Bay FC has added a local superstar and former world champion to the roster as the first-year franchise attempts to qualify for the NWSL playoffs.

The team announced Monday morning that it had acquired Menlo Park native Abby Dahlkemper from San Diego Wave FC for a $50,000 grant.

The team has added an experienced defensive player to the defense line in Dahlkemper, a three-time league champion. She has earned 83 caps for the U.S. women’s national team and helped win the 2019 World Cup and take bronze at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

“She has won multiple NWSL championships and her experience and leadership will really make a difference here on our team,” Bay FC coach Albertin Montoya said during Monday’s press conference. “I consider her to be one of the best center backs in the league.”

Dahlkemper, 31, dominated as a youngster at Sacred Heart Prep in Atherton and was named California Gatorade Soccer Player of the Year in 2010. She scored 48 goals and had 23 assists in three seasons, according to stats from MaxPreps.

As a professional, the Iberian-born player was voted into the NWSL’s best eleven every year from 2017 to 2019 and was named Defender of the Year in 2017.

Dahlkemper could be available for Tuesday’s match against FC Barcelona Femení.

“We’ll make a decision on Abby after today’s practice,” Montoya said. “We’ll see how she feels and we’d like to have her play a half if she’s available.”

Barcelona, ​​the reigning Champions League winners, will be the first titanic test for a newly formed Bay FC team on Tuesday.

The team (6-11-0) looked rusty upon returning from a three-week break, allowing two goals in the first ten minutes in Utah, leading to a 2-1 loss.

Dahlkemper was not the only decision made by Matt Potter – head of football and interim sports director of Bay FC – after the game.

Before the Dahlkemper blockbuster, Bay FC sold goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx to the Italian club Juventus for an as yet undisclosed transfer fee.

Proulx has appeared in six regular-season games since joining from Australia’s Melbourne City FC, saving 26 shots, but has not started since May. She was an alternate on Canada’s Olympic squad.

Although Bay FC hopes that Dahlkämper can build an improved defense, the team will ultimately need to score some goals if they want to have a competitive game against Barca.

Luckily for the home team, they have a player who knows a thing or two about the Spanish giants.