Bay FC coach Albertin Montoya was cleared by the National Women’s Soccer League on Tuesday after a four-month investigation into a bullying accusation.
The league began investigating Montoya in March, after two complaints were lodged against him for treatment during the team’s inaugural 2024 season. One was cleared after it was reviewed by a third-party investigator hired by the team, while the other was sent to the league.
Tuesday, the league announced the findings of its own third-party review, which included interviews with current and former players and staff, and cleared Montoya of any violations of the NWSL Policy to Prevent and Eliminate Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying. He will not face any fines or suspensions.
However, the league did find “shortcomings” in Montoya’s communication style. The investigators made a series of recommendations — not only to Bay FC, but to the entire NWSL — to help facilitate healthy communication and add support structures.
The investigators said the league, Bay FC and Montoya have already begun taking those recommendations and will continue to address them in the future.
In a statement, Bay FC said the club is “grateful the league has identified opportunities for additional communication improvements which we are, and have been, implementing. We strive to be a player-centric club and will continue to work hard to make sure we have a supportive environment for our players.”
Montoya is scheduled to speak to reporters this afternoon.
The accusations were first made public in a March 7 report in the San Francisco Chronicle that quoted two unnamed former players who described the team culture as “toxic” in its inaugural season in 2024.
In a mid-season player survey sent out by the league, Bay FC ranked 11th out of 14 teams in overall player satisfaction.
“Most comments were focused toward the head coach, but players expressed an increased need for better communication and transparency across the board,” the report said, per the Chronicle. “Players specifically want more transparency regarding playing time and lineup decisions.
“Players again desire clear communication from the coaching staff. Some players have requested one-on-one meetings that have been denied. Players also feel that the coaching staff avoids having difficult conversations.”
After reviewing the mid-season survey, Bay FC implemented a new communications framework.
By the end of the season, a fresh survey revealed the team had improved to sixth in player satisfaction while becoming just the second NWSL expansion team to make the postseason in its first year.
It was a remarkable feat for a team that was hastily put together in time for its inaugural season.
The club hired its first general manager, Lucy Rushton, less than a year before it would play its first game, though Rushton abruptly left the team after the team went 5-9 in its first 14 games.
Her first two picks in the 2024 NWSL Draft, Savy King and Maya Doms, notably left the team after a single season. King started just 12 games and was traded to Angel City FC after the season, while Doms saw the field just once and has moved on to play professionally in Italy.
Several big-name players brought in last year saw minimal playing time and did not return for a second season.
And this spring, the club confusingly hired a scouting director, Graeme Abel, who had been accused of verbal harassment by more than a dozen former players at Oregon. Abel resigned from Bay FC less than a week after being hired.
But the club said strengthened its communications processes ahead of the 2025 season.
Montoya now meets weekly with an executive leadership coach. He also has weekly captain meetings in which the team’s leaders can relay questions or concerns. Additionally, the players have their own individual weekly check-ins with members of the coaching staff, and weekly meetings between sporting director Matt Potter and non-captain player representatives who are encouraged to bring up any issues.
Two additional staff members were hired to give players additional support off the pitch. They’re charged with helping players with professional development, such as working with charities and training as a coach, as well as providing support for health and wellness.
A mental performance coach meets twice a week with Montoya to discuss overall player emotions.
The team plans to continue evolving its communication process to ensure the players’ voices are heard.
“The Bay is the most player-centric club I’ve ever been a part of, like, without a doubt,” defender Abby Dalhkemper said recently. “The amount of attention and detail that they put into players, it’s all about us, which makes our jobs enjoyable. I’m thankful to be here and represent the Bay.”
Dahlkemper, who played every minute for the United States Women’s National Team that won the 2019 World Cup, grew up playing at Mountain View Los Altos (MVLA), where she was coached by Montoya and his wife, Erin. She called them the best coaches she’s ever had.
Bay FC is currently 4-3-6 through its first half of the season, just three points outside of a playoff spot.
