As a massive USWNT fan and lifelong San Jose Earthquake supporter (who has been supporting the team through some of the toughest times in recent years), Bay FC has revitalized my energy on the love of domestic soccer and immediately had an impact on the community.

Community Growth and Engagement

NWSL's newest team, Bay FC, significantly enhances community growth and engagement in the Bay Area. A professional women's team sparks a new energy into the community, fostering a sense of pride and togetherness, which has filled a gap that was getting increasingly bigger. Youth soccer programs, already popular in the region, benefit from increased visibility and support, encouraging more young girls to participate in the sport. Local businesses are seeing a boost in revenue from game-day activities, merchandise sales, and increased tourism. Additionally, the presence of Bay FC drives community initiatives focused on equality and empowerment, inspiring the next generation. The social and economic ripple effects of Bay FC contribute to a more vibrant, cohesive community in San Jose and the Bay Area.

Plus it brings some of our nations biggest names here to San Jose. For under $40 I've been able to see a few Sophia Smith goals, Naomi Girma (SJ Local), and Becky Sauerbrunn.

Leveraging Top College Programs

The Bay Area is home to some of the nation's top college soccer programs, including Stanford, Santa Clara, and San Jose State. A professional women's team now provides a clear pathway for the nation's top college athletes to stay local, keeping talent within the region. These programs already produce high-caliber athletes, as evidenced by Stanford's multiple NCAA championships and Santa Clara's strong soccer tradition. Collaboration between the professional team and these colleges could lead to enhanced training facilities, joint community outreach programs, and increased scouting opportunities. The synergy between college programs and a professional team will elevate the standard of soccer in the Bay Area to an even higher level than it already is. This relationship would benefit the athletes and increase local interest and investment in women's sports.

Notable Alumni:

Stanford: Julie Foudy, Kelley O'Hara, Cristen Press, Andi Sullivan, Tierna Davidson, Sophia Smith, Naomi Girma, Catarina Macario, Jane Campbell, Ali Riley, Maya Doms, and more.

Santa Clara: Brandi Chastain*, Julie Ertz, Sofia Huerta, Alex Loera, Leslie Osborne*, Maria Sanchez, Danielle Slaton*, Aly Wagner*, and more.

Current BAY FC Players

Founders of Bay FC*

Competitive Pressure on the San Jose Earthquakes

The immediate impact that Bay FC has had at PayPal Park has been massive, leading to some of the highest attendance records within NWSL this season. This will inevitably put competitive pressure on the San Jose Earthquakes. The Earthquakes will need to match the energy and community engagement brought by the new team to maintain their fan base and community trust. Especially when the Oakland Roots are having a similar impact just less than an hour North. This competition could lead to improvements in the Earthquakes' outreach programs, stadium experience, and overall team performance. Additionally, the presence of another professional team could foster healthy rivalry in terms of operations and funding, boosting attendance and media coverage for both teams. The Earthquakes might also collaborate with the women's team on joint initiatives, benefiting from shared resources and fan engagement strategies. Ultimately, the pressure to step up could lead to a richer, more dynamic soccer culture in the Bay Area, benefiting all fans and stakeholders involved.

… all that being said, knowing nothing will change under the reign of John Fischer as an owner, but that's for a different discussion.

Bay FC and Oakland Roots are starting to show a much-needed boost of energy here in the Bay Area. So far in this inaugural season, Bay FC's record has had little impact on the fan turnout and should provide incredible momentum going into next season.