Monterey Bay F.C. traveled to PayPal Park to take on Major League Soccer side San Jose Earthquakes in the club’s first-ever preseason friendly this afternoon.
The Union opened the scoring in the first half with a goal from forward Chase Boone on an assist from forward Chris Cortez to take the 1-0 lead. Less than a minute after the visitors took the lead, the Earthquakes’ Chofis leveled the match with a goal of his own. After another back-and-forth stretch between the sides, Monterey Bay F.C. recaptured the lead with a goal from forward Christian Volesky to move ahead 2-1 at the halftime break.
In the second half, the Union trotted out an entirely new lineup, one that included eight current trialists. Despite the away side creating several additional chances, San Jose fought its way back into the lead behind two goals from Cade Cowell and another from Jeremy Ebobisse to take the 4-2 preseason victory.
“It was our first straight 45 and I don’t think we could’ve asked for a better result,” said Boone when asked about the match. “The chemistry was there and everything’s coming together. It’s been a great preseason so far and I’m just glad that it’s showing. On the goal, it was a great pattern of play coming out of the back. Most guys got a touch on it and then it ended up in the back of the net. It was a good goal, it was special for sure.”
“The first team guys did really well in the first half,” explained Monterey Bay F.C. Assistant Coach Ramiro Corrales. “We were up 2-1 and we could’ve had that third one. For only being in training for nine or 10 days now, the pros that we have did really well to compete with them. Obviously they are a bit ahead of us fitness-wise, but I think our guys did a good job in that first half.
Corrales continued, “the second half was a little bit different with a lot of the young guys we put out there still trying out, but we did that so that they can see the true difference between the pro level and Sunday league, and I think they noticed that. There’s a big difference once you turn pro, all of the little details matter and I hope they can all learn from that.”
“Very well done, they were fantastic,” Corrales commented when asked about the goals. “The whole first half the team played really well. I’m very pleased with the guys, their attitude and their work rate. And obviously those two guys, we expect big things from them. They are good players so we’re happy.”
