Bay FC’s first real rivalry night of 2026 ended with its first loss of the season.
Angel City FC went into PayPal Park and took a 3-1 win Saturday, jumping out early and holding off Bay’s second-half response to stay unbeaten through two matches. Bay FC, coming off an opening-week win over expansion Denver Summit, dropped to 1-0-1.
Angel City’s tone was set almost immediately. In the 4th minute, Kennedy Fuller played a long ball into space for Sveindís Jónsdóttir, who ran onto it and finished to make it 1-0. Bay had moments to answer — including a dangerous free kick sequence from Taylor Huff — but Angel City’s next break punished again.
The visitors doubled the lead in the 32nd when Jónsdóttir drove into the box and slid a pass across to Gisele Thompson for a one-touch finish at the back post. Bay went to halftime down two, needing a different second-half start to pull the match back into reach.
Instead, Angel City landed the dagger first. In the 53rd, Evelyn Shores delivered a corner to the near post and Jónsdóttir angled in a header for her second goal of the night and a 3-0 lead. According to the Associated Press, Jónsdóttir finished with two goals and an assist, setting an Angel City club record for three goal contributions in a match.
Bay’s response came quickly and it came through a new-name linkup. In the 56th minute, Cristiana Girelli—making her first NWSL start and debut—combined with Huff on a give-and-go, and Huff bounced a finish off the inside of the post to get Bay on the board.
But Bay couldn’t find the second goal to make it frantic late. Angel City’s recap credited their group with managing the game after the 3-1 moment, and Bay head coach Emma Coates pointed to giveaways and defensive transition moments as areas Bay didn’t execute well enough, while still noting there were glimpses of what the team can be as it grows.
The closing minutes also brought a setback for Bay’s next match. Huff was sent off in stoppage time after picking up two yellow cards, including a second caution at 90+7’.
Saturday’s match was played at PayPal Park with an announced attendance of 10,299. Angel City improved to 2-0-0, their first time opening a season with consecutive wins, and the club noted it has seven goals through two matches after a 4-0 opening-week win over Chicago. The AP also highlighted that Angel City’s road win snapped a long stretch without an away victory, and noted defender Savy King made her first start since undergoing heart surgery after a 2025 cardiac event.
Bay FC will now look to reset on the road, traveling to face the North Carolina Courage on March 28, a match Bay says will mark the club’s debut on Victory+ as its streaming partner.
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