February 10, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Monterey Bay FC News Release
SEASIDE, California – Monterey Bay F.C. tops USL League One side Central Valley Fuego FC 2-1 at Cardinale Stadium in the first preseason match of the 2024 campaign. Kai Greene scored his first goal as a member of the Crisp-and-Kelp with a first-half header off an assist from Chase Boone before MBFC2 alum and open tryout invitee Miguel Guerrero recorded a go-ahead goal of his own in the second half to help the Union to a preseason-opening victory.
Monterey Bay came close to scoring right out of the gates when Luther Archimède pounced on the ball early in the 3rd minute, but his shot aimed at the bottom left corner was saved by the outstretched arm of the visiting goalkeeper and cleared out for a corner kick. Five minutes later, Boone fired a shot on goal from inside the box, but his attempt aimed at the top left corner was denied by the goalkeeper. Mobi Fehr had an opportunity of his own moments later, but his shot from the six-yard box was saved. While on the front foot, Archimède and Boone teamed up on another counter in the 11th minute, but the pass aimed for Boone inside the box was caught by the keeper. Monterey Bay opened the scoring in the 15th minute of the match when Boone looped the ball into a dangerous area inside the box and Greene rose up, flicked it backwards with his head over the keeper and across the line to give the Crisp-and-Kelp the 1-0 lead. Chuy Enríquez had an opportunity at the end of a long run down the left side by Boone, but his shot missed just over the crossbar. Then in the 38th minute, the visitors equalized with an awkward ball in from a long set piece that deflected off a Monterey Bay F.C. defender and into the back of the net to bring the match to 1-1 at the halftime break.
The Union made eight changes to the lineup to start the second half. The visitors looked to take the lead in the 57th minute when a turnover resulted in a Fuego FC forward rounding the goalkeeper for a seemingly easy tap in, but the ensuing shot was cleared off the line by a Monterey Bay defender. Three minutes later, second-half substitute Guerrero curled a right-footed shot around the goalkeeper and inside the far post to put the Crisp-and-Kelp back in front 2-1. The home side saw another chance on frame in the 65th minute, but the snap header was saved at the line. Central Valley created an opportunity a couple of minutes later, but the shot was…