We chat with the four superstar women and co-founders behind the launch of Bay FC.
Danielle Slaton, Aly Wagner, Leslie Osborne and Brandi Chastain
There are sports legends, and then there are soccer legends. Count the women in the so-called founding four of the region’s newest professional sports franchise, Bay FC (bayfc. com), in the latter category. They have achieved glory on the pitch for the United States, including World Cup and Olympic competitions.
Now, the four enter the fray as National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) leaders. Bay FC, led by Sixth investment firm Sixth Street Partners, plays its first home game at PayPal Park on March 30 against Houston. Will women’s soccer in the region ever be the same? We sat down with Aly Wagner, Danielle Slaton, Brandi Chastain and Leslie Osborne at the stadium to get their take on everything from women’s sports to the in-game experience for fans.
ALY WAGNER
SOCCER CV: Two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup bronze medalist, 2002 MAC Hermann Trophy winner and two-time Olympic gold medalist; played at Santa Clara University, winning a national championship in 2001 with Bay FC co-founders
Please share the vision and mission behind the creation of the team.
Our goal is to make it timeless, iconic and permeate the culture of the Bay Area. During my playing days I always believed there was an opportunity to invest in women’s professional sports in the region—it took a while, but now Bay FC gives women the chance to be in the driver’s seat.
I love the new branding. What was the idea behind it?
There’s literally a bridge in our logo; it’s a symbol of bridging the gap between women’s sports and every other great pro team here. The goal is not to surpass men but to be on a level playing field. Our branding isn’t just about a sport; it’s about being part of the culture of the Bay Area.
DANIELLE SLATON
SOCCER CV: U.S. Women’s National team, silver medal at the 2000 Olympic Games and a bronze at the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup; played at Santa Clara University and serves on the board of directors for the U.S. Soccer Federation and U.S. Soccer Foundation, and is board chairwoman for the Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative
What qualities do you believe Bay FC will bring to the professional women’s soccer landscape?
We want to continue to build upon the deeply rooted soccer culture that’s part of the Bay Area. Over the years, girls and women have had access to quality coaching, and our youth soccer and college teams thrived as a result. We want to not only attract global talent, but mix that with local talent and play an attractive, entertaining style of soccer where everyone’s unique strengths can shine.
What kind of fan engagement do you have in mind?
We want everyone to be able to see themselves as a part of our club, and that goes for our players and fans alike. We’re determined to create an inclusive environment in the locker room and the stands where all feel welcomed. We’re also committed to giving back to our Bay Area community, focusing on our community pillars of access and leadership.
BRANDI CHASTAIN
SOCCER CV: U.S. National Women’s Team; two FIFA Women’s World Cups, two Olympic Golds, one Olympic Silver and a WUSA Championship; played at Santa Clara University, winning the Honda Sports Award as the nation’s top female soccer player. Founder, Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative
How will the team’s style of play encourage aspiring players?
The goal of our style of play is to dominate the ball. When you have the ball, that supports the technical side of the game. When you can possess and dominate with the ball, you can be creative and manipulate the opponent.
What this does for the young players who watch this live or on TV is to get them to want to spend time with the ball, to be free, to take risks and to be personally responsible for the value the ball has in a match. Statistically, we know each player only gets to have the ball a mere two to three minutes in total, so we better take care of it.
When we master the ball we can then share it and get it back with slick combination play. This style will then allow us to develop plays that will give us opportunity in front of goal for goal scoring moments. We have dynamic finishers that will get the crowd out of their seats. In total, we will energize the young population to dream about one day being on the big field.
What will the game-day experience be like for fans? It will begin way before entering the stadium. We want to engage all of the senses with smells, sights, touches, sounds and emotions. Families, friends, veteran fans, first-timers, tailgates, food, drink, singing, dancing, small-sided games, painted faces and bodies all in navy and poppy will march together to cheer on our Bay FC team!
The excitement when the team crosses the bridge inside the stadium to take the field for the first time—and every time thereafter—will instigate a roar that will put a question in the mind and heart of the opponent. They will know they are in for a long match. I encourage everyone to get tickets now as you won’t want to miss being part of this movement. Being a first doesn’t come around too often, so join us.
LESLIE OSBORNE
SOCCER CV: U.S. Women’s National Team, 2007 FIFA World Cup, third place, captain of NWSL teams, played at Santa Clara University’s national championship team and named nation’s top female athlete in soccer; since 2015, studio analyst for FOX’s Soccer Tonight
Who are a few of the standout players that fans should keep an eye one?
It has been a fun process watching our roster come together. Lucy Rushton, our general manager, and her team have done a great job building the foundation and adding some finishing touches to our inaugural roster.
Players to watch include Alex Loera; she has Bay Area roots with her stellar collegiate career at national champion Santa Clara University. She will be instrumental in our success on and off the pitch. Alex will be a leader for this team and sit in the center of the park; she is versatile, a ball winner, can score big goals and will be a quarterback for us.
How lucky are we to get a player like Asisat Oshoala?
She’s a wonderful person, leader and incredible footballler. She brings so much experience, success, personality and goal-scoring ability to this squad.
When building a club from ground up, this is the type of player you want to do it with. Deyna Castellanos is a world-class talent at just 24 years old—a special player who brings a wealth of experience and success already. She’s crafty and a technical player who likes to score goals and will entertain the insider SPORTING LIFE crowds. She will make an impact in the NWSL immediately.
What are the team’s short-and long-term goals?
Short term: Have a successful inaugural season. This nine-month runway will be the fastest track for an expansion team to-date, and it’s been a whirlwind. It’s been almost a four-year process, but it’s the quickest turnaround time since getting the team last year.
We want to sell out PayPal Park and create an environment in our community that is fan-and player-centric, making fans want to keep coming back for more. Our product on the field will be beautiful and entertaining to watch.
Long term: eventually become a global sports franchise and stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the best men’s sports franchises in the world. We want to attract the world’s best talent and be the launching pad for players for post-playing careers.
How can fans get involved?
Follow us on social @wearebayfc; follow our players and get to know them. Watch us every week by buying season tickets or single-game tickets at bayfc.com, and reach out if your company or community organization wants to get involved. We finally have women’s pro sports back in the Bay!
