{"id":6127,"date":"2026-08-02T15:38:22","date_gmt":"2026-08-02T15:38:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=6127"},"modified":"2026-08-02T15:38:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-02T15:38:22","slug":"coates-bay-fc-must-respond-to-pattern-from-last-two-losses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=6127","title":{"rendered":"Coates: Bay FC must respond to pattern from last two losses"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div>\n<p>SAN JOSE \u2013\u00a0Bay FC\u2019s 3-2 loss to the Seattle Reign Saturday at PayPal Park followed a familiar script: another early deficit and another missed opportunity to gain ground in the NWSL playoff race.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=6125\">Sunnyvale updates 72-hour parking ordinance to address public safety concerns<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Four days after conceding in the second minute of a 1-0 loss to visiting Gotham FC, Bay FC spotted Seattle two goals in the opening 10 minutes before rallying, only to surrender a late winner.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe just can\u2019t start games like that,\u201d Bay coach Emma Coates said. \u201cThey\u2019re already tough games in this league, and then to start this game going 2-0 down, the Gotham game going 1-0 down, you\u2019re almost making the job harder than it already is. That\u2019s the biggest lesson over this week.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The defeat capped a stretch of three losses in nine days and left Bay FC (5-9-3, 18 points) in 14th place in the 16-team league, five points outside the final playoff spot. The club returns to action Aug. 9 with a road match against last-place Chicago.<\/p>\n<p>Jess Fishlock, Wales\u2019 all-time leading scorer, scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute as Seattle (7-7-2, 23 points) spoiled a breakout night from Bay FC midfielder Hannah Bebar.<\/p>\n<p>Bebar scored her first professional goal and added her second career assist as Bay FC erased an early two-goal deficit. But the comeback ultimately fell short, dropping Bay to 2-5-2 at home. Bay FC remains the only NWSL team averaging fewer than one point per home match this season.<\/p>\n<p>Seattle forward Maddie Dahlien created both early goals down the left side. In the fifth minute, her cross into the box was redirected by Mia Fishel for the opening goal. Five minutes later, Dahlien doubled the advantage herself after finding space behind Bay\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n<p>The sluggish start mirrored Wednesday\u2019s defeat, leaving Bay FC once again chasing the game before many fans had settled into their seats.<\/p>\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cI think we\u2019ve started the last two games quite slow and passive,\u201d Coates said. \u201cIt feels like once we\u2019ve been punched in the face, we\u2019re sort of able to turn it on\u2026 The next step for us is being consistent throughout 90 minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Bay FC\u2019s response, however, showcased the promise of one of the league\u2019s youngest teams.<\/p>\n<p>After being shut out in its previous two matches, Bebar ignited the comeback in the 13th minute. The second-year midfielder, signed out of Duke before the 2025 season, drove forward with space in front of her before unleashing a shot from outside the penalty area into the upper corner for her first NWSL goal.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m not the type of player who is necessarily going to be shooting from that range,\u201d Bebar said. \u201cBut I saw an opportunity, and I just went for it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=6123\">Local chef brings wide sphere of influences to downtown San Jose\u2019s Str\u0101ta<\/a><\/p>\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Bay thought it had tied the game just 10 minutes later when Dorian Bailey found the net, but the goal was overturned after video review because Bailey was ruled offside in the leadup. It marked the latest in a string of VAR decisions that have frustrated the club this season; an offside call also negated an equalizer Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI honestly don\u2019t understand the rules anymore,\u201d Coates said. \u201cWe\u2019ve had three goals this season ruled back by, frankly, decisions that are so minute, and that is killing the game.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Bay FC finally drew level in the 75th minute on a well-worked set piece. Bebar slipped a perfectly weighted pass to Keira Barry, who finished inside the far post for her second goal of the season.<\/p>\n<p>Barry said the play reflected the freedom Coates has encouraged throughout the season.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have a lot of creative players, and the coaching staff tells us to be creative and do the things that we see,\u201d Barry said.<\/p>\n<p>The momentum lasted only 10 minutes.<\/p>\n<p>Fishlock slipped behind Bay\u2019s back line in the 85th minute, received a pass and beat goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz one-on-one to restore Seattle\u2019s lead for good.<\/p>\n<p>It was Seattle\u2019s first win over Bay FC in five meetings, and it spoiled what was arguably Bebar\u2019s finest performance as a professional.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m so proud of (Bebar) this season,\u201d Coates said. \u201cShe\u2019s really stepping into form. Her decision-making on the ball is unreal, she\u2019s got so many different tools, and I thought today she was outstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Despite the loss, Bebar believes Bay FC\u2019s performances are trending in the right direction.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think there\u2019s growing pains, with the club in its third year (and) a new coaching staff,\u201d Bebar said. \u201cAt the end of the day, we\u2019re building something great here, and I think it\u2019s going to take time, but we\u2019re for sure onto something good.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=6121\">\u2018I told you that ain\u2019t my girl\u2019: Oakland man gets 15 years for fatal drive-by shooting<\/a><\/p>\n<p>But Bay FC is running out of time if it hopes to make the playoffs this season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hannah Bebar&#8217;s breakout couldn&#8217;t lead Bay FC past Seattle Reign as Bay conceded early again in third straight loss<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6126,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6127","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - 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