Monterey Bay F.C. Comes from Behind to Beat San Diego Loyal SC 3-1 at Cardinale Stadium

September 4, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Monterey Bay FC News Release

SEASIDE, California – Monterey Bay F.C. (10-14-2, 32 points) toppled Western Conference foe San Diego Loyal SC (16-7-4, 52 points) 3-1 in come-from-behind fashion at Cardinale Stadium. A brace from Sam Gleadle sandwiched a go-ahead, second-half goal from Christian Volesky to secure the Crisp and Kelp the full three points at home.

The Union earned themselves a chance early in the match in the 9th minute. Gleadle looped a ball over the Loyal SC defense and toward Chase Boone floating toward the back post. Boone then headed it back across the frame toward Simon Dawkins, but he was unable to get a touch on it and the ball continued over the endline for a goal kick. In the 17th minute, San Diego broke out on the counter and found Kyle Vassel making a run behind the Union backline, but his shot was saved by Antony Siaha with an outstretched hand after coming out to the top of the box. A minute later, San Diego found themselves with possession inside the box once again. This time, Nick Moon managed to curl a shot around the defender and Siaha on its way inside the far post. Union midfielder James Murphy fired a shot on frame from outside the box in the 33rd minute, but his shot was saved at the right post by a diving effort from the San Diego goalkeeper. Two minutes later, Murphy collected a turnover deep inside the opponents’ half and found himself one on one with the goalkeeper, but his shot missed wide of the post. In the dying moments of the half, Kai Greene fired a long ball aimed over the top of the San Diego back line that was flicked on unsuccessfully and out in front of a darting Gleadle who managed to get onto the end of it. After a touch to collect his poise, Gleadle smashed a left-footed shot into the top-left corner of the net to bring the match level at the halftime break.

San Diego earned an opportunity seven minutes into the second half, but their shot from inside the box missed wide of the post. In the 60th minute, Gleadle played Morey Doner down the right sideline. Doner then whipped a ball into the box and Volesky rose up and buried the ball into the back of the net with a header to put the Crisp and Kelp in front 2-1. Six minutes later Volesky got beyond the San Diego back line but was pulled down from behind by Kyle Adams who was shown a straight red card for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity and Loyal SC finished the match down a man. Then in the 88th minute, second-half substitute Adrian Rebollar regained possession and made a run into space on the right side of the box before cutting the ball back to the center of the box toward Arun Basuljevic. Shortly after receiving the pass, Basuljevic had the ball knocked away and it ended up loose in the center of the box. Moments later, Gleadle flew in and buried the ball into the back of the net with his left foot to extend the home side’s lead and the match ended 3-1 in favor of the Crisp and Kelp.

Up Next: In a quick turnaround, Cardinale Stadium opens its doors for a first-ever midweek match in Seaside between the Crisp & Kelp and Orange County SC on Wednesday, September 7. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT and can be streamed live on ESPN+.

Man of the Match: Sam Gleadle earns tonight’s man of the match honors with his brace, a goal in each half to propel Monterey Bay F.C. to an important three points in a tight Western Conference playoff race. In addition, Gleadle recorded one tackle, one blocked shot, and one interception on the night.

Notes:

– Hugh Roberts has now officially eclipsed the 18,000-min mark in his USL Championship career. The Maryland native remains 3rd All-Time in minutes played and is now just 1,990 mins away from reaching Taylor Mueller, the current all-time leader in the category.

– Walmer Martínez returned to the bench in tonight’s match after missing the previous six matches with a hamstring injury he suffered during the club’s win over New York Red Bulls II in July.

– Missing the match due to injury were Rafi Díaz (shoulder) and Jason Johnson (quad).

Match: Monterey Bay F.C. vs San Diego Loyal SC

Date: September 3, 2022

Venue: Cardinale Stadium; Seaside, California

Weather: Sunny and 66 degrees

Attendance: 3,208

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F

Monterey Bay F.C. 1 2 3

San Diego Loyal SC 1 0 1

SD: Nick Moon (Charlie Adams) 19′

MB: Sam Gleadle 45′

MB: Christian Volesky (Morey Doner) 60′

MB: Sam Gleadle 88′

Lineups:

Monterey Bay F.C. (4-4-1-1): Antony Siaha; Grant Robinson, Hugh Roberts, Kai Greene, Morey Doner; Simon Dawkins (Adrian Rebollar, 82′), James Murphy (Hunter Gorskie, 82′), Mobi Fehr, Chase Boone (Arun Basuljevic, 76′); Sam Gleadle; Christian Volesky ((Seku Conneh, 89′)

Subs not used: Carlos Herrera, Walmer Martínez, Chris Cortez

San Diego Loyal SC (3-5-2): Koke Vegas; Elijah Martin, Kyle Adams, Grant Stoneman; Thomas Amang, Nick Moon, Alejandro Guido (Andrew Carleton, 75′), Collin Martin, Charlie Adams (Jack Metcalf, 74′); Jack Blake (Tumi Moshobane, 65′), Kyle Vassell (Camden Riley, 68′)

Subs not used: Duran Michael Ferree, Morgan Hackworth, Evan Conway

Stats Summary: MB / SD

Shots: 16 / 12

Shots on Goal: 5 / 5

Saves: 4 / 2

Corner Kicks: 5 / 1

Fouls: 15 / 14

Possession: 47.0% / 53.0%

Misconduct Summary:

SD: Kyle Adams (dismissal) 66′

Officials:

Referee: Matt Thompson

Assistant Referee: Stephen McGonagle

Assistant Referee: Peter Hanson

Fourth Official: Gustavo Barrientos

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