Menlo Park’s Abby Dahlkemper describes Bay FC homecoming: “It was written in the stars”
SAN JOSE – Abby Dahlkemper has quite a to-do list as a new addition to Bay FC.
The three-time NWSL champion and 2019 World Cup winner needs to learn the team’s system – something she already looked comfortable in during her first-half debut Tuesday night against Barcelona Femení – after being acquired from San Diego.
Dahlkemper, 31, is in the process of getting to know her teammates – although childhood friend Caprice Dydasco gives her at least one familiar face in the locker room.
And the Menlo Park native still has a mountain of messages to respond to from locals who are thrilled that the Silicon Valley native is back.
“I am still replying to texts,” Dahlkemper said with a smile after the friendly match.
Dahlkemper has played for seven clubs — including Manchester City — since turning pro in 2015 and will join the Bay Area’s pro soccer team in its first year of existence.
Her father, older brother and nieces were all in attendance during the 5-2 loss to Barcelona. Dahlkemper said that the entire family should be at the next home game.
“I’m happy and grateful,” Dahlkemper said. “I kept telling myself that if it was meant to be, it will happen, and here I am. So it was written in the stars, and I could not be more happy. I feel like it’s a full-circle (moment) in life.”
Before she became one of the best players in the NWSL and long before she was acquired to bolster Bay FC’s playoff push, Dahlkemper was a stellar youth soccer player.
When she wasn’t starring for Sacred Heart Prep in Atherton, where a more attack-minded Dahlkemper scored 48 goals and was named the 2010 Gatorade California soccer player of the year, the future pro was dominating on the club circuit with Dydasco.
“You know the friendship is a real one when nothing has changed over quite some time,” Dahlkemper said. “So it’s been awesome. She’s an incredible player and an incredible person.”
Dydasco is thrilled to have her childhood friend on the same team again, and was effusive in her praise.
“She comes from a lot of teams with winning mentalities, and she has won a lot of championships,” the fullback said. “She knows what it takes to win those championships.”
As excited as she was to play in her hometown, Dahlkemper repeatedly said that bringing championship experience to a team desperate for a playoff berth was her focus.
Coach Albertin Montoya, like Dahlkemper, is no stranger to success in the Bay Area. He coached FC Gold Pride in the late 2000s and coached Dahlkemper’s childhood Mountain View Los Altos youth club team.
Many years later, the two will try to lead Bay FC to the first of what they hope is many playoff berths.
“To be able to play professionally for Albertin on a professional women’s soccer team here in the Bay feels like a completely full circle moment,” Dahlkemper said. “It just feels right. ”