Bay FC coach Albertin Montoya cleared by NWSL after bullying investigation

Bay FC coach Albertin Montoya was cleared by the National Women s Soccer League on Tuesday after a four-month research into a bullying accusation The league began probing Montoya in March after two complaints were lodged against him for restoration during the gang s inaugural season One was cleared after it was reviewed by a third-party investigator hired by the association while the other was sent to the league Tuesday the league declared 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 Agenda 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 advocacy structures The investigators mentioned the league Bay FC and Montoya have already begun taking those recommendations and will continue to address them in the future In a message Bay FC commented 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 setting for our players Montoya is scheduled to speak to reporters this afternoon Bay FC s head coach Albertin Montoya watches the band before a meeting against Angel City FC at the PayPal Park in San Jose Calif on Saturday May Shae Hammond Bay Area News Group The accusations were first made residents in a March document in the San Francisco Chronicle that quoted two unnamed former players who described the squad practices as toxic in its inaugural season in In a mid-season participant survey sent out by the league Bay FC ranked th out of teams in overall participant satisfaction Bulk comments were focused toward the head coach but players expressed an increased need for better communication and transparency across the board the description stated per the Chronicle Players specifically want more transparency regarding playing time and lineup decisions Players again desire clear communication from the coaching staff Certain players have requested one-on-one meetings that have been denied Players also feel that the coaching staff avoids having tough 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 unit had improved to sixth in sportsman satisfaction while becoming just the second NWSL expansion crew to make the postseason in its first year It was a remarkable feat for a band 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 contest though Rushton abruptly left the club after the club went - in its first games Lucy Rushton general manager of the expansion women s soccer association Bay FC describes the excitement of the band s upcoming season Friday Dec during an interview in Los Altos Calif Karl Mondon Bay Area News Group Her first two picks in the NWSL Draft Savy King and Maya Doms notably left the unit after a single season King started just 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 stated strengthened its communications processes ahead of the season Montoya now meets weekly with an executive leadership coach He also has weekly captain meetings in which the company 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 athlete representatives who are encouraged to bring up any issues Two additional staff members were hired to give players additional help off the pitch They re charged with helping players with professional expansion such as working with charities and training as a coach as well as providing backing for wellbeing and wellness A mental performance coach meets twice a week with Montoya to discuss overall sportsman emotions Related Articles Bay FC closes out first half of season with - road loss to Gotham FC Barbra Banda s ricocheted goal leads Orlando Pride to close win over Bay FC Why San Jose will host NWSL championship match Bay FC edges Portland - as Alyssa Malonson scores first career goal Bay FC returns from two-week break for Saturday home championship against Portland The association plans to continue evolving its communication process to ensure the players voices are heard The Bay is the the greater part player-centric club I ve ever been a part of like without a doubt defender Abby Dalhkemper commented in recent months 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 Group that won the 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 now - - through its first half of the season just three points outside of a playoff spot Bay FC's Abby Dahlkemper jumps for the ball against Angel City FC during second half at the PayPal Park in San Jose Calif on Saturday May Shae Hammond Bay Area News Group