Bay FC’s ‘Winning Everything’ Dream in Jeopardy as Record-Breaking Signing Out Due to Injury, Just Days Before NWSL Debut

The anticipation for the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League is reaching a fever pitch among soccer fans. Among the 14 domestic sides, all eyes are on the new expansion team, Bay FC. As the San Francisco Bay-based club gears up for its NWSL debut, a significant setback has emerged. Already aware of the ‘hard year’, Bay FC’s record-breaking signing has been sidelined due to injury. 

There is unfortunate news concerning Racheal Kundananji. The forward was forced to leave the field with a knee injury shortly after the hour mark in Zambia’s 4-3 victory against Ghana in Africa’s Olympic Women’s Football qualifiers on Wednesday. Kundananji, who scored the decisive goal in the first leg, was unable to walk without assistance and was visibly emotional as she made her way back to the changing room after being substituted in the 64th minute. This happened just days after she made headlines as the world’s most expensive women’s soccer player.

Bay FC had earlier finalized the acquisition of the Zambian striker from Madrid CFF, with reports suggesting that the deal set a women’s world record at €735,000 or nearly $800,000. The 23-year-old signed a contract with the NWSL side until 2027, with the option to extend it through to 2028. Kundananji scored 33 goals in 43 Liga F games for Madrid CFF. Before Los Blancos, she enjoyed stints with Eibar and Kazakhstan’s BIIK Kazygurt.

Notably, she joins less than two weeks after the arrival of Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala from Barcelona. Either way, Kundananji’s injury is quite a huge blow for Bay FC. While it’s unclear when she’ll be back, her domestic side remains optimistic for the season ahead. 

Confidence is written all over Bay FC, ahead of its NWSL debut

Venezuelan skipper and Bay FC’s attacking midfielder, Deyna Castellanos, expressed that the talented roster harbors high expectations ahead of the new season. As compiled by The Mercury News, she said, “Winning the league, winning everything, that’s the goal for all of us. We know it will be a hard year for us, but we’re here to take the challenge. We like that.” She also underlined the team’s tactical approach under coach Albertin Montoya. 

READ MORE: Which NWSL Fixtures Will Be Shown Live on Prime Video, as Per League’s $240M Media Rights Deal?

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The gaffer prefers to play out of the back with possession rather than resorting to a more freestyle approach of clearing the ball up the field to escape danger, a style that Castellanos acknowledges most of the players are not accustomed to. However, this isn’t deterring all the Bay FC stars from delivering what Albertin seeks.

Either way, Bay FC is buzzing with a lot of confidence. Let’s see how the season turns around for them.