Bay FC coach Albertin Montoya cleared by NWSL after bullying investigation

Bay FC coach Albertin Montoya was cleared by the Nationwide Girls’s Soccer League on Tuesday after a four-month investigation right into a bullying accusation.

The league started investigating Montoya in March, after two complaints have been lodged in opposition to him for therapy through the staff’s inaugural 2024 season. One was cleared after it was reviewed by a third-party investigator employed by the staff, whereas the opposite was despatched to the league.

Tuesday, the league introduced the findings of its personal third-party assessment, which included interviews with present and former gamers and employees, and cleared Montoya of any violations of the NWSL Coverage to Stop and Eradicate Office Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying. He won’t face any fines or suspensions.

Nevertheless, the league did discover “shortcomings” in Montoya’s communication model. The investigators made a collection of suggestions — not solely to Bay FC, however to the complete NWSL — to assist facilitate wholesome communication and add assist constructions.

The investigators mentioned the league, Bay FC and Montoya have already begun taking these suggestions and can proceed to deal with them sooner or later.

In an announcement, Bay FC mentioned the membership 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 talk to reporters this afternoon.

Bay FC’s head coach Albertin Montoya watches the staff earlier than a recreation in opposition to Angel Metropolis FC on the PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Could 17, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group) 

The accusations have been first made public in a March 7 report within the San Francisco Chronicle that quoted two unnamed former gamers who described the staff tradition as “toxic” in its inaugural season in 2024.

In a mid-season participant survey despatched out by the league, Bay FC ranked eleventh out of 14 groups in total participant 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 mentioned, per the Chronicle. “Gamers particularly need extra transparency concerning enjoying time and lineup choices.

“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 carried out a brand new communications framework.

By the tip of the season, a contemporary survey revealed the staff had improved to sixth in participant satisfaction whereas changing into simply the second NWSL growth staff to make the postseason in its first yr.

It was a exceptional feat for a staff that was rapidly put collectively in time for its inaugural season.

The membership employed its first common supervisor, Lucy Rushton, lower than a yr earlier than it might play its first recreation, although Rushton abruptly left the staff after the staff went 5-9 in its first 14 video games.

Lucy Rushton, common supervisor of the growth girls’s soccer staff Bay FC, describes the joy of the staff’s upcoming season, Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, throughout an interview in Los Altos, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Space Information Group) 

Her first two picks within the 2024 NWSL Draft, Savy King and Maya Doms, notably left the staff after a single season. King began simply 12 video games and was traded to Angel Metropolis FC after the season, whereas Doms noticed the sector simply as soon as and has moved on to play professionally in Italy.

A number of big-name gamers introduced in final yr noticed minimal enjoying time and didn’t return for a second season.

And this spring, the membership confusingly employed a scouting director, Graeme Abel, who had been accused of verbal harassment by greater than a dozen former gamers at Oregon. Abel resigned from Bay FC lower than every week after being employed.

However the membership mentioned strengthened its communications processes forward of the 2025 season.

Montoya now meets weekly with an govt management coach. He additionally has weekly captain conferences by which the staff’s leaders can relay questions or considerations. Moreover, the gamers have their very own particular person weekly check-ins with members of the teaching employees, and weekly conferences between sporting director Matt Potter and non-captain participant representatives who’re inspired to convey up any points.

Two further employees members have been employed to present gamers further assist off the pitch. They’re charged with serving to gamers with skilled improvement, resembling working with charities and coaching as a coach, in addition to offering assist for well being and wellness.

A psychological efficiency coach meets twice every week with Montoya to debate total participant feelings.

The staff plans to proceed evolving its communication course of to make sure the gamers’ 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 mentioned just lately. “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 performed each minute for america Girls’s Nationwide Group that received the 2019 World Cup, grew up enjoying at Mountain View Los Altos (MVLA), the place she was coached by Montoya and his spouse, Erin. She referred to as them the very best coaches she’s ever had.

Bay FC is at present 4-3-6 by means of its first half of the season, simply three factors exterior of a playoff spot.

Bay FC’s Abby Dahlkemper (13) jumps for the ball in opposition to Angel Metropolis FC throughout second half on the PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Could 17, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group)