SAN JOSE — Bay FC had two players sent off for the first time in its three-year history in a 1-0 loss to the Chicago Stars on Sunday at PayPal Park.
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Centerback Aldana Cometti and goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz both received straight red cards for denying clear goal-scoring opportunities, and 2019 World Cup and 2024 Olympic champion Mallory Swanson took advantage with a goal in the 70th minute.
It was the first goal since July 6, 2024, for the Chicago forward, who was making her second appearance since giving birth in November.
It was a fitting scoreline for a game that featured the two lowest-scoring teams in the NWSL. Chicago (3-8-0, 9 points) had been shut out seven times in its last eight games, while Bay FC (3-5-2, 11 points) had scored just twice in six games.
Cometti, the Argentina national team captain, received a red card in the 12th minute when she tripped Jordyn Hutiema just outside the box on a 1-on-1 break.
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Despite the disadvantage in numbers, Bay outshot Chicago 8-4 until the second red card. The hosts even appeared to take the lead on a goal by Taylor Huff in the 37th minute, but the goal was overturned on review when Cristiana Girelli was ruled to be offside during the buildup.
Chicago finally broke through after Silkowitz jumped up and swatted at the ball from outside her goal box to prevent a breakaway in the 65th minute.
It was the second time this season that an NWSL team had gone down to nine players, and it took just five minutes for Swanson to find the winner.
It was Bay’s last home game in eight weeks due to the international break.
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