italian Female Footballer of the Year awards.
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, Sacramento, San Jose and Santa Clara. Locations include:
- Jack’s: 167 East Taylor Street, San Jose
- Rikki’s: 2223 Market St., San Francisco
- Midtown Lounge: 1111 24th St, Sacramento
- Taplands: 1171 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara
Doors will open to all events 30 minutes prior to kickoff. More information is available at BayFC.com.
Doors will open to all events 30 minutes prior to kickoff. More information is available at BayFC.com.
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