Monterey Bay FC explained

Clubname:Monterey Bay FC
Fullname:Monterey Bay Football Club
Nickname:Union,[1] Crisp and Kelp
Stadium:Cardinale Stadium
Seaside, California
Capacity:6,000
Owntitle:Owner
Owner:Ray Beshoff
Chrtitle:President
Chairman:Mike DiGiulio
Mgrtitle:head coach
Manager:Jordan Stewart
League:USL Championship
Season:2024
Position:11th, Western Conference
Playoffs: DNQ
Website:https://www.montereybayfc.com/
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American:yes
Current:2024 Monterey Bay FC 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

Former Monterey Bay teams

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

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

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.

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]

Stadium

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.[37] 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.[38]

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.[39]

Colors and badge

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

Sponsorship

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 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.[42] Mark Christie and Monterey Bay goalkeeper Carlos Herrera served as his assistant coaches.[43] [44] 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.[45] [46] 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.[47] 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.[48] [49]

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.[50] The team's first regular season match was on May 6, 2023, a 2–1 win against San Francisco City FC.[51] [52] Monterey Bay clinched their first League Two playoff appearance and first Nor Cal division title in their inaugural season.[53] [54] They lost their playoff appearance 1–0 away to then defending league champions Ventura County Fusion.[55]

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. 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.[56] On February 22, 2024, Pierce Gallaway became the first MBFC2 player to be signed to a first-team contract.[57] 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. 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

Current roster

Staff

[60]

[61] [62]

Team records

Year-by-year

SeasonRecordPositionPlayoffsUSOCAverage
attendance
Top goalscorer(s)
DivLeaguePldWLDGFGAGDPtsPPGConf.OverallNameGoals
20222USLC34121844259–17401.1812th21stDid not qualifyR23,643 Chase Boone
Sam Gleadle
8
20232USLC34111584253–11411.2111th19thDid not qualifyR33,963 Alex Dixon12

Head coaches

Coach Nationality Start End Games Win Loss Draw GF GA Win %
Frank Yallop
Simon Dawkins (interim)
Jordan Stewart[63] present

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Monterey Bay F.C. Reveals Official Crest and Colors . Christina . Ferrante . Monterey Bay Football Club . montereybayfc.com . July 16, 2021 . July 20, 2021.
  2. Web site: USLChampionship com Staff. 2021-02-01. USL Championship Welcomes Monterey Bay Football Club. 2022-01-26. USL Championship. en-us.
  3. Web site: USLChampionship com Staff. 2021-12-21. USL Championship Announces 2022 Competition Format. 2022-01-26. USL Championship. en-us.
  4. Web site: The Year in American Soccer, 1993. 2021-12-24. soccerhistoryusa.org.
  5. Web site: The Year in American Soccer, 1995. 2021-12-24. soccerhistoryusa.org.
  6. Web site: The Year in American Soccer, 1996. 2021-12-24. soccerhistoryusa.org.
  7. Web site: 2003-12-03 . MPSL News . 2021-12-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20031203055935/http://www.mpsl.info/newsfiles/news20031010mpslleagueexpansion.aspx . 3 December 2003 . dead.
  8. Web site: 2018-02-01 . Midfield Press » Santa Cruz Breakers Add PDL First Team With an Eye Towards More . 2021-12-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180201192831/http://midfieldpress.com/2018/01/31/santa-cruz-breakers-add-pdl-first-team-with-an-eye-towards-more/ . 1 February 2018 . dead.
  9. Web site: Staff. USLPDL com. 2018-01-31. Santa Cruz Breakers FC Join PDL as Southwest Member. 2021-12-24. USL League Two. en-us.
  10. Web site: Fresno FC Club Statement . December 19, 2019 . Fresno FC.
  11. News: Pro soccer: USL to put pro franchise in Monterey. February 1, 2021. John. Devine. montereyherald.com.
  12. Web site: USL Championship Welcomes Monterey Bay Football Club. USLChampionship.com Staff. February 1, 2021.
  13. Web site: 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. Web site: Santa Cruz Breakers FC Join PDL as Southwest Member. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180216042538/http://www.uslpdl.com/news_article/show/881748 . 2018-02-16 . January 31, 2018 .
  15. Web site: MONTEREY BAY FC ANNOUNCES FRANK YALLOP WILL SERVE AS HEAD COACH. Monterey Bay Football Club. April 22, 2021.
  16. Web site: USLChampionship com Staff. 2021-12-22. Monterey Bay F.C. Announces Walmer Martinez as First Signing in Club's History. 2021-12-23. USL Championship. en-us.
  17. Web site: Monterey Bay F.C. Comes Out Hot Against San Jose Earthquakes in First-Ever Preseason Match . 2023-04-29 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  18. Web site: Monterey Bay F.C. Signs Watsonville Local and CSUMB Alum, Adrian Rebollar . 2023-12-01 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  19. Web site: Waintal . Melody . 2022-01-12 . Monterey Bay FC releases 2022 game schedule for their first year in the USL Championship . 2023-12-01 . KION546 . en-US.
  20. Web site: Faries . Dave . 2022-03-27 . Monterey Bay F.C. notches historic first win with late goal on the road in Oakland. . 2023-12-01 . Monterey County Weekly . en.
  21. Web site: Monterey Bay F.C. Falls in Second Round of 2022 U.S. Open Cup . 2023-02-21 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  22. Web site: Vargo . Steven . May 7, 2022 . Monterey Bay F.C. Shuts Out Las Vegas Lights FC in Club's Inaugural Home Opener at Cardinale Stadium . May 9, 2022 . Monterey Bay FC.
  23. Web site: May 9, 2022 . Home again, Walmer Martinez gave Monterey Bay the moment it needed . May 9, 2022 . Nicolas Murray . USL Championship.
  24. Web site: Standings . 2023-02-11 . uslchampionship.com . en-us.
  25. Web site: Monterey Bay Football Club Announces 2023 Roster Moves . 2023-02-21 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  26. Web site: Monterey Bay F.C. Re-Signs Forward Jason Johnson . 2023-03-11 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  27. Web site: Dixon Earns USL Championship Team of the Week Honors in Week 1 . 2023-03-17 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  28. Web site: 2023-04-05 . CV Fuego FC still searching for a home, set to welcome club that left Fresno for Monterey . 2023-04-29 . ABC30 Fresno . en.
  29. Web site: mlssoccer . CVvsMB 04-05-2023 2022 MLS Match Recap . 2023-04-29 . mlssoccer . en.
  30. Web site: Monterey Bay F.C. feels the magic of the cup with 'historic' win over San Jose Earthquakes. . 2023-04-29 . Monterey County Weekly . April 26, 2023 . en.
  31. Web site: mlssoccer . MBvsLAFC 05-09-2023 MLS Match Recap . 2023-12-01 . mlssoccer . en.
  32. Web site: 2023 Season Recap . 2023-12-01 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  33. Web site: Statement from Ray Beshoff, Principal Owner of Monterey Bay F.C. . 2023-12-01 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  34. Web site: Monterey Bay Football Club Announces 2024 Roster Decisions . 2023-12-01 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  35. Web site: MONTEREY BAY FOOTBALL CLUB ANNOUNCES U-18 DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY . 2024-02-23 . Purchase Tickets Monterey Bay F.C. . en-US.
  36. Web site: Staff . USLChampionship com . 2024-03-13 . Monterey Bay adds trio of new signings before season opener . 2024-03-14 . USL Championship . en-us.
  37. Web site: Monterey Bay FC plan includes major stadium renovation. Kevin Reichard. Soccer Stadium Digest. February 1, 2021. February 5, 2021.
  38. Web site: Monterey Bay FC Breaks Ground on Cardinale Stadium on the CSUMB Campus. Monterey Bay Football Club. montereybayfc.com. September 16, 2021.
  39. Web site: Monterey Bay F.C. and KION TV Announce Local Broadcast Deal for 2023 Season . 2023-04-29 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  40. Web site: Monterey Bay FC Announces PUMA as Official Sports Apparel Partner . Christina . Ferrante . Monterey Bay Football Club . montereybayfc.com . May 6, 2021 . February 23, 2022.
  41. Web site: Montage Health Announced as the Official Kit Partner for Monterey Bay FC . Christina . Ferrante . Monterey Bay Football Club . montereybayfc.com . June 17, 2021 . February 23, 2022.
  42. Web site: Monterey Bay F.C. Announces Salinas-Based Development Team to Join USL League Two . 2023-02-11 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  43. Web site: MBFC2 . 2023-03-14 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  44. Web site: Monterey Bay F.C. 2 . 7 May 2023 . Monterey Bay F.C. 2 X.com post . 6 July 2024 . x.com.
  45. Web site: MBFC2 Announces Home Venue in Salinas, Open Tryout Dates . 2023-03-14 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  46. Web site: Monterey Bay gets ready to build its second team, but time is ticking. . 2023-03-14 . Monterey County Weekly . March 9, 2023 . en.
  47. Web site: Monterey Bay F.C. has the players, the stadium and the look. In year two, the question is whether the fans will follow. . 2023-04-29 . Monterey County Weekly . April 27, 2023 . en.
  48. Web site: MBFC2 Wraps Open Tryouts in Salinas Ahead of Inaugural Season in USL League Two . 2023-04-29 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  49. Web site: The making of Monterey Bay F.C.'s second team has young soccer players dreaming. . 2023-04-29 . Monterey County Weekly . March 31, 2023 . en.
  50. Web site: MBFC2 Completes First-Ever Match with 1-1 Draw Against Quakes II in Salinas Classic at Rabobank Stadium . 2023-04-29 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  51. Web site: Monterey Bay gets ready to build its second team, but time is ticking. . 2023-04-29 . Monterey County Weekly . March 9, 2023 . en.
  52. Web site: MBFC2 Defeats San Francisco City 2-1 in Inaugural Home Opener at Rabobank Stadium . 2023-07-16 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  53. Web site: MBFC2 Clinches Spot in 2023 USL League Two Playoffs in Club's First Season . 2023-07-16 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  54. Web site: MBFC2 Secures 2023 USL League Two Nor Cal Division Title with 3-0 Win Over Project 51O . 2023-07-16 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  55. Web site: MBFC2's Successful Inaugural Season Ends in USL League Two Round of 32 with 1-0 Defeat to Ventura County Fusion . 2023-12-01 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  56. Web site: Development Academy . 2024-02-23 . Purchase Tickets Monterey Bay F.C. . en-US.
  57. Web site: CARMEL NATIVE PIERCE GALLAWAY SIGNS WITH MONTEREY BAY, BECOMES FIRST PLAYER IN CLUB HISTORY TO MAKE JUMP FROM MBFC2 . 2024-02-23 . Purchase Tickets Monterey Bay F.C. . en-US.
  58. Web site: MONTEREY BAY F.C. SIGNS SALINAS NATIVE, FORMER MBFC2 GOALKEEPER FABIAN NAREZ TO 25-DAY CONTRACT . 2024-04-12 . Monterey Bay F.C. . en-US.
  59. Web site: Monterey Bay F.C. 2 . 2024-07-06 . www.uslleaguetwo.com.
  60. Web site: Leadership. montereybayfc.com. December 28, 2022.
  61. Web site: Technical Staff. montereybayfc.com. December 28, 2022.
  62. Web site: Monterey Bay F.C. Opens 2023 Preseason Against San Jose Earthquakes at Cardinale Stadium . 2023-02-11 . Monterey Bay Football Club USL Championship . en-US.
  63. Web site: Monterey Bay F.C. Begins New Era, Names former English Premier League and SJ Earthquakes Defender Jordan Stewart Permanent Head Coach . Steven. Vargo. Monterey Bay Football Club. August 5, 2024. August 5, 2024.