Bay FC Under Investigation: A Deep Dive into the Allegations and Reactions
In a significant development for the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), an investigation has been launched into the technical staff of Bay FC. This was confirmed by NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman on Friday. The news, first reported by The San Francisco Chronicle, has sent ripples through the soccer community, raising questions about the culture within the team.
The Chronicle’s report highlighted that two former Bay FC players described the environment under head coach Albertin Montoya as “toxic.” Furthermore, the league was informed of a formal complaint from a player alleging “bullying” by Montoya. This revelation has sparked a broader conversation about the working conditions within the league.
Commissioner Berman addressed the situation, stating, “A review is underway by an independent third party, and we’re very confident that the system we have in place will ensure that we surface the issues that need to be addressed, and that we’ll continue to work with all of our clubs, our technical staff and our players to make sure that we’re achieving our goal of creating a safe, healthy working environment.”
This investigation comes on the heels of the NWSL’s recent $5 million settlement with the attorneys general from New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. This settlement was aimed at closing ongoing investigations and compensating athletes who were mistreated following a wave of “systemic” abuse uncovered by reports in 2022.
During a 25-minute news conference on Friday, Berman emphasized that the complaints being raised are indicative of the new system’s effectiveness. She noted that such procedures and inquiries are “commonplace in most work environments” and stressed that investigations do not imply guilt. “You want to facilitate an environment where people can come forward without a predetermined conclusion that it means that there’s been a violation, that there’s going to be discipline,” Berman explained. “Once you have an environment where people come forward and think that’s the assumption, it actually deters people from raising proactive concerns.”
Albertin Montoya, who was appointed as Bay FC’s first head coach ahead of its 2024 expansion season, is a well-respected figure in the Bay Area’s soccer community. He has decades of experience in the youth landscape and has previously worked in the NWSL and the now-defunct WPS, where he won a league title. The Chronicle reported that Montoya has a long-standing relationship with Bay FC majority owner Alan Waxman through the Mountain View Los Altos Soccer Club, a prominent youth program in the Bay Area.
Berman addressed concerns about Montoya’s hiring, stating, “I don’t actually think having familiarity or knowledge of a coach and his or her experience in the youth space is in and of itself a problem,” drawing parallels to other work environments where familiarity influences hiring decisions.
Bay FC’s inaugural season was challenging, with the team struggling initially. The situation was further complicated when general manager Lucy Rushton abruptly resigned in June, less than halfway through the season. Despite these hurdles, the team managed to improve and secure a spot in the expanded eight-team playoff field, narrowly losing in the quarterfinals.
While Berman did not explicitly state whether the investigation’s results would be made public, she did mention that decisions would be made on a case-by-case basis. “On a case-by-case basis, depending on what we learn and what the situation is that we’re navigating, we have to make a judgment call about our macro goals and the specific circumstances that we have in front of us, and that’s what we’ll continue to do,” she said.
Bay FC recently faced another controversy when they hired Graeme Abel as a head scout. Abel, who had allegations of abuse in his previous role as head coach of the University of Oregon’s women’s soccer team, resigned a week after his appointment following significant backlash. Abel had previously worked with Bay FC sporting director Matt Potter in several roles, including at U.S. Soccer.
These developments have put the spotlight on the NWSL’s efforts to create a safe and supportive environment for its players and staff. As the investigation unfolds, the league’s commitment to transparency and accountability will be closely watched by fans and stakeholders alike.
- Bay FC’s culture under scrutiny
- Investigation led by an independent third party
- Recent $5 million settlement by NWSL
- Bay FC’s challenging inaugural season
- Controversial hiring and resignation of Graeme Abel
Originally Written by: Jeff Kassouf
