Three post 90th-minute goals from Monterey Bay’s Christian Volesky, Hugh Dixon, and Samuel Gleadle secured the club’s victory over their USL League 1 host, Central Valley Fuego FC, to advance Round Three in the 2023 US Open Cup. While Fuego was from the division below Monterey, both clubs played with high energy and passion that kept both teams deadlocked in regular time and did not swing in anyone’s favor until the 97th minute in extra time.
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— Monterey Bay F.C. (@MontereyBayFC) April 6, 2023
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#USOC2023 pic.twitter.com/9g5UOInF5D
At kickoff, the two sides did not waste any time in demonstrating their aggression when a yellow card was issued in the 2nd to Monterey’s Alejandro Lara, then a Fuego yellow card in the 30th minute to Mouhame Dabo. While the ball never found its way in the back of the net in the first half, a goal attempt made by Fuego’s Diego Casillas almost had the supporter stands erupt with celebration in the opposite end of the pitch in the 30th minute, only to be called back for offsides.
At the start of the second half, both clubs showed aggression; with five yellow cards being shown — three belonging to Fuego. By the 89th minute, both clubs were not budging to concede and it looked like the match would be forced to extra time.
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— Monterey Bay F.C. (@MontereyBayFC) April 6, 2023
Seven minutes into extra time Volesky — who subbed on in the 78th minute in place of Jason Johnson — was assisted by Dixon. Thirteen minutes later Dixon himself doubled the lead for the Union. While Fuego was down two goals, Zahir Vazquez — who was subbed on in the 90+1st minute to relieve David Diaz — found the back of the net in the 116th minute to assure Monterey that Fuego would not go down without a fight.
The surge from the crowd, though strong, was short lived when Samuel Gleadle banged in the third goal for Monterey in the 120+1st minute to seal the deal for Monterey Bay to advance.
