There is a reason Why the Women's team of FC Barcelona won it all and they showed it last night against Bay FC trying to keep up in an international friendly.
FC Barcelona and Bay FC on the action at PayPal Park Tuesday night, Photo courtesy by Rocha Multimedia
SAN JOSE, CA — Bay FC held an international friendly against the best women's team in the world, FC Barcelona. this friendly was highly anticipated because FC Barcelona returned to American soil since 2021, and what a way to do it against one of the newest clubs of NWSL.
Bay FC failed to deliver the three points following a disappointing loss against Utah last Saturday, this game allowed the Northern California team to test themselves for any room for improvement. The game was filled with excitement and emotions since some of the current Bay FC roster once wore the FC Barcelona shirt.
Before the game, the local team was active in the transfer market sending Lysianne Proulx to Juventus and Abby Dahlkemper from the San Diego Wave. Dahlkemper did not lose time and debuted the same night against the European powerhouse.
The first half of the game delivered what the 14,187 people in attendance wanted, back-to-back action from both clubs, Bay FC opened up the scoresheet in the 17 minute of the game as former FC Barcelona and Bay FC star, Asisat Oshoala notched the first one of the night intercepting a pass from Gemma as she gives it away.
In the 22, wide open inside of the box Kika Nazareth opened the first one for Barcelona with an assist that fell right into place leaving no chance for Rowland to prevent it and keep the Barcelona scoresheet to zero.
In the 32, Tess Boade controlled the ball with the chest and fired a shot, but gets deflected and bounced back to Oshoala who got her double for the night. Bay FC during the first half demonstrated that they can compete and highlight a great level.
Asisat Oshoala called it a night and was subbed along with Rachel Hill after the second goal, Deyna Castellanos and Caroline Conti came onto the pitch, and moments after FC Barcelona evened up with a 2-2 goal by Caroline Graham.
Af the half, the game had a sense of feeling that the victory was on Bay FC's side. Substitutions were made and almost the 21 women's roster found minutes of action while FC Barcelona made changes as well, but their starters remained on the bench.
In the 66, a corner kick and headshot by Esmee Brugts put the lead for FC Barcelona up by 1 making it a 3-2. Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati made their debut on the pitch of PayPal Park and with their contributions and quality they were going to try to control the poise of the game.
For the remainder of the game, Bay FC had chances but was unable to convert and demonstrate or replicate the excellent first half Bay FC had.
In the 90th minute of the game, Claudia Pina fires a long shot at goal putting the fourth goal for the Spanish side. In the 93rd Aitana Bonmati assisted Patri Guijarro to seal the fifth and final goal of the night finishing the night strong. FC Barcelona has not lost any of its preseason games so far.
Even though the result did not favor the local Bay FC team, it showed the amount of quality NWSL soccer has and proved that Bay FC has heart and shows up to battle against any team. Barcelona players admitted the quality that women's soccer has in the United States and were left speechless to see the great amount of enthusiasm and support that women's soccer has in the Bay Area region.
Bay FC goes on the road to Portland for a Friday night showdown while Barcelona goes to the Lone Star State to play against Dallas Trinity FC to conclude their commitments in the United States and make the way back to Europe to kick off the Women's European Football campaign.
