NWSL: Oshoala scores Bay FC’s first goal in 1-0 season-opening win over Angel City

Asisat Oshoala scored the first goal in Bay FC history as the National Women's Soccer League expansion team defeated Angel City 1-0 on Sunday.

In the 17th minute, Bay FC's Tess Boade intercepted a pass upfield and found Oshoala in the box. Oshoala found the upper right corner with her first time strike.

“My career has always been about making history, and I am very happy to be a part of the history at this club,” Oshoala said of the goal.

Bay FC acquired Oshoala from Barcelona during the offseason. The Nigerian forward has won six African Player of the Year awards and was the first African to be nominated for the Ballon d'Or in 2022. She is also the first Nigerian to score in all three Women's World Cups.

Angel City responded well in front of a sellout home crowd at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, but was repeatedly thwarted by Bay FC goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx, who made eight saves to earn the shutout in her NWSL debut.

In the 91st minute, defender Caprice Dydasco cleared a shot that went past Proulx.

Bay FC, founded by former national team players Brandi Chastain, Aly Wagner, Danielle Slaton, and Leslie Osborne, was named the NWSL's 14th team last season. The Utah Royals have also joined the league this season.

In the earlier game on Sunday, Bethany Balcer's third-minute goal was all the Seattle Reign needed to win 1-0 at home against the Washington Spirit.

The Reign earned the penalty on the first play of the game, when Balcer flicked the long ball from kickoff behind her to a streaking Jordyn Huitema, who was brought down in the box. Balcer forced Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury to dive right before calmly slotting her penalty kick into the left corner, giving Seattle the lead.

A Spirit equalizer in the 69th minute was overturned after a video review because Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey was fouled on the corner kick.

Toward the end of the game, the Spirit were reduced to ten players after a video review revealed that Kingsbury collected a ball just outside her box and received a red card.

SportsLigue