Monterey Bay F.C.’s Christian Volesky Earns USL Championship Player of the Month

TAMPA, Fla. – Monterey Bay F.C.’s Christian Volesky was announced as the USL Championship’s Player of the Month for April on Thursday, with the veteran forward recording three goals and two assists for the second-year side as it remained firmly in the playoff positions in the Western Conference.

A preseason arrival prior to Monterey Bay’s inaugural season last year, Volesky has been one of the central pillars of Monterey Bay’s attack in its short history. That continued over the past month as the 30-year-old recorded three goals and two assists and helped lead the side to a pair of notable victories against New Mexico United and Indy Eleven in which he recorded a goal and assist in both performances.

The Nevada native was voted as the Championship’s Player of the Week for both of those performances. He also earned TheCup.us’s Player of the Round award for the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as his goal proved the difference in a 1-0 upset of the San Jose Earthquakes on April 25 which marked the club’s first victory against an opponent from Major League Soccer in the club’s history. Volesky has now scored 56 regular-season goals in the Championship, placing him tied for 16th in the league’s history.

“Winning Player of the Month is great. It’s great for the club and it’s really a good testament to the group we have and the success that we’ve had here collectively,” said Volesky. “But I have already turned the page. April is far in the past for me mentally at this point. I’m looking forward to more success for the club this month.”

Volesky received 48 percent of a weighted poll that included the USL Championship Technical Committee, a national panel of independent media representing every USL market and an online fan vote held at USLChampionship.com. Sacramento Republic FC’s Russell Cicerone finished second on 26 percent after he helped his side post an undefeated month with three goals and two assists in five contests, while Oakland Roots SC goalkeeper Paul Blanchette finished third on 11 percent after posting a league-high 22 saves and three shutouts during the month.

USL Championship Player of the Month – April 2023

Nominee Fan Vote Weight Media Vote Weight USL Technical Vote Weight Total Vote

Christian Volesky (MB) 45% 23% 43% 10% 60% 15% 48%

Russell Cicerone (SAC) 34% 17% 14% 3% 20% 5% 26%

Paul Blanchette (OAK) 11% 6% 21% 5% 0% 0% 11%

Enzo Martinez (BHM) 4% 2% 14% 3% 20% 5%…