Monterey Bay F.C. announced today that the club has signed USL Championship veteran defender Hugh Roberts ahead of its 2022 inaugural campaign.
Roberts arrives in Monterey Bay as one of the Championship’s most experienced players. Over the past nine seasons, Roberts has made 203 regular-season appearances in the league, placing him 10th in its history, while also recording 15,937 minutes of regular-season action, good for third in the league all-time.
The Olney, Maryland native made his professional debut in 2013 with Richmond Kickers in the USL Championship, where he made 78 appearances across three seasons and scored two goals. In 2016, Roberts earned USL Championship All-League Team honors after starting in all 31 of his appearances. The defender then moved to Philadelphia Union II and recorded 23 blocks and one goal in 25 appearances before joining Championship side Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in 2018.
Most recently, the 29-year-old played for Charlotte Independence SC in the Championship’s Eastern Conference. Roberts found success in his three seasons with Charlotte, recording four goals and 71 blocks in 78 total matches played.
“Hugh is a very experienced central defender and has been recognized as a very strong center back in USL Championship,” explained Monterey Bay F.C. Sporting Director and Head Coach Frank Yallop. “He will add great experience to the team.”
Off the pitch, Roberts founded the USL Black Players Alliance in 2020, an organization led by Black athletes with a mission to educate and empower its members to use their platforms to positively impact their communities. Roberts is also the host of the BackyardFooty Podcast and founder of the BackyardFooty foundation.
“I’m really excited to be here honestly,” said Roberts. “It’s my first time coming to the West Coast, but on top of that it feels great to play under Frank. He has a lot of pedigree in this league, a lot of pedigree in MLS as well, and he has a good mindset. He called me a couple of times and it was great to have those conversations with him. I’m excited to be here. It’s a new club ahead of its inaugural season, and I love being a part of history.”
Before professional soccer, Roberts played at George Mason University, a Division I school in the Atlantic 10 Conference. He appeared in 70 matches, scored six goals and tallied nine assists. Roberts displayed his talent as a defender by helping the team post a .90 goals-against average in the 2012 season.
Player Information
Name: Hugh Roberts
Position: Defender
Age: 29
Height: 6’4”
Hometown: Olney, Maryland
Monterey Bay F.C. roster as of February 8, 2022:
Goalkeepers:
Dallas Jaye (Danville, California)
Rafael Díaz (Paterson, New Jersey)
Defenders:
Morey Doner (Collingwood, Ontario)
Hugh Roberts (Olney, Maryland)
Midfielders:
Forwards:
Walmer Martínez (Santa Cruz, California)
Chase Boone (Beaverton, Oregon)
Seku Conneh (Voinjama, Liberia)
Christian Volesky (Henderson, Nevada)
Christoper Cortez (Mission Viejo, California)
