November 17, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Monterey Bay FC News Release
The curtains have closed on an eventful sophomore campaign for Monterey Bay Football Club in 2023. Unlike the Club’s inaugural season, the Union jumped out to a solid first half of the campaign, jumping out to a 7-4-5 record and a total of 26 points through 16 games (1.6 points per game). On pace for over 50 points at the halfway mark, the season stalled with a winless July – the exact opposite of 2022 in which the team’s season was sparked by an undefeated July. Even still, the Crisp-and-Kelp battled back to win four straight games down the stretch to reposition themselves in the playoff conversation in exciting fashion. Though the Union came up short of a place in the postseason in year two, this season was yet another step in a positive direction as Monterey Bay F.C. continues to grow both on and off the pitch heading into year three.
Memorable Moments
Perhaps the most memorable moments from Monterey Bay’s second season came from its special, unforeseen run in the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup that started with a 3-1 road win in extra time over USL League One side Central Valley Fuego FC. From there, the team was drawn to host Major League Soccer (MLS) neighbors San Jose Earthquakes at Cardinale Stadium – a historically-connected match that ended with a stunning 1-0 win for the Crisp-and-Kelp, the first victory over an MLS opponent in Club history. With all eyes on the next draw, Monterey Bay F.C. was picked to host Los Angeles FC (LAFC), the defending MLS Cup Champions. Behind a raucous atmosphere that you had to see to believe, the Union pushed LAFC all the way into extra time here in Seaside before falling in an exciting penalty shootout.
Monterey Bay F.C. also came flying out of the gates in regular season play with a home match full of fireworks on opening week. New signing Alex Dixon scored two minutes into the match on his way to recording the Club’s first-ever hat trick in the first half alone. The Union won that match 5-3 over the visiting Hartford Athletic, starting the season off with a bang. One of the first memorable moments away from Seaside this season came in April in Indianapolis in a match that saw Monterey Bay erase a 2-1 deficit to defeat Indy Eleven 3-2 behind goals from Grant Robinson, Christian Volesky and newcomer Nevello Yoseke.
The Club also strung together two different five-match unbeaten runs this season, each with a draw…