MBFC2 Opens 2024 Campaign with 1-0 Victory Over San Francisco City FC at Rabobank Stadium in Salinas

By Elian Corona

SALINAS, California (Wednesday, May 8, 2024) – Monterey Bay F.C. 2 (1-0-0, 3 points) secured an opening night victory by a score of 1-0 against San Francisco City FC (0-1-0, 0 points) at Rabobank Stadium. Janos Kömmerling scored the only goal of the night, latching onto a Jomar Munaf through ball down the right hand side before calmly slotting home into the bottom left corner. 

The first chance of the match would go to SF City, with their midfielder finding space in the box, but Jack Landreth was able to save it with his foot. MBFC2 found lots of space down the right hand side early on, with Francisco Ponce finding space to cross multiple times. A nice combination down the left saw Lorenzo Avalos underlap and Willy Miranda find his run, opening space for another cross towards Ethan Kelly. Louie Galdamez showed excellent composure to turn on a long ball from SF City, denying the visitors a clear one on one opportunity. In the 16th minute, the ball fell to Alexis Sanchez on the edge of the area allowing him to whip a cross into Galmadez at the back post although he could only send a shot wide. Isacc Lomeli had an opportunity to shoot from the edge of the area in the 19th minute but his first time shot sailed over the crossbar. Lomeli produced a brilliant bit of skill in the 28th minute, backheeling to Miranda who fired low, forcing a quick reaction save from the SF City keeper. Landreth showcased his own reflexes just a minute later, stopping to get a hand to a close range shot from a tight angle to keep the score level. Both sides fought for possession from that point onwards towards halftime. A yellow card was issued to Ponce in the 44th minute, bringing an end to the first half. 

SF City also had the first chance of the second half, sending a header right over the crossbar off of a wide free kick in the 49th minute. Miranda almost capitalized on an excellent MBFC2 move, latching onto a Kömmerling pass into the area and then getting past two defenders with one touch, only to be swept down by the onrushing goalkeeper for an MBFC2 penalty. The ensuing spot kick was taken by Miranda, who went low to his left. Unfortunately for the number 11, the SF City keeper guessed the same way and was able to parry the penalty away. Miranda had another shot blocked inside the area just a few minutes later as MBFC2 began to find more opportunities. Ponce was then replaced by Munaf in the 62nd minute. In the 66th minute MBFC2 would find their opener, with Kömmerling’s run from deep down the right side being picked out by Munaf. The number 7 drove towards the net and deftly placed his shot into the bottom left corner, beating the onrushing goalkeeper. Lomeli found space to cross into the area in the 70th minute, but Kelly’s header was not able to find the target. Kelly had another opportunity two minutes later, this time sending a right-footed strike inside the area over the crossbar. Kevin Salto and Bryan Lopez replaced Kömmerling and Kelly respectively in the 75th minute. MBFC2 had a golden opportunity to make it a two-goal lead in the 77th, finding themselves in a 4v2 situation, but they were unable to capitalize on their advantage on the break. Eight minutes later, Lomeli was issued a yellow card for a challenge on an SF City player. Then in the final two swaps of the night, Luis Mendoza replaced Miranda and Brandon Lopez replaced Lomeli in the 86th minute and three minutes later, Ramiro Corrales Jr. received a yellow for tugging on the opponent’s shirt. Despite San Francisco City FC’s late push for an equalizer, MBFC2 held on defensively to win the first match of the season 1-0.

Information

Date: May 8, 2024
Venue: Rabobank Stadium; Salinas, California
Weather: Sunny and 68 degrees

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F

MBFC2 0 1 1
San Francisco City 0 0 0
MB2: Janos Kömmerling (Jomar Munaf) 66’

Lineup

Monterey Bay F.C. 2 (4-3-3): Jack Landreth; Lorenzo Avalos, Alexis Sanchez, Louie Galdamez, Ramiro Corrales Jr.; Janos Kömmerling (Kevin Salto), Hugo Vargas-Rios, Isaac Lomeli (Brandon Lopez), Willy Miranda (Luis Mendoza ), Ethan Kelly (Bryan Lopez), Francisco Ponce (Jomar Munaf)
Subs not used: Erik Lauta, Edwin Moreno