Ten Bay FC players answered international call-ups across three continents this April. From World Cup qualifiers overseas to USWNT friendlies on home soil, the club was represented by Sydney Collins, Claire Hutton, Cristiana Girelli, Aldana Cometti, Taylor Huff, Jordan Silkowitz, Alex Pfeiffer, Keira Barry, and Anouk Denton.
Here is a look at how four of these professional women’s soccer stars fared with their senior national teams and what they are bringing back to the San Jose squad.
🇨🇦 Sydney Collins Leads Canada in FIFA Series 2026
Canada · FIFA Series 2026 · Cuibiá Brazil
W 4–0 vs Zambia
W 3–1 vs Korea Republic
L 0–1 vs Brazil
Bay FC defender and captain Sydney Collins started Canada’s first two matches of the FIFA Series 2026 in Cuiabá before entering as a late substitute in the series finale. She helped her side go 2–1 across three demanding fixtures in Brazil. For the Bay FC captain, wearing the Canadian jersey never loses its honor.
Collins was quick to draw a line between the two environments by describing Canada’s style as aggressive and front-footed and noting it’s not far from Bay FC’s style of play. The familiarity between club and country sharpened her as a leader, and her experience captaining Bay FC translated into how she competed for her national team.
“I try to show up as the same person every time. Having the experience of being more of a leader on this team — and being alongside some great leaders — set me up for success going into the international window and representing Bay FC.”
Distance has a way of adding perspective, and looking back at Bay FC from abroad reinforced what makes the club special to her.
“We have a great team culture, such a deep squad, with everyone wanting to keep getting better and grow together. Coming back and hearing about the game against Ottawa, players making their professional debuts, the continuous effort of the group to improve every week no matter who’s on the pitch — the belief in our locker room is really special. That makes it fun to come back to.”
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🇺🇸 Claire Hutton Makes USWNT History in Japan Series
USA · USWNT vs Japan Series
W 2–1 vs Japan · San Jose
L 0–1 vs Japan · Seattle
W 3–0 vs Japan · Commerce City
Bay FC midfielder Claire Hutton made history during the April window by becoming the youngest USWNT starting captain since 2001 when she led the side in the second match of the Japan series, a moment she could only describe as “surreal.” She came on as a late substitute in the opener at Bay FC’s home at PayPal Park, before starting the final two matches and registering three shot attempts in a 3–0 series-clinching win.
Moving between club and country has felt seamless, and she puts a lot of that down to coaching. Both USWNT head coach Emma Hayes and Bay FC head coach Emma Coates, share a similar coaching philosophy, she says, which is building a tactical structure as a platform for players to express themselves freely rather than conform to a mold.
Away from the national team spotlight, Hutton came back to what drew her to Bay FC in the first place. The people around her, she says, are the reason she’s here.
“It’s a team of just some great women and a staff of just some great people, and I think that’s why I chose Bay. Being here and being surrounded by these people have made me a better person, a better player.”
She’s carrying something back from camp that she wants embedded at Bay FC, especially for teammates with national team dreams of their own.
“I think the biggest thing is just standards. It’s something that we do say here at Bay, but at national team it’s something that’s really drilled in. So coming back here, it’s just knowing that each and every day we’re here to take a step forward. And I know so many of these girls also have dreams of being on the national team, and hopefully in the next few years we can make that happen.”
🇮🇹 Cristiana Girelli Shines in Italy’s World Cup Qualifying Campaign
Italy · FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
W 6–0 vs Serbia
D 0–0 vs Denmark
For Bay FC forward Cristiana Girelli, pulling on the Italy jersey is never taken for granted. Representing her country, she says, is always an honor and this window gave her plenty to be proud of. She opened the scoring in Italy’s 6–0 victory over Serbia before starting again in a hard-fought 0–0 draw against Denmark. She returns to the NWSL with Italy’s World Cup qualification campaign very much alive and June’s fixtures already circled.
For Girelli, the step up to international football felt familiar. She compared the level of women’s professional soccer to Champions League and noted that facing countries like Denmark and Sweden felt similar to what she encounters week to week in the NWSL. The intensity, she believes, is just as high.
Away from the Azzurre, Girelli’s thoughts drifted back to San Jose and specifically to the first time she experiences what playing at PayPal Park was like.
“The stadium at PayPal Park is really, really emotional. I remember the first game I watched, I was in the stands, and I was like, ‘Wow,’ because it was the first time I watched a game live. I was impressed and excited to play there.”
Back in training, Girelli is just as excited about the squad around her and where she believes Bay FC is headed.
“I think this team has big potential to grow. We have a mix of young players and experienced ones. The style the coach wants to give us is really important, and I think we can grow training after training because this team has the quality to do that. I also think the club has a big project — to leave a mark in this league.”
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🇦🇷 Aldana Cometti Captains Argentina in Women’s Nations League
Argentina · CONMEBOL Women’s Nations League
W 1–0 vs Chile
W 2–1 vs Venezuela
D 0–0 vs Colombia
Bay FC defender Aldana Cometti played every minute of Argentina’s three matches in the inaugural CONMEBOL Women’s Nations League, captaining the side to two wins and a draw in a tournament that also serves as a crucial qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Cometti carries her relentless Argentine mentality into training at Bay FC every day. She holds nothing back in how she plays and hopes it inspires those around her, she explained.
“We are a country accustomed to living and breathing football and leaving it all out on the field for every ball, in every training session. Here, the culture may be different, but they strive to do the very same thing.”
Coming back and seeing the younger players pushing for spots on the starting lineup, including those who impressed in the friendly against Ottawa, added to her excitement. For Cometti, that competition raises the level of the team and teaches the veterans something too.
“That’s the beautiful thing about our team, having these young women who are currently playing and fighting for a spot on the starting lineup for their senior teams. It also teaches us who are a bit older a great deal: how to embrace that charisma, and perhaps even that spirited, rebellious style of play, that they demonstrate.”
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When is the Next Bay FC Home Match at PayPal Park?
The international stars return to domestic action soon. Watch these world-class athletes bring their experience back to San Jose on May 10 when Bay FC takes on Utah Royals FC.
