Asisat Oshoala made history by scoring the first goal for Bay FC as they triumphed over Angel City in their National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) debut, securing a 1-0 victory.
In the 17th minute of the match, Bay FC’s Tess Boade intercepted a pass and swiftly delivered the ball to Oshoala inside the box. With remarkable precision, Oshoala struck the ball into the upper right corner, marking a significant milestone for the newly established team.
Expressing her delight, Oshoala stated, “My career has always been about making history, and I am very happy to be a part of the history at this club.”
Acquired from Barcelona during the offseason, Oshoala boasts an impressive resume, having been honored as African Player of the Year six times. She made history as the first African player nominated for the Ballon d’Or in 2022 and remains the first Nigerian to score in three Women’s World Cups.
Despite Angel City’s spirited performance in front of a packed home crowd at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Bay FC goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx proved formidable, making eight crucial saves to secure a clean sheet in her NWSL debut. Defender Caprice Dydasco also played a pivotal role by clearing a shot off the line in the dying moments of the game.
Bay FC, founded by former national team players Brandi Chastain, Aly Wagner, Danielle Slaton, and Leslie Osborne, emerged as the NWSL’s 14th team last year. The team’s inaugural victory marks a significant milestone in their journey.
In another match on Sunday, the Seattle Reign clinched a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit, with Bethany Balcer’s early goal proving decisive. Despite a spirited effort from the Spirit, a potential equalizer was overturned after a video review. Towards the end of the match, the Spirit were reduced to 10 players following a red card decision against goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury.
