Monterey Bay FC

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]

Monterey Bay FC
Full nameMonterey Bay Football Club
Nickname(s)Union,[1] Crisp and Kelp
FoundedFebruary 1, 2021 (2021-02-01)
StadiumCardinale Stadium
Seaside, California
Capacity6,000
OwnerRay Beshoff
PresidentMike DiGiulio
Head coachFrank Yallop
LeagueUSL Championship
202311th, Western Conference
Playoffs: DNQ
WebsiteClub website

History

Former Monterey Bay teams

The Monterey Bay 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

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]

The club signed their first player, Walmer Martinez, on December 22, 2021. Born in Santa Cruz, Martinez returned to play professionally at the same campus he had played collegiately with CSUMB.[16] The club's first match was a pre-season encounter with MLS club San Jose Earthquakes. Monterey Bay ended up losing the encounter 4–2.[17] The Union finished their inaugural season in 12th place, second to last in the Western Conference.[18]

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.[19] 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.[20][21] 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.[22]

Stadium

Monterey Bay F.C. 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.[23] 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.[24]

Broadcast

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.[25]

Colors and badge

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

Sponsorship
Seasons Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
2022–present United States Puma[26] Montage Health[27]

Monterey Bay FC 2

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 will begin play in summer 2023 primarily in Salinas, California. The head coach will be current Monterey Bay F.C. assistant Ramiro Corrales, who will take on the role in addition to his first-team duties.[28] Mark Christie will serve as his assistant coach.[29] The team will play 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.[30][31] 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.[32] 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.[33][34]

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.[35] The team's first regular season match was on May 6, 2023, a 2–1 win against San Francisco City FC.[36][37] Monterey Bay clinched their first League Two playoff appearance and first Nor Cal division title in their inaugural season.[38][39]

Players

Current roster
As of July 29, 2023
No. Pos. Player Nation
2 DF Hugh Roberts  United States
3 DF Morey Doner  Canada
4 DF Alex Lara  United States
5 MF Nevello Yoseke  South Sudan
6 MF James Murphy  United States
7 MF Adrian Rebollar  United States
8 MF Simon Dawkins  Jamaica
9 FW Sean Okoli  United States
10 FW Christian Volesky  United States
11 FW Walmer Martinez  El Salvador
12 DF Grant Robinson  United States
13 MF Mobi Fehr  United States
15 FW Alex Dixon  United States
16 GK Antony Siaha  Cameroon
19 MF Chuy Enríquez  United States
20 MF Rafael Baca  Mexico
21 GK Carlos Herrera  Mexico
22 FW Jesse Maldonado  United States
23 MF Sam Gleadle  England
24 DF Max Glasser  United States
31 FW Chase Boone  United States
33 DF Kai Greene  United States
  1. ^
    USL Academy player
    2.

Staff
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

[40]

As of February 4, 2023
Technical staff
Sporting director / Head coach Frank Yallop
Technical advisor / Assistant coach Ramiro Corrales
Goalkeeper Coach Joe Cannon
Athletic Trainer Dr. Jessica Benedetti

[41][42]

Team records

Year-by-year
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 2 USLC 34 11 15 8 42 53 –11 41 1.21 11th 19th Did not qualify R3 3,963 United States Alex Dixon 12

Head coaches
  • Includes USL Regular Season, USL Playoffs, U.S. Open Cup. Excludes friendlies.
CoachNationalityStartEndGamesWinLossDrawGFGAWin %
Frank Yallop  Canada April 22, 2021 Present 71 24 35 12 88 116 033.80

References
  1. 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 (2021-02-01). "USL Championship Welcomes Monterey Bay Football Club". USL Championship. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
  3. USLChampionship com Staff (2021-12-21). "USL Championship Announces 2022 Competition Format". USL Championship. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
  4. "The Year in American Soccer, 1993". soccerhistoryusa.org. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  5. "The Year in American Soccer, 1995". soccerhistoryusa.org. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  6. "The Year in American Soccer, 1996". soccerhistoryusa.org. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  7. "MPSL News". 2003-12-03. Archived from the original on 3 December 2003. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  8. "Midfield Press » Santa Cruz Breakers Add PDL First Team With an Eye Towards More". 2018-02-01. Archived from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  9. Staff, USLPDL com (2018-01-31). "Santa Cruz Breakers FC Join PDL as Southwest Member". USL League Two. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  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". Archived from the original on 2018-02-16.
  15. "MONTEREY BAY FC ANNOUNCES FRANK YALLOP WILL SERVE AS HEAD COACH". Monterey Bay Football Club. April 22, 2021.
  16. USLChampionship com Staff (2021-12-22). "Monterey Bay F.C. Announces Walmer Martinez as First Signing in Club's History". USL Championship. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  17. "Monterey Bay F.C. Comes Out Hot Against San Jose Earthquakes in First-Ever Preseason Match". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  18. "Standings". uslchampionship.com. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  19. "Dixon Earns USL Championship Team of the Week Honors in Week 1". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  20. "CV Fuego FC still searching for a home, set to welcome club that left Fresno for Monterey". ABC30 Fresno. 2023-04-05. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  21. mlssoccer. "CVvsMB 04-05-2023 | 2022 MLS Match Recap". mlssoccer. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  22. "Monterey Bay F.C. feels the magic of the cup with 'historic' win over San Jose Earthquakes". Monterey County Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  23. "Monterey Bay FC plan includes major stadium renovation". Kevin Reichard. Soccer Stadium Digest. February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  24. "Monterey Bay FC Breaks Ground on Cardinale Stadium on the CSUMB Campus". montereybayfc.com. Monterey Bay Football Club. September 16, 2021.
  25. "Monterey Bay F.C. and KION TV Announce Local Broadcast Deal for 2023 Season". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  26. 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.
  27. 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.
  28. "Monterey Bay F.C. Announces Salinas-Based Development Team to Join USL League Two". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  29. "MBFC2". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  30. "MBFC2 Announces Home Venue in Salinas, Open Tryout Dates". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  31. "Monterey Bay gets ready to build its second team, but time is ticking". Monterey County Weekly. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  32. "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. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  33. "MBFC2 Wraps Open Tryouts in Salinas Ahead of Inaugural Season in USL League Two". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  34. "The making of Monterey Bay F.C.'s second team has young soccer players dreaming". Monterey County Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  35. "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 2023-04-29.
  36. "Monterey Bay gets ready to build its second team, but time is ticking". Monterey County Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  37. "MBFC2 Defeats San Francisco City 2-1 in Inaugural Home Opener at Rabobank Stadium". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
  38. "MBFC2 Clinches Spot in 2023 USL League Two Playoffs in Club's First Season". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
  39. "MBFC2 Secures 2023 USL League Two Nor Cal Division Title with 3-0 Win Over Project 51O". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
  40. "Leadership". montereybayfc.com. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  41. "Technical Staff". montereybayfc.com. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  42. "Monterey Bay F.C. Opens 2023 Preseason Against San Jose Earthquakes at Cardinale Stadium". Monterey Bay Football Club | USL Championship. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.