Thompson: Bay FC would not be denied good vibes in its inaugural home game

SAN JOSE, Calif. — It was collusion, clear as day. A conspiratorial collection of events aimed at hijacking this moment. A vibe heist at PayPal Park.

The weather was antagonistic: a brisk cold complemented by ominously gray clouds, teases of rain landing like threats as the storm loomed on the horizon. Then the head referee was on one. Eventually, the Houston Dash joined in the hatin’ festivities.

But all failed. The home opener for Bay FC, the glamorous new expansion team in the National Women’s Soccer League, would not be denied its jubilation. The significance and spirit of the evening was too strong for the attempts of disruption. This was too long in the making, too expensive to waste, too meaningful to be missed.

Saturday night belonged to Bay FC. To American women’s soccer and the area so vital to its history and growth. The occasion infused by the legacy of World Cups past, by the mojo of former CyberRays glory, for the sheer Gold Pride of the region.

“When you think about that, you have to think of the Founding Four,” NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said, evoking the gravitas of Bay FC’s faces, Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton and Aly Wagner.

“This was really their vision. Their vision of bringing women’s professional soccer to the Bay…