Bay FC 1-0 over the Reign in first trip to Seattle

Seattle Reign FC 0
Bay FC 1
September 29, 2024
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
NWSL Regular Season

Paul Kahl Photos

Seattle Reign FC hosted Bay FC in Seattle at Lumen Field on Sunday afternoon.

With few matches and points left to take to make the postseason, both clubs were in must win mode. Dropping any more points at this stage is simply not something that can be made up later. Seattle has absolutely no room for error, coming in five points below the line having dropped all six possible points in recent matches after clawing their way back into it with a seven match unbeaten run. Bay has some wiggle room left as they are in a tight race for the final spot.

For Bay FC, it is the first trip up the coast to Seattle in their expansion season.

Neither side dominated the early going.

Both created chances in a fairly end to end first half. The chances generated mostly came in the form of wide service and corner kicks. Quality chances were rare. Most of the crosses were deflected away and good looks on goal remained scarce.

The opening goal would not come from the run of play. Bay would break through on a penalty in the 27th minute. Asisat Oshoala converted from the spot.

The goal enabled Bay to slow down, taking more time on their counters. The goal also put even more pressure on the Seattle offense. A lack of goals in recent matches had taken the hosts from the cusp of the playoffs to fighting to still have a chance down the stretch.

Jordyn Bugg would come on for an injured Lauren Barnes to begin the second half for the Reign. Unfortunately for Seattle, the penalty had played out while Barnes was off the pitch and the Reign were playing with ten.

Bay FC proved to be able to absorb and counter. The Bay forwards are particularly dangerous on the counter, enabling their middle and back lines to hold shape in transition. With a goal buffer, the steadiness in the back of a veteran defender like Abby Dahlkember and goalkeeper like Katelyn Rowland was a significant factor.

Seattle would push hard for leveling the match. Emeri Adames, Nérilia Mondésir, and Jaelin Howell all came on as the match progressed with fresh legs in the attack. Howell would manage a late crack on goal in stoppage, but in the end it was not to be for the home side.

The three points is massive for Bay’s chances of making the playoffs as an expansion side. Seattle is not yet eliminated, but the loss seems to have sealed their 2024 fate.

BOX

Scoring Summary

SEA: None
BAY: Oshoala (P) – 27’

Discipline

SEA: None
BAY: Dydasco (Caution – 58′)

Lineups

SEA: GK Dickey, D Glas (Holmes 68’), D Barnes (c) (Bugg 46’), D McClernon, M Quinn, M Athens (Howell 86’), M Ji, F Latsko, F Huitema, F King (Adames 68’), F Crnogorčević (Mondesir 79’)
Unused substitutes: GK Ivory, M James-Turner, M McCammon, M Mercado

Total Shots: 13 (Ji – 3)
Shots on Goal: 3 (Three tied with – 1)
Fouls: 4 (Four tied with– 1)
Offsides: 0
Corner Kicks: 8
Saves: 5 (Dickey – 5)

BAY: GK Rowland, D Dydasco, D Menges (c), D Dahlkemper, D Moreau, M Pickett, M Bailey, M Boade (Castellanos 88’), F Hocking (Hill 57’), F Oshoala, F Kundananji
Unused substitutes: D Beattie, M Doms, F Princess, M Shepard, M Conti, D Brewster, GK Silkowitz

Total Shots: 11 (Kundananji, Oshoala– 4)
Shots on Goal: 6 (Kundananji – 3)
Fouls: 9 (Dydasco, Kundananji – 2)
Offsides: 0
Corner Kicks: 4
Saves: 3 (Rowland– 3)

Referee: Elton Garcia
Assistant Referee 1: Jennifer Garner
Assistant Referee 2: A. Max Smith
4th Official: Patricia McCracken
VAR: Alyssa Nichols
AVAR: Joshua Patlak