February 5, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Monterey Bay FC News Release
SEASIDE, California – Monterey Bay F.C. fell 2-1 to Major League Soccer side San Jose Earthquakes in the Union’s opening match of the 2023 preseason at Cardinale Stadium. Walmer Martinez scored the lone goal of the match for the Crisp and Kelp, an equalizer just before the halftime break. Martinez scored the first-ever goal at Cardinale Stadium in 2022, and now opens the 2023 season as the first to score once again.
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The match began quickly as both sides earned chances in the early stages of the match. In the 13th minute, Sam Gleadle crossed the ball into the box towards Martinez, but he was not able to connect cleanly and the ball went out for a goal kick. Three minutes later, the Union sprung Gleadle all alone on the counter, but the Earthquakes goalkeeper beat him to the ball to knock it away. Christian Volesky gained possession, continued the break for the Union and earned a corner, but it was cleared away by San Jose. San Jose found itself with an opportunity in the 23rd minute, but the shot was saved by Carlos Herrera. The Quakes looked to capitalize following a turnover in the midfield by Monterey Bay, but Hugh Roberts applied pressure and the shot missed to the left. San Jose then scored the breakthrough goal in the 28th minute following a cross into the box. It did not take long for the Crisp and Kelp to equalize, however, as Martinez curled a left-footed shot into the top-left corner of the net to level the match just before the halftime break.
The second half began with wholesale changes for the Union. Three minutes into the start of the half, Doner crossed a ball into the box following a run down the right sideline that found Gleadle, but his chance to take the lead was saved by the Earthquakes goalkeeper. Doner fired another dangerous cross into the box in the 66th minute, but it was blocked by a San Jose defender and cleared away. With five minutes left in the match, San Jose earned a corner and took the lead on the ensuing kick with a header inside the left post. Monterey Bay F.C. looked to equalize with one final chance late in the match, but Chase Boone’s low pass to Jess Maldonado inside the six-yard box was deflected away by the outstretched leg of an Earthquakes defender and the match ended 2-1 in favor of the visitors.
Notes:
– The club’s first-ever preseason match was played against the Earthquakes at…