Bay FC signs NWSL champion Kelli Hubly, but will she be the leader they truly need? | OneFootball

Bay FC continued to build its roster for the 2025 season and added an important name to its defense. Two-time NWSL Champion Kelli Hubly inked a two-year contract to arrive with the mission of bringing experience and stability into the defensive unit.

This wasn't a market signing; this was a statement that Bay FC wants to go toe-to-toe. That begs the question: was it the right move for the club, or just a bet on her résumé?

A defender with winning DNA

You can count on one hand the number of players in the NWSL who could boast a career as consistent as what Kelli Hubly has built over eight seasons with Portland Thorns FC: two league titles, one NWSL Challenge Cup, and a NWSL Shield. Her track record speaks volumes for itself.

The defender made 129 appearances for the Thorns and was central in a backline that, over time, became one of the most solid in the league. Her numbers reinforce this: 58 clean sheets during her time at the club.

Along with experience, Hubly offers consistency. In the last campaign, she took part in 24 matches, playing more than 2,000 minutes of action, representing one of the defensive pillars for Portland.

Why did Bay FC bet on Hubly?

It totally does make sense with a player that has Kelli Hubly's background coming aboard for a club still finding their identity in NWSL, and head coach Albertin Montoya expressed at the time the signing happened she was brought for her experience.

The phrase "she has the championship mentality we are looking for" was not said by accident. Bay FC wants to be competitive from the very beginning, and having a player used to winning may influence the whole structure of the team, in and out of the field.

Moreover, Hubly arrives to lead a sector that needs stability. Defense is always a basic column on which to build for any team that wants to be successful, and Bay FC seems to have understood that by bringing in someone who knows the pressure of playing at the highest level.

Does Hubly still have much to offer?

At 29 years old, Kelli Hubly is still at her physical and technical peak. At the same time, experience and positioning awareness are not secondary features, above all for a defender. In Portland Thorns, she was fundamental to defensive balance and grew every season. She could therefore be a key piece for Bay FC, especially in a year when the club needs to establish itself among the top teams in the league.