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Monterey Bay FC

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Monterey Bay FC
Full nameMonterey Bay Football Club
Nickname(s)Union,[1] Crisp and Kelp
FoundedFebruary 1, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-02-01)
StadiumCardinale Stadium
Seaside, California
Capacity6,000
OwnerRay Beshoff
PresidentMike DiGiulio
Head CoachJordan Stewart
LeagueUSL Championship
202411th, Western Conference
Playoffs: DNQ
Websitemontereybayfc.com
Current season

Monterey Bay Football Club (Monterey Bay FC) is an American professional soccer team based in Monterey County, California. The club was established on February 21, 2021,[2] and is a member of the USL Championship, the second tier of the American soccer league system. It began playing during the 2022 USL Championship season as a member of the league's Western Conference.[3]

History

[edit]

Former Monterey Bay teams

[edit]

The Monterey Bay area had its first professional team in 1993 when Santa Cruz Surf joined the USISL.[4] The team would only last through the 1994 season, but professional soccer's absence would not last long as the Monterey Bay Jaguars were established for the 1995 season.[5] The following season the Jaguars would change the location in their name to "California" and have their most successful season, defeating the Richmond Kickers 2-1 to win the USISL Select League Championship.[6] The Jaguars would continue to play in USL affiliated leagues until their folding after the 1999 USL D3 Pro League season.

National club soccer would not return to the Monterey Bay until 2004, when the Salinas Valley Samba joined the Men's Premier Soccer League for its second season.[7] The 2007 NPSL season would see two Monterey Bay teams playing in the same league, with the Santa Cruz County Breakers established. However this would not last long, as the Breakers would fold their NPSL club in 2008.[8] The Samba themselves would fold the following year, with the 2009 season being their last. In 2018, a decade after the initial Breakers team folded, the club reestablished their first-team side and joined the USL PDL under the name Santa Cruz Breakers FC.[9]

From Fresno to the Monterey Bay

[edit]

Monterey Bay F.C. is a continuation of the USL Championship's former Fresno FC franchise. The team, owned by Ray Beshoff, ceased operations after the 2019 season because he was unable to secure construction of a soccer-specific stadium. Beshoff retained franchise rights and sought another place in California to relocate.[10] On February 1, 2021, Monterey Bay F.C. joined the USL Championship. The club's Sporting Director is two-time MLS Coach of the Year, Frank Yallop. Yallop had previously served as general manager of Fresno FC.[11][12] In April 2021, former San Jose Earthquakes captain, Ramiro Corrales, joined the team staff as a technical advisor.[13] Corrales, a native of Salinas, began and ended his playing career in the Monterey Bay Area. His career began with the Monterey Bay Jaguars in 1995 before joining the San Jose Clash (later renamed "Earthquakes") in 1996. He last served as a player-coach with Santa Cruz Breakers during the 2018 USL PDL season.[14] General manager Frank Yallop was also named head coach on April 22, 2021, with Ramiro Corrales as assistant coach.[15]

First USL Championship seasons

[edit]

The club announced their first signing, Walmer Martinez, on December 22, 2021. Born in Santa Cruz, Martinez had previously played with fellow USL Championship side Hartford Athletic but was brought in by Monterey Bay, through a transfer for an undisclosed fee, to play professionally at the same campus he had featured collegiately with CSUMB.[16] The club's ever first match was a pre-season encounter away to MLS club San Jose Earthquakes. Monterey Bay ended up losing the encounter 4–2.[17] The club's final signing before the season started was another local product and CSUMB alum, Adrian Rebollar. Rebollar, a native of Watsonville, was a trialist during the preseason and made it to the first team.[18] Due to the timing of the renovation of Cardinale Stadium, the team started the regular season with seven consecutive league road matches.[19] The club's first ever professional win occurred on March 26, 2022, in their third ever match, away to nearby Northern California side Oakland Roots SC. Club captain Hugh Roberts scored the winning goal of the 2–3 victory in the final minute of regulation.[20] Another away match was added to their schedule for their US Open Cup debut, an away match against NISA club Bay Cities FC. Monterey Bay ultimately suffered an upset, losing 2–1 against the 3rd division side.[21] The club had their first ever home match on May 7, 2022, defeating Las Vegas Lights FC 1–0 on a goal by Walmer Martinez in the 56th minute.[22][23] After a late playoff push, the Union ultimately finished their inaugural season in 12th place, second to last in the Western Conference and seven points away from qualifying for the playoffs.[24]

In preparation for their second season, Monterey Bay brought back 17 players from their inaugural squad.[25][26] Newcomer Alex Dixon scored the club's first ever hat trick in the 2023 USL Championship season opener against Hartford Athletic. The hat trick's first goal featured the fastest goal in club history (91 seconds) and the third goal was the first penalty scored by the club. His performance also earned him USL Championship Player of the Week honors, another first for a player from the club.[27] The club won their first ever U.S. Open Cup match on April 5, 2023, away to Central Valley Fuego FC, the club which filled the professional soccer void in Fresno after Fresno FC folded to eventually become Monterey Bay FC itself.[28][29] In the following round Monterey Bay achieved their most important win in club history, upsetting local MLS club San Jose Earthquakes 1–0. It was their first competitive match against a first division club in their history.[30] The club would once again host MLS competition in the US Open Cup, but this time they fell in a penalty-shootout against Los Angeles FC.[31] The match against LAFC featured the club's highest ever attendance, just shy of a sellout with 5,808 fans on hand.[32] Despite a hot start to the season, Monterey Bay would ultimately finish the season in 11th place, once again 2nd to last in the Western Conference and six points away from qualifying for the playoffs.[32]

Following the 2023 season, Monterey Bay FC Principal Owner Ray Beshoff stated that the club's goals for the offseason were to broaden their developmental side Monterey Bay FC 2 into a year-round program as well as to expand their academy's development to reach more youth in the community.[33] The club announced their initial roster decisions ahead of the 2024 season on November 28, 2023. The most notable departures were the club's first captain Hugh Roberts as well as the club's all-time leading goal scorer Christian Volesky.[34] The club announced a U-18 Development Academy on February 5, 2024. The program would identify young talent in the Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito tri-county area and allow them to train at the club's facilities and with their staff throughout the year.[35] Three Monterey Bay FC 2 players were added to the roster ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season: Pierce Gallaway, Miguel Guerrero, and Anthony Orendain.[36][37]

Stadium

[edit]

Monterey Bay FC plays their games at what was Freeman Stadium on the campus of California State University, Monterey Bay. The stadium was renovated with private funds and holds 6,000 fans.[38] Ground breaking for the stadium renovations took place on September 16, 2021. The team entered into a multi-year partnership with the Cardinale Automotive Group for the stadium naming rights. The venue was renamed Cardinale Stadium, which opened on May 7, 2022.[39]

Broadcast

[edit]

On February 28, 2023, the club announced their first local broadcast deal, with KION-TV to broadcast Monterey Bay's 17 USL Championship home matches on their affiliated FOX 35 or Central Coast CW channels.[40]

Colors and badge

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Monterey Bay Football Club's official colors are Crisp Blue, Kelp Blue, Dune Yellow and White.[1]

Sponsorship

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Seasons Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
2022–present United States Puma[41] Montage Health[42]

Monterey Bay FC 2

[edit]

On February 6, 2023, the club announced Monterey Bay F.C. 2, a development team joining USL League Two as part of the newly formed Nor Cal Division. The team began play in summer 2023 primarily based in Salinas, California. The head coach for the first season was current Monterey Bay F.C. assistant Ramiro Corrales, who took on the role in addition to his first-team duties.[43] Mark Christie and Monterey Bay goalkeeper Carlos Herrera served as his assistant coaches.[44][45] In its inaugural season, the team played four of their six home matches at Rabobank Stadium and the remaining two matches at the senior team's home, Cardinale Stadium in Seaside, California.[46][47] Outside of local scouting and player development, the goal of the team in the words of club owner Ray Beshoff is also to be a "good bridge that we need" from the professional team to the community of Salinas.[48] The club's initial open tryouts saw 85% of the players either currently based in or originally from Monterey County, with the largest amount of registrants coming from Salinas.[49][50]

On April 22, 2023, the team played its first match, a preseason match against MLS Next Pro side San Jose Earthquakes II. CSUMB student José Jesús Madrigal scored the club's first goal in what ended as a 1–1 draw at Rabobank Stadium.[51] The team's first regular season match was on May 6, 2023, a 2–1 win against San Francisco City FC.[52][53] Monterey Bay clinched their first League Two playoff appearance and first Nor Cal division title in their inaugural season.[54][55] They lost their playoff appearance 1–0 away to then defending league champions Ventura County Fusion.[56]

On October 28, 2023, Monterey Bay FC Principal Owner Ray Beshoff stated that one of the club's goals is to develop MBFC2 into a year-round program.[33] On February 5, 2023, the club announced a U-18 Development Academy. This program would lead straight into MBFC2, which is seen as a U-23 program.[57] On February 22, 2024, Pierce Gallaway became the first MBFC2 player to be signed to a first-team contract.[36] On March 13, 2024, two more MBFC2 players, Miguel Guerrero and Anthony Orendain, were added to the first team's roster ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season.[37] The fourth MBFC2 alum joined the first team on April 12, 2024, when goalkeeper Fabian Narez was signed to a 25-day contract.[58] Ahead of the team's second season, Monterey Bay player Simon Dawkins took over as head coach from Ramiro Corrales.[59]

Roster

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Current roster

[edit]
As of December 19, 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
5 DF Mexico MEX Carlos Guzmán
7 MF United States USA Adrian Rebollar
10 FW United States USA Diego Gutierrez
12 DF United States USA Grant Robinson
13 MF United States USA Mobi Fehr
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 FW United States USA Alex Dixon
17 FW Guadeloupe GLP Luther Archimède
32 MF United States USA Pierce Gallaway
99 MF United States USA Xavi Gnaulati
— FW Democratic Republic of the Congo COD Mayele Malango
  1. ^
    USL Academy player
    2.
  2. ^
    25-day contract
    3.

Staff

[edit]
As of December 28, 2022
Front office
Owner / Chairman Ray Beshoff
President Mike DiGiulio
Vice-President, Corporate Partnerships Jonathon Carpenter
Vice-President, Marketing & Communications Christina Ferrante

[60]

As of February 4, 2023
Technical staff
Head coach Jordan Stewart
Technical advisor / Assistant coach Simon Dawkins
Athletic Trainer Dr. Jessica Benedetti

[61][62]

Team records

[edit]

Year-by-year

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Season Record Position Playoffs USOC Average
attendance 		Top goalscorer(s)
Div League Pld W L D GF GA GD Pts PPG Conf. Overall Name Goals
2022 2 USLC 34 12 18 4 42 59 –17 40 1.18 12th 21st Did not qualify R2 3,643 United States Chase Boone
England Sam Gleadle 		8
2023 USLC 34 11 15 8 42 53 –11 41 1.21 11th 19th Did not qualify R3 3,963 United States Alex Dixon 12
2024 USLC 34 8 16 10 29 44 –15 34 1.00 11th 22nd Did not qualify Ro32 4,107 United States Tristan Trager 8

Head coaches

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  • Includes USL Regular Season, USL Playoffs, U.S. Open Cup. Excludes friendlies.
Coach Nationality Start End Games Win Loss Draw GF GA Win %
Frank Yallop  Canada April 22, 2021 July 31, 2024 95 33 45 17 116 152 034.74
Simon Dawkins (interim)  Jamaica August 1, 2024 August 5, 2024 1 0 0 1 2 2 000.00
Jordan Stewart[63]  England August 5, 2024 present 12 1 7 4 8 15 008.33

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Ferrante, Christina (July 16, 2021). "Monterey Bay F.C. Reveals Official Crest and Colors". montereybayfc.com. Monterey Bay Football Club. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  2. ^ USLChampionship com Staff (February 1, 2021). "USL Championship Welcomes Monterey Bay Football Club". USL Championship. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  3. ^ USLChampionship com Staff (December 21, 2021). "USL Championship Announces 2022 Competition Format". USL Championship. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  4. ^ "The Year in American Soccer, 1993". soccerhistoryusa.org. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  5. ^ "The Year in American Soccer, 1995". soccerhistoryusa.org. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  6. ^ "The Year in American Soccer, 1996". soccerhistoryusa.org. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  7. ^ "MPSL News". December 3, 2003. Archived from the original on December 3, 2003. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  8. ^ "Midfield Press » Santa Cruz Breakers Add PDL First Team With an Eye Towards More". February 1, 2018. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  9. ^ Staff, USLPDL com (January 31, 2018). "Santa Cruz Breakers FC Join PDL as Southwest Member". USL League Two. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  10. ^ "Fresno FC Club Statement". Fresno FC. December 19, 2019.
  11. ^ Devine, John (February 1, 2021). "Pro soccer: USL to put pro franchise in Monterey". montereyherald.com.
  12. ^ "USL Championship Welcomes Monterey Bay Football Club". USLChampionship.com Staff. February 1, 2021.
  13. ^ "MONTEREY BAY FC ADDS FORMER MLS AND U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER RAMIRO CORRALES TO TECHNICAL STAFF". USL Championship. April 12, 2021.
  14. ^ "Santa Cruz Breakers FC Join PDL as Southwest Member". January 31, 2018. Archived from the original on February 16, 2018.
  15. ^ "MONTEREY BAY FC ANNOUNCES FRANK YALLOP WILL SERVE AS HEAD COACH". Monterey Bay Football Club. April 22, 2021.
  16. ^ USLChampionship com Staff (December 22, 2021). "Monterey Bay F.C. Announces Walmer Martinez as First Signing in Club's History". USL Championship. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  17. ^ "Monterey Bay F.C. Comes Out Hot Against San Jose Earthquakes in First-Ever Preseason Match". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  18. ^ "Monterey Bay F.C. Signs Watsonville Local and CSUMB Alum, Adrian Rebollar". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  19. ^ Waintal, Melody (January 12, 2022). "Monterey Bay FC releases 2022 game schedule for their first year in the USL Championship". KION546. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  20. ^ Faries, Dave (March 27, 2022). "Monterey Bay F.C. notches historic first win with late goal on the road in Oakland". Monterey County Weekly. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  21. ^ "Monterey Bay F.C. Falls in Second Round of 2022 U.S. Open Cup". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  22. ^ Vargo, Steven (May 7, 2022). "Monterey Bay F.C. Shuts Out Las Vegas Lights FC in Club's Inaugural Home Opener at Cardinale Stadium". Monterey Bay FC. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  23. ^ "Home again, Walmer Martinez gave Monterey Bay the moment it needed". Nicolas Murray. USL Championship. May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  24. ^ "Standings". uslchampionship.com. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  25. ^ "Monterey Bay Football Club Announces 2023 Roster Moves". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  26. ^ "Monterey Bay F.C. Re-Signs Forward Jason Johnson". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  27. ^ "Dixon Earns USL Championship Team of the Week Honors in Week 1". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  28. ^ "CV Fuego FC still searching for a home, set to welcome club that left Fresno for Monterey". ABC30 Fresno. April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  29. ^ mlssoccer. "CVvsMB 04-05-2023 | 2022 MLS Match Recap". mlssoccer. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  30. ^ "Monterey Bay F.C. feels the magic of the cup with 'historic' win over San Jose Earthquakes". Monterey County Weekly. April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  31. ^ mlssoccer. "MBvsLAFC 05-09-2023 | MLS Match Recap". mlssoccer. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  32. ^ a b "2023 Season Recap". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  33. ^ a b "Statement from Ray Beshoff, Principal Owner of Monterey Bay F.C." Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  34. ^ "Monterey Bay Football Club Announces 2024 Roster Decisions". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  35. ^ "MONTEREY BAY FOOTBALL CLUB ANNOUNCES U-18 DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY". Purchase Tickets | Monterey Bay F.C. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  36. ^ a b "CARMEL NATIVE PIERCE GALLAWAY SIGNS WITH MONTEREY BAY, BECOMES FIRST PLAYER IN CLUB HISTORY TO MAKE JUMP FROM MBFC2". Purchase Tickets | Monterey Bay F.C. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  37. ^ a b USLChampionship com Staff (March 13, 2024). "Monterey Bay adds trio of new signings before season opener". USL Championship. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  38. ^ "Monterey Bay FC plan includes major stadium renovation". Kevin Reichard. Soccer Stadium Digest. February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  39. ^ "Monterey Bay FC Breaks Ground on Cardinale Stadium on the CSUMB Campus". montereybayfc.com. Monterey Bay Football Club. September 16, 2021.
  40. ^ "Monterey Bay F.C. and KION TV Announce Local Broadcast Deal for 2023 Season". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  41. ^ Ferrante, Christina (May 6, 2021). "Monterey Bay FC Announces PUMA as Official Sports Apparel Partner". montereybayfc.com. Monterey Bay Football Club. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  42. ^ Ferrante, Christina (June 17, 2021). "Montage Health Announced as the Official Kit Partner for Monterey Bay FC". montereybayfc.com. Monterey Bay Football Club. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  43. ^ "Monterey Bay F.C. Announces Salinas-Based Development Team to Join USL League Two". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  44. ^ "MBFC2". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  45. ^ Monterey Bay F.C. 2 (May 7, 2023). "Monterey Bay F.C. 2 X.com post". x.com. Retrieved July 6, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  46. ^ "MBFC2 Announces Home Venue in Salinas, Open Tryout Dates". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  47. ^ "Monterey Bay gets ready to build its second team, but time is ticking". Monterey County Weekly. March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  48. ^ "Monterey Bay F.C. has the players, the stadium and the look. In year two, the question is whether the fans will follow". Monterey County Weekly. April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  49. ^ "MBFC2 Wraps Open Tryouts in Salinas Ahead of Inaugural Season in USL League Two". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  50. ^ "The making of Monterey Bay F.C.'s second team has young soccer players dreaming". Monterey County Weekly. March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  51. ^ "MBFC2 Completes First-Ever Match with 1-1 Draw Against Quakes II in Salinas Classic at Rabobank Stadium". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  52. ^ "Monterey Bay gets ready to build its second team, but time is ticking". Monterey County Weekly. March 9, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  53. ^ "MBFC2 Defeats San Francisco City 2-1 in Inaugural Home Opener at Rabobank Stadium". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  54. ^ "MBFC2 Clinches Spot in 2023 USL League Two Playoffs in Club's First Season". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  55. ^ "MBFC2 Secures 2023 USL League Two Nor Cal Division Title with 3-0 Win Over Project 51O". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  56. ^ "MBFC2's Successful Inaugural Season Ends in USL League Two Round of 32 with 1-0 Defeat to Ventura County Fusion". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  57. ^ "Development Academy". Purchase Tickets | Monterey Bay F.C. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  58. ^ "MONTEREY BAY F.C. SIGNS SALINAS NATIVE, FORMER MBFC2 GOALKEEPER FABIAN NAREZ TO 25-DAY CONTRACT". Monterey Bay F.C. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  59. ^ "Monterey Bay F.C. 2". www.uslleaguetwo.com. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  60. ^ "Leadership". montereybayfc.com. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  61. ^ "Technical Staff". montereybayfc.com. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  62. ^ "Monterey Bay F.C. Opens 2023 Preseason Against San Jose Earthquakes at Cardinale Stadium". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  63. ^ Vargo, Steven (August 5, 2024). "Monterey Bay F.C. Begins New Era, Names former English Premier League and SJ Earthquakes Defender Jordan Stewart Permanent Head Coach". Monterey Bay Football Club. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
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