Monterey Bay F.C. Earns Historic Upset Win Over San Jose Earthquakes at Cardinale Stadium, Advances to Round of 32 in 2023 U.S. Open Cup
SEASIDE, California (Tuesday, April 25, 2023) – Monterey Bay F.C. advanced to the Round of 32 in the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a historic, 1-0 “cupset” victory over Major League Soccer side San Jose Earthquakes at Cardinale Stadium in Seaside. Christian Volesky pounced on a turnover and converted a chance in the first half, while the Union defense earned the first clean sheet of the campaign to keep Monterey Bay unbeaten in five consecutive matches across all competitions and the Club’s first-ever win over an MLS opponent.
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Monterey Bay F.C. earned a corner in the 15th minute of the match Sam Gleadle’s cross into the box deflected out past the end line. Mobi Fehr booted it in toward Kai Greene at the far post, who then headed it back across the box to the near post, but Jason Johnson’s header missed just to the right of the far post. On the ensuing goal kick, the Union created a turnover and Johnson found himself in space beyond the 18-yard box and another at goal, but his left-footed shot missed to the right of the post once again. Two minutes later, an errant pass by the Union back line gave the ball to San Jose’s Cade Cowell, but his solo counter attack ended with a shot over the crossbar. In the 26th minute of the match, San Jose turned the ball over near the top of their own box to Volesky, who fired it into the back of the net to give Monterey Bay the 1-0 lead. A minute later, San Jose looked to equalize with a curling shot aimed for the top right corner, but Antony Siaha’s incredible diving effort tipped the ball over the crossbar to deny the visitors the leveler and preserve the Crisp and Kelp’s lead into the break.
The Earthquakes owned the majority of the possession to start the second half. Following a spell of possession around the box in the 58th minute, Paul Marie curled a left-footed shot that missed to the left of the post. Then in the 61st, the Earthquakes attacked again with Cristian Espinoza and Jeremy Ebobisse, but Ebobisse’s shot was saved at the near post by Siaha. The Union earned a corner kick a minute later and the ball from Walmer Martínez into the mix landed at the foot of Kai Greene, but his powerful shot off the volley was saved by the goalkeeper at the far post. Second-half substitute Alex Dixon sprung the Union on the counter in the 73rd minute, but Nevello Yoseke’s shot from the right side of the box missed over the top of the crossbar. Dixon ran the Union out on another counter in the 90th minute of the match before laying the ball off to Volesky, but his left-footed shot missed wide of the far post and the match ended 1-0 in favor of Monterey Bay.
Up Next: Monterey Bay F.C. remains at home on the weekend against Rio Grande Valley FC for a second meeting between the sides this season. The match will kickoff at 7 p.m. PT on Saturday, April 29 and will be broadcast locally via KION on Central Coast CW (35.1 over the air, channel 14 Xfinity), with live streaming available on ESPN+.
Notes:
– Christian Volesky scored the first U.S. Open Cup goal in Cardinale Stadium history in the first Open Cup home match in Club history.
– Volesky has now contributed to eight of the Club’s previous 11 goals in all competitions with his score in the 26th minute of the match.
– Missing the match due to injury were Alex Lara (groin), James Murphy (hamstring), and Simon Dawkins (knee).
Match: Monterey Bay F.C. vs San Jose Earthquakes
Date: April 25, 2023
Venue: Cardinale Stadium; Seaside, California
Weather: Mostly sunny and 55 degrees
Attendance: 4,010
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Monterey Bay F.C. 1 0 1
San Jose Earthquakes 0 0 0
MB: Christian Volesky 26’
Lineups:
Monterey Bay F.C. (4-2-3-1): Antony Siaha; Grant Robinson, Hugh Roberts, Kai Greene, Morey Doner; Mobi Fehr (Adrian Rebollar 51’), Nevello Yoseke; Jason Johnson (Alex Dixon 69’), Sam Gleadle, Walmer Martínez (Max Glasser 69’); Christian Volesky (Chase Boone 90+1’)
Subs not used: Carlos Herrera, Chuy Enríquez, Ugo Okoli
San Jose Earthquakes (4-3-3): Daniel De Sousa Brito; Tanner Beason, Rodrigues, Miguel Trauco, Paul Marie (Tommy Thompson 75’); Michael Baldisimo (Carlos Gruezo 79’), Jack Skahan (Jamiro Alvarenga 45’), Jackson Yueill; Ousseni Bouda (Jeremy Ebobisse 57’), Benjamin Kikanovic (Cristian Espinoza 45’), Cade Cowell
Subs not used: JT Marcinkowski, Daniel Munie
Stats Summary: MB / SJE
Shots: 6 / 14
Shots on Goal: 3 / 4
Saves: 4 / 2
Fouls: 15 / 7
Possession: 36% / 64%
Misconduct Summary:
SJE: Miguel Trauco (caution) 32’
MB: Walmer Martinez (caution) 41’
MB: Adrian Rebollar (caution) 87’
Officials:
Referee: Christopher Calderon
