‘Determination, unity and excellence’: How Bay FC are navigating their maiden NWSL voyage – scout report

There may still be a couple of weeks to go before the 2024 NWSL season gets underway, but the excitement among fans of each team and of the league in general is palpable as each outfit ramps up their pre-season preparations in search of potential glory.

The upcoming campaign could well be one of the most intriguing yet, with there being a noticeable increase in high-profile signings and coaching appointments across the league and two new teams to get acquainted with. Each has shown ambition in the transfer market as they seek to assemble as strong a squad as possible, but whilst Utah Royals have largely signed players already in the NWSL, Bay FC have looked elsewhere and have not been afraid to part with money to acquire their targets, with the most eye-catching arrival being that of Zambia forward Racheal Kundananji from Liga F side Madrid CFF for a world record fee in the women’s game (around £685,000).

Given the calibre of players that have been making the switch to San Jose, California (where Bay will play their home games), it has become increasingly clear that they could be a team to watch this season. This tactical analysis will show why by highlighting the key qualities of some of their arrivals. The scout report will detail what each adds to their tactics as individuals and how they will fit into the wider blueprint that the team set out when they first came into existence.

Alex Loera

When Bay FC announced their first-ever signing, there were many who speculated over which area of the team they had looked to fill first. In the end, the answer was a defensive midfielder in Alex Loera, who joined from Kansas City Current, and there are a number of reasons that she could play a key role in their maiden campaign.

When watching her play, what becomes immediately clear is just how strong a competitor she is and what she offers her team both with and without the ball, with her an effective shield for the back line and someone who can launch attacks from inside her own third.

It is only in the last year that she has evolved into the midfield role, though, with her starting out as a centre-back, and yet it is not a change that has been difficult for her to manage. Instead, she has relished the additional freedom that it has afforded her, with her tending to move up the pitch much more as she looks to involve herself in building attacks.