Assisat Oshoala benched, Gift Monday features as new NWSL milestone set

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) celebrated a historic milestone on Saturday as a record-breaking crowd packed into Oracle Park to watch Bay FC host the Washington Spirit.

The sellout crowd of 40,061 fans not only set a new NWSL record but also marked the highest attendance for a professional women’s league sporting event in the United States.

Among the notable players in the match, Nigerian star Gift Monday featured for the Washington Spirit, while her compatriot, Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala, was benched and did not feature for Bay FC.

The Washington Spirit started strong, racing to a 3-0 lead. However, Bay FC mounted a determined comeback, scoring twice to create a tense and exciting finish.

The Spirit ultimately held on for a 3-2 victory, securing a crucial win on the road.

The previous standalone NWSL attendance record was set just last year when 35,038 fans watched Bay FC face the Chicago Stars at Wrigley Field, a testament to the club's growing popularity and impact on the league.

Despite the loss, Bay FC will look to build on the momentum generated by the historic crowd.

The club's next fixture is a road game against Angel City FC on September 1, followed by a home match against KC Current on September 6.