MONTEREY BAY SIGNS THREE AHEAD OF SEASON OPENER: UC DAVIS’ RYAN DIETER AND MBFC2s MIGUEL GUERRERO, ANTHONY ORENDAIN
SEASIDE, California (Wednesday, March 13, 2024) – Monterey Bay Football Club (Monterey Bay F.C.) announced today that the Club has signed three players ahead of its 2024 regular season opener, pending league and federation approval. Ryan Dieter, who was invited to participate in preseason with the team after a stand-out open tryout in January, officially joins the team alongside two members of MBFC2’s inaugural squad – Watsonville native Anthony Orendain and CSUMB’s Miguel Guerrero. The trio of additions now gives the Union a total of three players who have made the transition from MBFC2 to the first team, while Guerrero also becomes the third player in Club history from CSUMB.
“As a club we are excited for Miguel, Anthony, Ryan and Pierce as well as they all embark on their professional careers,” said Club Development Officer Neil Diaz. “As an organization we will continue to work hard to provide opportunities for our local talent and provide support and guidance both on and off the field to help them reach their potential. The club is committed to this long-term project of development and we couldn’t be prouder of these three young men. They are all fantastic role models for our young, aspiring players.”
Dieter, 22, is a Santa Rosa, California native who played collegiately for the UC Davis Aggies from 2019-2023. Dieter received an All-Big West Honorable Mention for his performance during his senior year, in which he recorded eight assists and a goal in 20 appearances (all starts). Dieter was one of five players to receive an invite to preseason from his performance in the Club’s open tryout in January, but was the only player without ties to the Union through its lower-division side or previous professional experience. While at UC Davis, Dieter played alongside current Monterey Bay defender Max Glasser.
“I’m super excited, very grateful for this experience,” said Dieter. “You go to an open tryout and you don’t expect too much, but once I got that invite I knew it was time to grind. It was tough at first, it was the first professional environment that I’ve been a part of. It took a little bit of getting used to initially, but as soon as I adjusted I knew I was ready for this level. Playing with Max [Glasser] again has been great. Unfortunately we’re on different sides of the formation now – he’s more of a right back and I’m more of a left wing, but back in our Davis days I used to play on the right with him, so this is pretty cool. Overall I thought I did really well in preseason, so I am looking forward to contributing to the team, scoring goals and helping us win.”
Guerrero, 22, becomes the third player from CSU Monterey Bay to sign with the Crisp-and-Kelp, following in the footsteps of both Walmer Martínez and Adrian Rebollar. The Redwood City, California native was also a big part of MBFC2’s inaugural season in USL League Two, helping lead the U-23 side to the NorCal Division title and a playoff spot in the team’s first season in existence. Throughout his time at CSUMB, Guerrero started in 48 of his 61 total appearances and scored eight goals to go with seven assists.
“It’s great to sign with Monterey Bay,” said Guerrero. “I’ve been in the area with CSUMB for a while, following in that same pathway as Adrian [Rebollar] and Walmer [Martínez]. I got the opportunity to play with the second team over the summer, so that got me closer to the first team being able to get to know the guys a little bit, and getting to experience the atmosphere, to now finally signing my first professional contract. I also spent time as a member of the game day staff on first team match days, so I got to know some of the front office staff as well and that was a huge part of my experience here. I’m hoping to contribute goals and assists this season of course, but really just come out and give the most I can and bring a lot of energy.”
Watsonville’s own Orendain is yet another to have played with MBFC2 last season and contributed greatly to the team’s success in its first year as a fixture at the top of the formation. Combined with his performances throughout open tryouts and the preseason, Orendain’s time as MBFC2 has paid off with a first team contract a year later. Collegiately, Orendain played all four years at the University of the Pacific, starting in 72 of his 73 total appearances for the Tigers while adding 14 goals and eight assists.
“It’s an honor to be here. When I first heard that there would be a team in the area, I made it one of my goals to hopefully play for them one day,” explained Orendain. “I’ve come here to Cardinale Stadium to watch some games with my family, so I know that it is an amazing environment and now that I am here, I am grateful. The whole environment here is amazing, the team was super welcoming from the staff to the coaches to everybody involved. My time with MBFC2 was great, we had a lot of good players on that team, a lot of talent. Pierce [Gallaway] and Migue [Guerrero] were a part of that too, and it’s great to continue with them.”
NAME: Ryan Dieter
POSITION: Forward
AGE: 22
HEIGHT: 5’11
DATE OF BIRTH: July 14, 2001
HOMETOWN: Santa Rosa, California
NATIONALITY: United States
COLLEGE: UC Davis
TRANSACTION: Monterey Bay has signed Ryan Dieter to a one-year contract on March 13, 2024.
NAME: Miguel Guerrero
POSITION: Midfielder
AGE: 22
HEIGHT: 5’4
DATE OF BIRTH: August 23, 2001
HOMETOWN: Redwood City, California
NATIONALITY: United States
PREVIOUS CLUB: MBFC2
COLLEGE: CSUMB
TRANSACTION: Monterey Bay has signed Miguel Guerrero to a one-year contract on March 13, 2024.
NAME: Anthony Orendain
POSITION: Forward
AGE: 26
DATE OF BIRTH: March 10, 1998
HOMETOWN: Watsonville, California
NATIONALITY: United States
PREVIOUS CLUB: MBFC2
TRANSACTION: Monterey Bay has signed Anthony Orendain to a one-year contract on March 13, 2024.
The current roster heading into the 2024 season as of March 13 is listed alphabetically as follows:
Goalkeepers (2): Carlos Herrera, Antony Siaha
Defenders (7): Morey Doner, Max Glasser, Kai Greene, Carlos Guzmán, Alex Lara, Walmer Martínez, Grant Robinson
Midfielders (7): Rafa Baca, Simon Dawkins, Mobi Fehr, Pierce Gallaway, Xavi Gnaulati, Miguel Guerrero, Adrian Rebollar
Forwards (8): Luther Archimède, Chase Boone, Ryan Dieter, Alex Dixon, Chuy Enríquez, Jesse Maldonado, Anthony Orendain, Tristan Trager
