MBFC2 Stays Hot, Takes Down Marin F.C. Legends 5-2 at Rabobank Stadium to Remain Undefeated
by Eli Corona
SALINAS, California (Saturday, May 13, 2023) – Monterey Bay F.C. 2 (2-0-0, 6 points) defeated Marin F.C. Legends (0-1-0, 0 points) 5-2 at Rabobank Stadium in Salinas. Taking the 1-0 lead into the break, MBFC2 exploded with a four-goal second half behind a game-winning brace from Miguel Guerrero and goals from Hugo Vargas, Anthony Orendain, and a third score of the season from Willy Miranda.
MBFC2 began the match well with an early shot from Pierce Gallaway from long range, but it sailed over the bar. MBFC2 then continued to apply early pressure on the Marin F.C. Legends to begin the match. Miranda was through on goal on the right side, but his touch was too heavy and the ball was collected by the goalkeeper. Los Dos continued to control the match in the 10th minute. Ramiro Corrales Jr. put a low cross into the box for Miranda, who unluckily took a wayward touch in space and lost possession before he had a chance to get a shot off. The visitors began to find their footing later in the half, which led to Corrales Jr. conceding a foul on the left edge of the 18-yard box. The ensuing set piece did not trouble the goalkeeper, but ten minutes later in the 25th minute a cross into the area was coolly collected by Fabian Narez, testing the goalkeeper for the first time.
MBFC2’s quality began to show, beginning with a smart through ball by Vargas. He found the run of Guerrero, who was able to finish smartly into the bottom left corner for the 1-0 lead. Just minutes later, the crossbar rattled twice in two minutes as both Vargas and Miranda had shots denied by the woodwork. Los Dos continued to threaten, and in the 35th minute Guerrero sent a curling shot from inside the box just wide of the far post. Six minutes from halftime, Alexis Sanchez played a long through ball for Miranda on the left flank, who fought through two defensive challenges and was unlucky to shoot just over the bar.
The second half began slowly, but it would only take one goal to open the floodgates. A miscontrolled ball by the Marin F.C. Legends defense in the 57th minute allowed Vargas to pounce. The midfielder won possession and tapped the ball around the keeper to set up an easy finish into an open net, stretching the lead to 2-0. Marin F.C. Legends were able to get one back just two minutes later, thanks to a low curling finish into the far right corner to bring the match to 2-1. Amazingly, only a minute after that, Guerrero lasered a shot into the top-right corner for his brace, extending the MBFC2 lead to 3-1. The long-range strike tied him for top scorer on the season so far, but Miranda would retake his lead atop the charts just three minutes later. Guerrero was fed through into space on the left flank and calmly squared it to Miranda who was unmarked at the back post for an easy finish to give the hosts a commanding 4-1 lead.
Following the goal, Gilbert Velez was substituted on for Corrales Jr., taking his spot at left back. In the 70th minute, Sanchez was unlucky to handle the ball inside the area, resulting in a penalty being converted by the Marin F.C. Legends. The woodwork seemed to attract shots from Los Dos the whole match, with Guerrero being played through on goal with a long through ball over the top, but his chip struck the post, denying him his hat trick. Orendain replaced Francisco Ponce in the 75th minute, and it would only take the substitute ten minutes to find the back of the net. Kevin Salto put a dangerous cross into the box, with the initial ball being headed up by the defender. Orendain won the ball as it fell, heading in from close range to make it five on the night for Los Dos. MBFC2 continued to threaten late, with Velez crossing long and finding Salto, who played Galloway into space in the 87th minute. The midfielder made a man miss and cut the ball back to Miranda, whose shot was blocked. Near the end of the match the post came calling again. This time for Miranda, who was in miles of space after a through ball. He stood one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his shot struck the far post and was collected by a defender and the match ended 5-2. Now, MBFC2 heads into a midweek matchup at Davis Legacy with positive momentum.
Match: Monterey Bay F.C. 2 vs Marin F.C. Legends
Date: May 13, 2023
Venue: Rabobank Stadium; Salinas, California
Weather: Sunny and 72 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Monterey Bay F.C. 2 1 4 5
Marin F.C. Legends 0 2 2
MB2: Miguel Guerrero (Vargas) 28’
MB2: Hugo Vargas 57’
MB2: Miguel Guerrero 60’
MB2: Willy Miranda 63’
MB2: Anthony Orendain 85’
