Emily Menges is officially back! Bay FC just announced their star defender has been activated from maternity leave, and she’s ready for selection this Sunday, August 30, against the Washington Spirit. This isn’t just any roster move, folks. This is a massive defensive boost for a team already feeling good.
Coates Knows What Menges Brings Back to Bay FC
Head coach Emma Coates couldn’t be more pumped, and honestly, who can blame her? Coates said she’s “looking forward to welcoming Emily back on to the active roster,” calling Menges an “intelligent player and diligent professional.” Her return isn’t just about showing up, it “reflects her hard work, commitment, and determination.” After welcoming her first child this February, Menges has clearly been putting in the work to get back to game shape. Coates is “excited to see her contribute to the team as her focus can shift from her return to play into performance.” That’s the kind of dedication you love to see in any athlete.
A Veteran Force Returns to a Strong Defense
This isn’t some rookie coming off the bench. Menges was placed on maternity leave last August 2025, but before that, she’s been an absolute rock on the backline. She joined Bay FC from Portland Thorns for their inaugural season and quickly racked up 31 appearances. We’re talking about a player who’s 16th in league history with a staggering 191 regular season appearances and 10th all time in minutes played with 16,394! Imagine that level of experience hitting the pitch. Coming off a hard-fought 1-0 shutout win over the Houston Dash, Coates’ squad is already feeling good defensively. But adding Menges back into that mix? That’s just unfair for opposing offenses. It’s a true defensive reinforcement for a team looking to solidify its form early in the season.
So get ready, because this Sunday, August 30, at Audi Field against the Washington Spirit, we could see Emily Menges back on the field. Her leadership and incredible experience are going to be huge as Bay FC looks to build on that shutout win. You know she’s going to come out firing, and opponents better be ready for it. Can’t wait to see what she brings!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply