How Bay FC plan to cope with Gotham’s “sensational” Esther Gonzalez | OneFootball

Esther Gonzalez (Gotham FC)

Bay FC have had a tough time in the NWSL recently, not getting the points that their performances might be thought to warrant, leaving them 12th in the standings.

And it doesn’t get easier – with third-placed Gotham FC next up to travel to San Jose this weekend, with their squad including record-breaking signing Jaedyn Shaw  in midfield and Spain striker Esther Gonzalez, both of whom scored in the last match, a 2-0 away win over San Diego Wave.

Bay FC’s head coach Albertin Montoya is well aware of the threat they pose.

“They’ve got one of the best attacking players in the league in Esther [Gonzalez],” he told a press conference on Wednesday. “She’s been, I think, sensational this season. So we’ve got to make sure that we limit her touches on the ball and then also control the midfield. They’ve got an outstanding midfield. And they’re just dangerous all over the field. They’ve got internationals at most of the positions.

“And if we can play our game and play together, that’s going to be the key – but we want to limit their midfield from getting on the ball and obviously make it as difficult as we can for Esther.”

Albertin Montoya: Bay FC play well against Gotham

Montoya is confident his side will give a good account of themselves as they look forward to playing in front of their home fans – and putting a run together that pushes them back into the play-off spots.

“Some of our best football in the last couple of seasons has been against Gotham. We haven’t gotten the result that we’ve wanted, but we’ve played really well against them.

“We don’t necessarily know why that is, we just happen to play some really good football and we’re looking forward to doing the same thing this time around and hopefully getting the points that we need to continue making a run for the play-offs.”

Bay midfielder Catherine Paulson added: “I feel like with every game, we’re always looking to get a win and we’ve been happy with how we played in a lot of games., and then in a lot of games trying to figure some things out.

“So it’s the same thing. Going into this game, we’re excited and we just want to see how we can get a win this time, but we feel good and we feel excited and ready.”