Match Preview: Bay FC Take on Portland Thorns FC in Sunday Matinee on ESPN

Next Match: Bay FC vs Portland Thorns FC on Oct. 18, 2026, at 2 p.m. (Pacific)

SAN JOSE, Calif. (Oct. 16, 2026) – Following a week off alongside the October international break, Bay FC returns to action this week for a Sunday showdown against Portland Thorns FC. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. PT from PayPal Park, and the match will broadcast live on ESPN. Tickets remain available at BayFC.com/tickets.

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Bay FC will look to return to the win column in its first home match in three weeks and has a chance to play spoiler to a Portland side in a crowded playoff race. With just three weeks left in the 2026 regular season, each club is taking every minute seriously, either as an opportunity to better their playoff position or set pieces in place for 2027.

In Their Own Words

“When we go into Portland, it’s around going back to how we want to play, who we are, making sure that actually we level up the areas we’ve been talking around,” said Head Coach Emma Coates. “They’ve got dynamic players across the front four. So us neutralizing that’s going to be important, and that just comes back to doing our jobs and doing our jobs well.”

“I think everyone can see our identity of who we want to be, how we want to be, how we want to play, taking shape,” Coates continued. “We’re always looking at ways to improve, both off the pitch, on the pitch, evolve our style of play, whatever it might be. I think we’ve laid some good foundations, [and] I think there’s been lots of positives despite where we are. We’ve got three games to get as many points on the board as possible.”

“Our main priority is just to build our connections back after the break, and obviously to win,” said defender Maddie Moreau. “And just to enjoy our soccer, because right now we’re building into next season, and we’re going to hopefully try some things and play free and have a good time.”

“We’re excited to get back in front of our home fans at Pay Pal Park, they always make the atmosphere amazing for us,” said Coates. “Our focus for the remaining games is to end our season as strong as possible; get on the front foot, play exciting football, be hard to beat and be the best version of ourselves. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday”

Players to Watch

Bay FC forward Karlie Lema: Lema has scored in two of her last three NWSL matches, putting the club ahead early in its last fixture with a perfect finish against Kansas City to stun the home crowd. She continued her run of strong form last Friday in international play for the U-23 U.S. Women’s National Team, scoring in the 83rd minute in the squad’s win over Dominican Republic.

Portland Thorns FC midfielder Pietra Tordin: Tordin has been one of the league’s top playmakers throughout this season, entering the week with 17 total scoring contributions. Her nine assists this season rank second in the league, and her 50 chances created rank third. She was rewarded for her form, having joined the U.S. WNT for its friendlies vs. Spain on Saturday and Tuesday.

Karlie Lema, Bay FC
Pietra Tordin, Portland Thorns FC

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT

Every result matters for Portland the rest of the way as the club finds itself only three points above the playoff line with three games remaining. The Thorns also have the discipline report impacting their roster, as forward Sophia Wilson is suspended for the next two matches following a red card in the club’s Oct. 3 match vs. Boston. The club currently sits in seventh place in the standings on 43 points, right in the middle of a grouping of six teams within six points of one another from fourth to ninth.

Portland’s last match was a setback to the club’s hopes of climbing the table. A 4-2 defeat included Wilson’s red card in the 22nd minute and an own goal in the 39th minute, as well as a late punctuation mark on the match by Boston that all but thwarted the Thorns hopes of a comeback. Before then, however, the club had been in solid form with just one defeat since August 9, claiming 15 points from an eight-game stretch on four wins, three draws and one defeat.

International Recap

Nine Bay FC players represented their national teams through this week during the October match window. Of note, Bay FC forward Karlie Lema scored for the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team in a 5-0 win over the Dominican Republic Oct. 9, while forward Cristiana Girelli captained Italy to the next round of the UEFA World Cup qualifying playoffs, advancing via aggregate over Belarus with a win and draw each. Midfielder Claire Hutton appeared in each of the U.S. Women’s National Team’s matches vs. Spain, and defender Sydney Collins subbed on for Canada in Les Rouges penalty shootout victory over Denmark last Saturday. Defender Aldana Cometti and forward Agostina Holzheier each featured in both of Argentina’s friendly contest vs. Brazil, and forward Keira Barry started and played 90 minutes for England’s U-23 squad vs. Norway Monday.

LEMA LEADING THE WAY

Forward Karlie Lema has been one of the NWSL’s top attackers since this year’s midseason break, scoring the second-most goals in league play with eight. That tally only trails golden boot leader Ashley Sanchez of the North Carolina Courage, who has recorded 13 goals since July 1. Her last score vs. Kansas City set a new club record for the most goals by a Bay FC player in a single regular season. Her eight 2026 goals surpassed the seven Asisat Oshoala scored in the club’s inaugural campaign in 2024.

HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY

Bay FC has collected two victories across five all-time meetings vs. Portland. It’s been a tightly played fixture since the club’s inaugural season, with only the most recent meeting between the two sides decided by more than one goal, a 2-0 win for the Thorns at Providence Park May 20. Bay FC shut out their foes the last time the Oregon side visited the Bay Area, a 1-0 victory June 7 of last season. Both teams have scored frequently in their five faceoffs, with the two sides combining for 15 goals, seven for Bay FC and eight for Portland.