MBFC2 Secures 2023 USL League Two Nor Cal Division Title with 3-0 Win Over Project 51O
By Eli Corona
SEASIDE, California (Saturday, July 15, 2023) – Monterey Bay F.C. 2 (10-1-1, 31 points) defeated Project 510 (5-7-0, 15 points) 3-0 at Cardinale Stadium. Willy Miranda bagged a brace and Isaac Lomeli scored a goal of his own to secure the 2023 USL League Two Nor Cal Division title for MBFC2 in the Salinas-based development club’s inaugural campaign.
MBFC2 began the match well, threatening down the middle with Hugo Vargas-Rios registering the first shot of the contest with a first-time effort over the bar. Then just six minutes in, Miranda put the home side ahead with a well-placed, low finish into the far corner. In the tenth minute, Los Dos doubled their advantage thanks to Miranda once again. The number eleven picked up the ball in space on the left flank and drove forward before squaring the ball across for the onrushing Lomeli, who tapped the ball into the back of the net. Erik Lauta denied Project 510 an easy finish with a close range save in the 16th minute, ensuring MBFC2 kept a two-goal advantage. Lomeli combined well with Janos Kommerling inside the opposition area with a smart one-two, and Kommerling was only denied by the outstretched leg of the sliding defender. A handball in the box from Project 510 in the 25th minute saw Miranda convert a penalty into the bottom left corner, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and putting the hosts up 3-0. Miranda nearly bagged his hat trick in the 37th minute, but saw his shot roll just wide of the right post. Guerrero looped in a ball in the 2nd minute of first half stoppage time looking for Kommerling, who leapt to reach it and sent his effort wide of the near post.
The second half saw MBFC2 look to hold their lead, taking control of possession and controlling the pace of the match. The 56th minute saw Tamba DiMattia, Kevin Salto, and Luis Mendoza replace Jose Madrigal, Fransisco Ponce, and Vargas-Rios. Shortly after coming on, DiMattia registered two shots, both destined for goal but were blocked well by the Project 510 defense. Miranda looked set up for the hattrick in the 70th minute, but attempted the cutback to Kommerling and saw the ball cleared. Elias Bouhaja replaced Miranda and Ramiro Corrales Jr. replaced Lomeli after the chance. In the 79th minute, Fabian Narez and Albert Quintana came on for Lauta and Miguel Guerrero, marking the first time all substitutes were used in a match for Los Dos. Corrales Jr. took the ball into the box past his man in the 87th minute and looked destined to score with a low driven shot towards the near post which was only saved by the foot of the keeper. Narez recorded a good save a minute later, reaching up to stop a driven effort. The 3-0 victory thanks to a flurry of early goals secured the Nor Cal division title for MBFC2, marking a historic division championship in the club’s first season. The team will now head to the 2023 USL League Two Playoffs this coming weekend.
Match: Monterey Bay F.C. 2 vs Project 510
Date: July 15, 2023
Venue: Cardinale Stadium
Weather: Clear and 65 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
MBFC2 3 0 3
Project 510 0 0 0
MBFC2: Willy Miranda – 6’
MBFC2: Isaac Lomeli (Willy Miranda) – 10’
MBFC2: Willy Miranda – 25’
