Bay FC's Ambitious Goal: Revolutionizing American Soccer, According to Jen Beattie

Bay FC, although a new addition to the NWSL, is not just here to fill in the numbers. Recent signing Jen Beattie is determined to make a significant impact and "change the face of American soccer."

Beattie, a respected figure in women's soccer, made the decision to leave Arsenal and join Bay FC in February. She had successful stints at Arsenal from 2009-2013 and again from 2019 until her departure earlier this year. In between, she also played for Montpellier, Manchester City, and Melbourne City.

Former Scotland international expressed her love for Arsenal but also has big ambitions for Bay FC, a team based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Bay FC was co-founded by four US women’s soccer legends - Aly Wagner, Danielle Slaton, Brandi Chastain, and Leslie Osborne, with financial support from global investment firm Sixth Street.

Bay FC has also signed a number of well-known international players for their first season. This includes Zambian Racheal Kundananji, who was signed for a reported world record fee of $787,000, Nigerian star Asisat Oshoala, and Mexican forward Scarlett Camberos.

Beattie acknowledges the important role of the four founding ex-players in setting the club's culture and influencing the behavior they expect from Bay players, both during games and in their personal lives.

"The style of football they wanted to play was exactly what I was looking for," Beattie shared with CNN Sport's Amanda Davies. "It was a perfect fit for me. It didn't take long for me to make up my mind... Everyone dreams of winning trophies and achieving success."

Jen Beattie joined Bay FC from Arsenal in February.

Jen Beattie joined Bay FC from Arsenal in February.

Ed Szczepanski/USA Today Sports/Reuters

Bay FC is not the only new team in the NWSL looking to make a splash. In 2020, Angel City was established in Los Angeles with a star-studded ownership group. This group includes Natalie Portman, Eva Longoria, Serena Williams, and Billie Jean King, all supporting the majority female-owned team.

Bay FC will kick off their first game against their interstate rival, who placed fifth in the NWSL last season. The match will start at 4:30 p.m. local time (7:30 p.m. ET) on Sunday at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

Beattie mentioned, "Every team is a rivalry for us, but Angel City has been impressive in their first few seasons as an expansion team. We have great respect for what they have achieved as a club."

When I found out we were playing Angel City for our season opener, I thought, 'Wow, this is huge!' It's going to be an exciting game to kick off my time in the league.

Beattie mentions that the head coach of Bay FC, Albertin Montoya, is looking to introduce a fresh style to American soccer. He prefers a game where we keep the ball close, focusing on short passes. Montoya's influence comes from the Spanish way of playing.

New fans to the team and the sport shouldn’t worry too much about first-game nerves. Beattie praised the new squad's rapid progress, saying, "I’ve been amazed at how quickly people can bond."

Bay FC midfielder Tess Boade dribbles in a preseason game against Angel City.

Bay FC midfielder Tess Boade dribbles in a preseason game against Angel City.

Abe Arredondo/USA Today Sports/Reuters

Beattie, known for her memorable headers and strong defense, has left a lasting impact at Arsenal with 166 appearances and 33 goals.

In the English Women's Super League title race, Beattie expressed her loyalty as an Arsenal fan and hopes to see her former club win the trophy at the end of the season. However, Arsenal's 3-1 loss to league leaders Chelsea has made their title chances more challenging.

It may bring some comfort to Arsenal fans to know that Beattie is still getting used to saying “they” instead of “we” when talking about her former club. She mentioned that she stays connected with her friends there through WhatsApp and FaceTime.

Beattie also shared, “I still have some of the greatest friends in the world in that team … I make sure to keep in touch with them as often as possible.”

Eyes are now on Bay FC and its talented roster to see if they can pull off an upset in the NWSL.

Beattie, who is 32 years old, expressed confidence in her abilities, stating, "I still feel like I have a lot more playing left in me."

Editor's P/S:

Bay FC's ambitious entry into the NWSL is a testament to the growing popularity and competitiveness of women's soccer in the United States. The team's star-studded roster and the vision of its founding members have set high expectations for the expansion team. The presence of experienced players like Jen Beattie, who has a proven track record of success in Europe, adds credibility to Bay FC's aspirations.

The team's focus on a possession-based style of play, inspired by the Spanish tradition, is an exciting prospect for fans of attacking and technical soccer. The rapid bonding among the players, as noted by Beattie, suggests that the team has the potential to quickly develop chemistry and fluidity on the field. As the NWSL season gets underway, Bay FC will face stiff competition from established teams like Angel City, but their determination and the quality of their squad make them a force to be reckoned with.