A Brief Look Back at the Club’s Inaugural 2022 Campaign
With the 2022 season officially in the books, the club’s inaugural campaign in USL Championship has come to a close. Despite a rough 1-6-0 start with seven-consecutive games on the road due to Cardinale Stadium still being under construction to start the year, the Crisp and Kelp turned the season around starting with an undefeated month of July that led to an 8-3-4 record (28 points, 1.9 points per match) through September 24 to push the Union unexpectedly into playoff contention in the club’s first year. Though the team ultimately fell short of making the playoffs, the inaugural season was one to build on heading into 2023. In the meantime, here is a brief look back at Monterey Bay Football Club’s exciting 2022 campaign.
GAME OF THE YEAR & MEMORABLE MOMENTS
The match of the year in the Union’s inaugural campaign came in September against Eastern Conference opponent Indy Eleven at Cardinale Stadium. Coming into the match, Indy Eleven were undefeated in four consecutive matches with wins over the top seeds in either conference in San Antonio FC and Louisville City FC and an additional win and draw against playoff sides Birmingham Legion and Detroit City. But it was Monterey Bay, who entered the match on the back of two consecutive wins of their own, that would dominate the night. The Crisp and Kelp poured on five goals in a 35-minute span including two from Chase Boone, a first-ever goal from James Murphy, and two icing-on-the-cake goals from Sam Gleadle and Christian Volesky.
There were also plenty of memorable moments this season, starting with match day one in Phoenix on March 12. Though the Union ultimately lost the match, Seku Conneh scored the first-ever goal in Union history with a header, and local rookie Adrian Rebollar scored in his professional debut that night as well. Two weeks later, the club earned its first-ever victory with a last-minute, game-winning goal from captain Hugh Roberts to beat Roots SC on the road in Oakland, spurring an immediate rivalry between the NorCal clubs. Then on May 7, the club opened the doors to Cardinale Stadium for the first-ever time, and local Santa Cruz native Walmer Martinez scored the game-winning goal from distance to beat Las Vegas Lights FC in the Union’s inaugural home opener. And lastly on July 9, goalkeeper Antony Siaha made his professional debut in between the sticks for the Union on the road and recorded a clean sheet in the club’s 2-0 victory over Orange County SC, a result that began an impressive five-match shutout streak that lasted into August.
ATTENDANCE
The inaugural home opener at Cardinale Stadium took place on May 7 when the Union played host to Las Vegas Lights FC in front of a debut crowd of 5,038. The second-highest crowd in club history came three months later on August 27 against LA Galaxy II on Back to School Night in which 5,077 fans attended the match. Then, on the night of the 2022 home finale at Cardinale Stadium, the Crisp and Kelp played in front of a record, sold-out crowd of 5,705, the club’s first-ever sell out.
THEME NIGHTS
Throughout the home schedule, the club hosted eight different theme nights starting with Military Appreciation Night on May 28. June 25 was Pride Night, with appearances from local pride organizations Salinas Valley Pride and Monterey Peninsula Pride. First Responders Night was next on July 2, followed by Youth Soccer Night on July 23. Two more theme nights took place the following month with Health and Wellness Night on August 6 and Back to School Night on August 27 in which mascots and other representatives from El Gabilan Elementary School, Marina High School, Aptos High School, Monterey Peninsula College, and California State University, Monterey Bay all attended the evening. Next, the club hosted Hispanic Heritage Night on September 17 before ending the season with dual-themed Breast Cancer Awareness and Fan Appreciation Night in front of a sold-out crowd on Sunday, October 2.
COMMUNITY
Throughout the season as part of the Healthy Goals initiative, Taylor Farms pledged to donate $500 for every Union goal. By year’s end, that total reached $21,000 with Monterey Bay F.C. having scored 42 goals. Also, this season, Cardinale Automotive hosted a Kick-for-Cash game during the halftime break of a number of different home matches at Cardinale Stadium, giving away a total of $10,000 to lucky fans throughout the year. On Military Appreciation Night on May 28, Monterey Bay F.C. partnered with Coastal Roots Hospitality to donate $50,600 to Task Force Antal, a nonprofit organization specialized in crisis management and evacuation support for U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, allies, and their families. Then on Breast Cancer Awareness Night on October 2, the MBFC Team Shop began selling special-edition Breast Cancer Awareness sweatshirts, with $10 from each sweatshirt purchase being donated to the Montage Health Foundation’s Carol Hatton Breast Care Center. The club has donated $650 so far, and the sweatshirts remain available for purchase in the shop.
The Union’s 2022 inaugural season was full of firsts and memories galore, and now all eyes are on making next year even better. Excited for next season? Be a part of the story in 2023. Season tickets are available now at www.MontereyBayFC.com/season-tickets. Get yours today!
