February 22, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Monterey Bay FC News Release
SEASIDE, California – Monterey Bay Football Club (Monterey Bay F.C.) announced today that the Club has signed 22-year-old midfielder Pierce Gallaway, a Carmel native, to a one-year contract with an option for 2025, pending league and federation approval. For Monterey Bay, Gallaway adds size and depth to the squad both in the midfield and on the back line as a central defender. His signing also signifies two landmark firsts in the Club’s record books; Gallaway is now officially the first-ever open tryout participant to be invited to camp and earn a professional contract, and the first player to make the jump to the first team from the Club’s lower-division side, Monterey Bay F.C. 2 (MBFC2).
“I am very honored to represent my community and play for my hometown team. Being from the area makes this achievement even more special, especially knowing that I will have friends and family at Cardinale Stadium every game,” Gallaway expressed. “Having come through the whole process here, it is truly a full circle moment for me. Since the club began the growth has been huge and has done amazing things for the local soccer community. This organization has given me a platform to reach my dreams of becoming a professional soccer player and I won’t be the last.”
He continued, “my experience with MBFC2 last summer was awesome. Being able to play for Ramiro [Corrales] and with many teammates I had known from my youth years made for a successful season. Playing in USL League Two is an important step for any aspiring pro, so playing for the second team really helped me prepare for the next level.”
Gallaway was an integral part of MBFC2’s inaugural season in USL League Two, helping lead the team to the NorCal Division title and a playoff spot in the team’s first season in existence. He was a major fixture on the back line for the Salinas-based, U-23 side last summer before playing a full season with Old Dominion University in NCAA Division I last fall. Gallaway then took part in Monterey Bay’s third annual open tryouts in January, where he was one of five players to receive an invite to participate in preseason with the first team. From there, Gallaway has used every training session, closed-door scrimmage, and preseason match over the past month to officially solidify himself into Head Coach Frank Yallop’s plans.
“We’re happy to add Pierce into the team,” said Yallop. “He is a local…
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