Monterey Bay Held Scoreless for First Time in 2024, Falls 2-0 to Orange County SC in Irvine
IRVINE, California (Saturday, April 27, 2024) – Monterey Bay F.C. (4-2-2, 14 points) was defeated 2-0 by Orange County SC (4-1-3, 15 points) at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine. Despite 10 chances created and six shots on target overall, the Crisp-and-Kelp were held scoreless for the first time all season in a disappointing result against its in-state, Western Conference foes.
Monterey Bay F.C. earned an early corner in the match, however it led directly to a counter attack for the hosts. Christian Sorto drove the ball down the field and initiated an attack that led to a wide open Thomas Amang just outside the six yard box, but he skied his chance at an easy open net goal. However, Amang would make up for it two short minutes later with a laser from inside the box to give Orange County SC the early 1-0 lead. Monterey Bay came close to evening the score in the 13th minute on the end of Chase Boone’s low cross from the right side, but it missed everyone on the way through and bounced off the far post.
The Seasiders pushed ahead once again a minute later, but the shot by Rafa Baca – that was seemingly deflected – missed to the outside of the left post for a goal kick. In the 19th minute, a looping header from Chuy Enríquez looked dangerous for a moment, but it missed just over the top of the crossbar. Tristan Trager then had a look with a header of his own a minute later, but it was caught by the goalkeeper just under the bar. Monterey Bay continued to apply heavy pressure in the attack, leading to a whipped-in header from Carlos Guzmán in the 23rd minute that had eyes for the bottom-left corner, but it was saved by the outstretched glove of the goalkeeper. The save spilled the ball back into play towards the feet of Kai Greene and Trager, but before they could get a shot off the goalkeeper was able to cover it up. Guzmán got his head onto the end of the ball again in the 29th minute, but it was saved at the near post with a diving effort. In the 41st minute, Boone held the ball up on the left sideline and played a back-heeled ball towards Guzmàn on the overlap. Guzmán then crossed the ball into the box towards Trager, but his header missed over the bar and the half ended with the hosts out in front. Just before the end of the first half, Baca went down with an injury and was replaced by Jerry Ayon.
Nearly 30 minutes into the second half, Orange County found itself with an opportunity eerily akin to its first chance of the match and saw it end with a similar result as well as the shot by Cameron Dunbar was skied over the crossbar. Then in the 82nd minute, the hosts managed to double their lead with a goal by Ethan Zubak at the far post on the end of a counter to put Orange County up 2-0. Still pushing for its first of the match, Luther Archiméde looked to get behind the defense on a breakaway for Monterey Bay, but the play was whistled dead for a foul in the air. In the fourth of five added minutes, the visitors fired a shot on frame from inside the box to cut the lead in half, but it was blocked and the match ended 2-0 in favor of Orange County SC, leaving Monterey Bay scoreless for the first time so far in 2024.
Up Next
Monterey Bay returns home for Star Wars Night at Cardinale Stadium against Eastern Conference side Indy Eleven on Saturday, May 4. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT. The match will be broadcast locally via KION on FOX 35 (46.2 over the air, 35 Dish, 47 DirecTV and 3/702 HD Xfinity), with live streaming available on CBS Sports Golazo Network via Paramount+, the CBS Sports app, CBSSports.com, and Pluto TV.
Golden Memorial Man of the Match
Carlos Guzmán earned tonight’s Golden Memorial Man of the Match – his third such honor of the season so far – for his overall performance on the left side of the formation. Guzmán finished the night with a 78.3% passing accuracy on 46 passes and won nine total duels. In the attack, he recorded three shots, all on target, and two created two additional chances. Meanwhile defensively, Guzmán ended the contest with two clearances, two interceptions, and a tackle.
Additional Notes
- Monterey Bay F.C. midfielder Rafa Baca exited the match in the first half with an injury.
- Missing the match due to injury were Simon Dawkins (knee), Max Glasser (hamstring), Xavi Gnaulati (groin), Jesse Maldonado (knee), Anthony Orendain (thigh), and Grant Robinson (calf). Walmer Martínez was also unavailable for selection as he remains on league suspension.
Information
Date: April 27, 2024
Venue: Championship Soccer Stadium; Irvine, California
Weather: Sunny and 64 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Orange County SC 1 1 2
Monterey Bay F.C. 0 0 0
OC: Thomas Amang (Ashish Chattha) 6’
OC: Ethan Zubak (Cameron Dunbar) 82’
Lineups
Orange County SC (4-4-2): Colin Shutler; Ashish Chattha, Andrew Fox, Ashton Miles, Owen Lamb; Kyle Scott, Sofiane Djeffal (Ethan Zubak, 70’), Christian Sorto (Bryce Jamison, 57’), Brian Iloski (Benjamin Barjolo, 83’); Thomas Amang (Markus Nakkim, 70’), Cameron Dunbar
Subs not used: Duran Ferree, Benjamin Norris, Ryan Ayoub
Monterey Bay F.C. (4-1-4-1): Antony Siaha; Carlos Guzmán, Alex Lara, Kai Greene, Morey Doner (Michael Gonzalez, 87’); Rafa Baca (Jerry Ayon, 44’); Chase Boone (Ryan Dieter, 87’), Adrian Rebollar, Mobi Fehr, Chuy Enríquez (Alex Dixon, 66’); Tristan Trager (Luther Archimède, 66’)
Subs not used: Carlos Herrera, Pierce Gallaway
Stats Summary: OC / MB
Shots: 14 / 11
Shots on Goal: 6 / 6
Saves: 6 / 4
Corner Kicks: 2 / 7
Fouls: 12 / 18
Possession: 49.8% / 50.2%
Misconduct Summary
OC: Kyle Scott (caution) 21’
OC: Christian Sorto (caution) 24’
MB: Alex Lara (caution) 25’
OC: Sofiane Djeffal (caution) 52’
MB: Adrian Rebollar (caution) 54’
OC: Colin Shutler (caution) 65’
Officials
Referee: DeShun Beard
Assistant Referee: Matthew Schwartz
Assistant Referee: Fernando Fierro
Fourth Official: Servando Berna
