Monterey Bay F.C. Positional Preview: Forwards
by Eli Corona & Steven Vargo
With the home opener on the horizon, the final positional preview is here. This time, it is a breakdown of the forwards. The front line for Monterey Bay F.C. has also seen change over the offseason. Chase Boone, Christian Volesky, Jesse Maldonado and Jason Johnson have re-upped from last season, and the Club added the services of experienced forward Alex Dixon from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Fans can continue to expect Boone and Volesky to score their fair share of goals, and the addition of Dixon should provide the Crisp and Kelp with even more fantastic opportunities on goal.
Chase Boone
Boone struggled with injuries throughout the campaign, but was the standout player last season in the attacking third when healthy. His 2.66 touches in the opposition’s box per 90 minutes along with a significant performance in expected goals (xG) shows his ability to make the most of any chance he is afforded. Fans will remember his incredible tight angle goal at home against Colorado Springs, and they can look forward to more spectacular finishes from Boone in 2023.
Alex Dixon
While at the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC last season in the Eastern Conference, Dixon averaged 1.81 shots taken per 90 minutes, a number topped only by Simon Dawkins in the Union’s current squad. Dixon’s ability to create chances for himself will be invaluable this season along with his team play. An experienced player in the USL Championship, Dixon is currently ranked 22nd all-time in goals, 15th all-time in assists, 13th all-time in games played and 9th all-time in minutes played in league history. He recorded six assists last season to add to his career total of 31, and fans can hope for a similar contribution for the Crisp and Kelp this year.
Jason Johnson
Newly re-signed, Johnson joined the Union in the middle of the Club’s inaugural campaign in 2022. Riddled with injury woes, Johnson struggled to find his footing in the group, but showed flashes of brilliance when fit. Now coming off of a healthy preseason, Johnson is ready to make his mark with the Crisp and Kelp in year two.
Jesse Maldonado
20-year old youngster Maldonado is coming off his first professional season in which he showed brief glimpses of his technical ability when given the chance last season. After finishing the season with his first professional goal in the final match of the campaign, Maldonado will look to earn the chance to impress more often in 2023.
Christian Volesky
Over the course of the previous season, Volesky emerged as the first-choice striker for MBFC. The 30-year-old brought an impressive goalscoring resume to Seaside (currently 18th all-time in USL Championship history) and contributed seven goals and two assists after locking down the position in late May. Volesky averaged 2.12 shots per 90 minutes and tallied a total xG average of 8.54, both of which suggest that the striker will strongly compete for the team’s top-scorer accolade this year.
The Club created previews for each position group going into 2023. Each breakdown can be read here:
