{"id":2053101,"date":"2025-09-27T00:16:03","date_gmt":"2025-09-27T00:16:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2053101"},"modified":"2025-09-27T00:16:03","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T00:16:03","slug":"bay-fc-hosts-utah-royals-in-second-straight-home-match-bay-fc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/bay-fc-hosts-utah-royals-in-second-straight-home-match-bay-fc\/","title":{"rendered":"Bay FC Hosts Utah Royals in Second Straight Home Match\u00a0| Bay FC"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Bay FC (4W-7D-10L, 19pts, 12th place) plays its second straight home match this weekend as the Utah Royals (4W-6D-11L, 18pts, 13th place) visit PayPal Park in a rematch of the 2025 NWSL Season opener. Kickoff is set for Saturday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. PT<\/a>. It\u2019s Bay FC\u2019s penultimate regular season home match of the 2025 season, and fans are encouraged to secure their tickets now at BayFC.com\/tickets<\/a>. The match will serve as the nightcap of an NWSL doubleheader on ION<\/a> with Maura Sheridan and Jordan Angeli on the call.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bay FC looks to remain unbeaten for a third consecutive week. Last weekend the club came from behind against a strong Gotham FC side at PayPal Park, earning a point<\/a> following a second half strike by forward Racheal Kundananji off the bench. The club\u2019s backline shined, neutralizing the visitors\u2019 deep attack as loanee defender Brooklyn Courtnall made her first career NWSL start alongside defender Sydney Collins. With each side this week on a strong run of form, it\u2019s sure to be a competitive contest at PayPal Park as both aim for a late surge in the standings.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

PLAYERS TO WATCH<\/strong>\u00a0
Bay FC defender Alyssa Malonson: <\/strong>Malonson put in a stellar shift in Sunday, helping the club stay organized behind the ball while influencing the game repeatedly in the high areas. She finished the evening with a match-high three chances created, including the assist on Kundananji\u2019s 69th minute score, and seven entries into the final third. On the defensive end, she tallied nine successful duels and seven interceptions to help keep Gotham FC from finding a tempo throughout the match.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Utah Royals FC forward Mina Tanaka: <\/strong>Tanaka took home the league\u2019s honor for Goal of the Week this week for an impressive strike from distance on the volley. She also tallied an assist on her side\u2019s second score of the night, as midfielder Janni Thomsen found the net. Following the summer transfer of midfielder Aly Sentnor to Kansas City, the Japanese international has featured more prominently in the club\u2019s attack alongside midfielder Paige Monaghan.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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    ACKNOWLEDGED FOR EXCELLENCE<\/strong>
    Kundananji\u2019s 69th minute score vs. Gotham FC earned leaguewide praise, netting a nomination for the NWSL\u2019s weekly Goal of the Week award. Just moments after entering the match, the Zambian took a layoff from Malonson, turned inside, and let loose a curling strike from distance out of the reach of the opposing goalkeeper and into the back of the net. It was her fourth score this season, second in as many matches, and third in five games dating to August 23. Kundananji now has a club-record nine career scores in the NWSL with Bay FC.\u00a0<\/p>\n