International Friendly Match Preview: Bay FC vs. FC Barcelona ...
Bay FC takes on FC Barcelona Femení in an International Friendly on Tuesday, August 27 at 7:00 p.m. at PayPal Park. The match will be broadcast locally on NBC Sports California and streamed nationally on ESPN+. The match marks the third visit to the U.S. for Barcelona, and kicks off their 2024 U.S. Tour, where they’ll stop at PayPal Park before heading on to the Cotton Bowl in Texas to face Dallas Trinity FC of the USL Super League.
In the 2023-24 season, FC Barcelona Femení maintained a perfect season where they won Liga F, the Copa de la Reina, the Supercopa de España, and UEFA Women’s Champions League, their second consecutive Champions League title. The 2024-25 Liga F season begins in September, and this friendly represents an important opportunity for Barcelona to prepare for the challenges of a new season and integrate new faces into the squad. They’ll be bringing many familiar stars, including Ballon d’or winners Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí, as well as new and exciting stars like Ewa Pajor, Ellie Roebuck and Kika Nazareth. They’ll also bring a new look with coach Pere Romeu, who has taken over the Barça side after the departure of Jonatan Giráldez for NWSL’s Washington Spirit.
For Bay FC, the match marks the chance to face elite talent while sharpening their skills to make push for the playoffs as the NWSL season resumes. This will be Asisat Oshoala’s first time facing her former teammates since coming to the NWSL to join Bay FC in March of this year. Several Bay FC players are familiar with the challenge of facing FC Barcelona Femení, including Racheal Kundananji. During her time at Real Madrid CFF, she scored a brace against Barcelona on May 21, 2023 to hand them their first league match loss in two years. Defender Jen Beattie also scored a hat trick against Barcelona in a Champions League match while playing for Arsenal. In 2021, Deyna Castellanos converted her penalty to help lift her then-club Atlético Madrid Femenino to victory over Barcelona to move on in the Supercopa de España, which Atleti eventually won. Bay FC’s newest signing Abby Dahlkemper will recognize many faces on the pitch from her international play with the USWNT, including when she played all 90 minutes in a 2-1 victory over Alexia Putellas-led Spain in the Round of 16 of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Watch: Fans can tune into Bay FC vs. FC Barcelona on NBC Sports California and on ESPN+.
Item of the Match: Shop exclusive Bay FC x FC Barcelona merch items, available only in-stadium on August 27. Plus, check out the brand-new Poppy Collection!
Lineups and score updates: Follow Bay FC on Instagram and X for all the latest match updates, including the Starting XI and goals scored.
Next Match: The NWSL regular season continues with Bay FC traveling to face Portland Thorns FC on Friday, August 30 at 7:00 p.m. The match will be streamed on Prime Video.
