SAN JOSE, Calif. (Aug. 22, 2026) – Bay FC returns home to PayPal Park after two weeks away, welcoming the Houston Dash to the Bay Area Sunday, Aug. 23. The contest marks the club’s Black Heritage Match, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. PT, and broadcast live on CBS Sports Network. Tickets remain available at BayFC.com/tickets.
Bay FC fell in a tough result last Friday in Utah, performing well despite coming out on the losing end. An eventful first half saw four goals scored before the halftime break and Bay FC go toe-to-toe with the Royals throughout the contest. The club celebrated a pair of debuts, with defender Jenna Nighswonger and forward Agostina Holzheier each making their inaugural appearances with the club as second half substitutes.
Players to Watch
Bay FC forward Karlie Lema: Lema’s goals have come in bunches this season, and she found the net last week to open the scoring with an excellent high pressing effort. Her pace and physicality have made an impact throughout the season, and the last time she found the net, it kicked off a stretch of four goals in three games.
Houston Dash forward Clarrisa Larisey: Larisey led her club’s late comeback on the road last weekend in North Carolina, scoring two goals in the final ten minutes plus stoppage time to equalize and put her club ahead. The Canadian has started just three games in 17 appearances this season, but her heroics may have just lined her up for more opportunities. She earned a starting nod Wednesday vs. Chicago Stars FC.
Karlie Lema, Bay FC
Clarissa Larisey, Houston Dash
CELEBRATING BLACK HERITAGE
Bay FC will celebrate the rich history, culture, leadership, and community impact of Black organizations and storied individuals across the Bay Area and beyond as part of its Black Heritage Match. Alongside the club’s contest vs. the Houston Dash at PayPal Park, an elevated pre-match FanFest featuring local community partners, performances and more special-themed activities will kick off when gates open to the public at 1 p.m.
As part of the festivities, Oakland-born Grammy-winning soul, jazz, and R&B vocalist, songwriter, and educator Pher will perform Lift Every Voice and Sing prior to kickoff, and at halftime, members of the Emmanuel Gospel Church of San Jose will perform at halftime.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
Houston visits San Jose on the winning end of two straight big results. Wednesday, an offensive outburst saw five goals go into the back of the net in a win over Chicago, including a brace from forward Kat Rader. A thriller last weekend in North Carolina saw the club come back from two separate deficits , with five lead changes punctuated by a winner late in stoppage time for a 3-2 victory. A string of three straight matches unbeaten has brought the club to just one point back of the playoff line.
With the exception of the club’s midweek blowout victory, tight contests have defined Houston’s second half in 2026. Since the resumption of play in July, five of the club’s eight games have been decided in the final ten minutes, including four occasions where a score deep in second half stoppage time influenced the outcome. That includes the club’s July 24 meeting with Bay FC, decided in the 91st minute, and two of its last three contests, which were punctuated by scores in the 93rd and 81st minutes, respectively.
RING, RING – NATIONAL TEAM CALLING
Earlier this week, U.S. Soccer announced that Bay FC midfielder Kennedy Fuller has been selected to the U-20 Women’s National Team roster for the upcoming U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland from September 5-27. Fuller will join the squad following Bay FC’s match Sunday, Aug. 30 at the Washington Spirit as the U-20’s make a run at a global title.
Fuller’s call-up marks her first international selection since joining Bay FC and will mark her second selection to a Youth World Cup. The Southlake, Texas native has been a regular in the U.S. Youth ranks since 2022, helping the U-15’s to the 2022 Concacaf title, and the U-17’s to the 2024 Concacaf title and bronze at that year’s U-17 World Cup. She’s represented the U-20’s in training and friendlies throughout 2026, joining the squad most recently in June as it traveled to Spain for friendly action vs. European opposition. Fuller has appeared in all eight matches for Bay FC since the June international break, debuting July 5 and logging 698 minutes while scoring one goal.
BAY FC x BAWSI
At halftime of Sunday’s match, the club will also celebrate midfielder Hannah Bebar, the club’s nominee for the 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, and the incredible community work of the Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative (BAWSI) in a special halftime ceremony. Fans can support Bebar’s nomination by voting daily in the NWSL Fan Impact Challenge, with the winning nominee awarded an additional $10,000 donation to a community organization of their choice courtesy of Nationwide. Fans who show proof of voting at Bay FC’s match Sunday at PayPal Park can earn a 10% discount at all in-stadium merchandise locations. Fans can vote once per device every day through August 29.
THANK YOU, TESS
Wednesday, Bay FC announced that the club has agreed to a mutual contract termination with midfielder Tess Boade. A member of the club’s inaugural roster and captain in 2025, Boade will depart the club after three seasons and 47 regular season appearances. Boade joined Bay FC as one of the club’s three expansion draft selections ahead of the 2024 season. She tallied three goals and two assists during her time in the Bay Area, including the assist on Bay FC’s first goal in club history, the match-winner March 17, 2024 at Angel City FC.
Where to Watch
Fans in the United States can watch the match on CBS Sports Network, while those in Mexico can watch it on TV Azteca. For all other regions, watch live on NWSL+.
App
Download the Bay FC app to easily manage your tickets and receive exclusive news and matchday exclusives all at your fingertips.
Lineups
Bay FC vs Houston Dash lineups will be available before kickoff below.
