Bay FC exceeded all expectations in their inaugural season, now they have a simple goal in mind. 

At the team’s preseason Media Day, multiple players and sporting director Matt Potter spoke to local media. One common theme which every individual echoed, is their desire to have a playoff game at PayPal Park this upcoming season. 

“I think one of our goals is to have a home game for playoffs, a first home game, and just make it even further than what we did last year.” Said Bay FC defender Alyssa Malonson. “If we can get a championship, that’s great. I think we just want to improve our play, try to get to know each other a bit better, and just be better.”

Fellow wing-back Caprice Dydasco went into detail about why being able to play at home in the postseason is so important: “I think being home is such a big advantage.” The NWSL veteran stated. “You get to be in your own home, be with your family, and play in front of your fans. Every game at home is so special and precious to us. So that is a huge goal for us, is to be at home, because playoffs always [bring] so many nerves, but at least that brings you some comfort and confidence, being in front of your fans, being in front of your family, being your own bed. So that is a huge advantage being at home for playoffs.”

Bay FC had a historic inaugural season, becoming the second team in NWSL history to make the playoffs in their expansion year. The San Diego Wave achieved the accomplishment in 2022, however, Bay FC set the record for most points by an expansion team with 34.

Tess Boade, who bounced around between playing forward and midfield last season, summarized the team’s mindset.

“I think last year, we were a little hesitant to set specific goals because we were all new. We didn’t quite know where we fell yet, and this year, we’ve been super explicit, [a] home playoff game is our goal. I think that adds pressure, but also, pressure is a good thing, sometimes.” Boade said.

“I think we all learned patience last year and how to have perspective. We had a few spells where we were not winning, we weren’t scoring, we were getting scored on, and it was hard. I think having a lot of return[ing players] who went through that, we know the bigger picture that if we have a couple of games where we drop points or drop performances, we know, greater picture, we can still, in the end, get to our goal, which is [a] home playoff game.”

The mindset extends beyond just the veterans, as Taylor Huff, who signed from Florida State this offseason, echoed the sentiment. “Day one in the meeting, we talked about wanting to host a home playoff game, so that would be on my radar for my rookie year.”

The ultimate goal for Bay FC is crystal clear. They want to find themselves in a top-four spot this season so they can host a playoff game at PayPal Park for the first time in team history. Considering they exceeded expectations considerably last season, it’s difficult to doubt their ability to do so. With that being said, it’s going to be a very difficult goal to achieve.