Karlie Lema and Taylor Huff were two of the players who met with the media on Bay FC’s annual Media Day. The two off-season additions provided a unique perspective, as they’re part of the first rookie class not to go through an entry draft. Instead, they were free to sign with whomever they wanted. The two discussed that process, their goals for their rookie season, and more.

“It was definitely a different process, and one we weren’t expecting for sure,” Lema said. “I was kind of happy about it, just because I wanted to come to Bay FC.“

Lema then explained her reasoning for wanting to join one of the NWSL’s newest teams, “ I’m from the Bay, and so I was like, ‘Oh, this is an opportunity to get to play for my hometown again.’ So I think I was happy that there was no draft. I know it kind of hurt a lot of people too. Just going through the process, it was hard, hard picking the team, but I’m glad I ended up here.”

Lema was the 2024 ACC Offensive Player of the Year, starting 21 games and netting 16 goals. 

Huff was thankful for the opportunity, adding, “To be the first getting to choose is just amazing, because, like [Lema] was saying, she gets the opportunity to represent her home, where she’s from, and I think that’s so important to see just where the league is going. I love to see it.” 

While Lema’s reasoning behind joining Bay FC was obvious, Huff’s was less so. A native of Mansfield, Ohio, who attended the University of Tennessee and then Florida State, there were no clear ties for her to California. 

The 22-year-old was a three-time All-American who gained the attention of the USWNT’s boss Emma Hayes. The versatile player who spent time as both a midfielder and forward finished her time at Florida State with 33 goal contributions in 38 games, all of which she started. 

She said she wasn’t initially sold on the idea of Bay FC, considering the distance from her family and other aspects, however, her agent convinced her to give it a shot. 

“I came out here, and from the time I stepped off the plane, to anything in between, it was just the people. I think that’s a huge, important key piece. It’s like, the people make the place, and you’re surrounded by such amazing people [here].”

Sporting director Matt Potter specified why he felt they both fit with the culture Bay FC is building. 

“We felt both, both Karlie and Taylor were great fits from both a performing standpoint, which is clear to see from what they’ve accomplished in their collegiate careers. But also, we felt, more importantly, after they visited, after they spent time with different people, that it was very much a cultural fit, and that’s important.”

Potter continued, “Now they enter another stage, which is now to be a professional, and that’s a transition, and it’s up to us to manage that transition. [To] help them to be comfortable, both as people and as players, because if they don’t feel comfortable as people, will never see the best of them as an athlete. So the reality is, to see that footballer that we believe they can be, we’ve got to invest in the person.”

Both Lema and Huff mentioned how glad they are to have each other, as they have someone to lean on. Lema said that as soon as she learned that Huff had signed, she called her mother in excitement. 

Huff then added, “I’m thankful for the people who came before me who gave me the opportunity that I was able to choose.”