Monterey Bay FC fielded a brand new lineup, scored early and then drained Irvine Zeta FC with a 2-1 win in the Third Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
The newest signing for MBFC, Jerry Ayon, scored the first of two goals for the “Union” in the 32nd minute in front of family and friends from nearby Salinas, Calif., where he grew up. His brace came in the 65th minute.
Ayon was very aware of their significance. “Being able to get a brace … it means a lot to me, because I’m able to share it with the fans and my friends and family here.”
“He’s ready,” said Monterey Bay FC head coach Frank Yallop, reflecting on his decision Monday to officially sign Ayon to a one-year contract and debut him tonight. “He was training with us. He’s over his wrist injury. He was ready to go.”
Irvine Zeta didn’t have an answer for the inspired display of possession and ball control from Monterey Bay, especially in the first half between veteran Rafael Baca and newcomer Miguel Guerrero, who got his first professional start in Cardinale Stadium where he was playing college ball last fall for California State University, Monterey Bay.
Yallop, both a member of the San Jose Earthquakes and Canadian Soccer hall of fame, had a huge advantage with the availability of his regular starting forward Walmer Martinez. He is currently serving a four-game suspension in the USL Championship for an altercation after last week’s 1-0 win in Hayward, Calif. over the Oakland Roots. Tonight, the forward dropped back to play left fullback, allowing for eight changes from the team Yallop sent out in the 3-1 home win last Saturday vs Las Vegas Lights.
But it was the signing on Monday of Ayon that continued the narrative of Yallop’s unique ability to create team chemistry and winning attitudes in his squads. Ayon left Alisal High School (Salinas, Calif.) before his junior year to join the Liga MX side Morelia at age 15; he eventually got his degree while in the San Jose Earthquakes academy. For the last two years, he has been playing in MLS NEXT Pro for Earthquakes-affiliate The Town FC.
Longtime Alisal High School coach Mark Cisneros, remembers Ayon as a freshman. “In my 20 years as a coach , Jerry is one of only three freshmen I’ve ever brought up to the varsity level. He was a standout at a young age. He was fast, technical, and willing to work hard and learn.”
The match began with Irvine Zeta taking advantage of sloppy play from Monterey Bay but never really getting close to converting a shot on frame. Monterey Bay then dropped into a rhythm with the midfield dictating control and establishing an early 60-40 split in possession.
Luther Archimede missed several chances in the 18 yard box to put MBFC ahead early, but Chuy Enriquez sent a number of balls in on the left wing that frustrated Irvine Zeta keeper Mitchell North, who remarkably only recorded one save on the night.
The first goal came after MBFC had already taken six shots to Irvine Zeta’s two; one of MBFC’s shots hit the post in the 21st minute during the first corner of the night. In the 32nd minute Ayon was on the receiving end of a build-up play that started with a steal by Rafael Baca and ended with Baca putting a ball across the face of goal for Ayon’s point-blank header.
Irvine Zeta’s only real answer was in the 34th minute when Edson Alvarado sailed a powerful shot well over the head of MBFC keeper Carlos Hererra.
The second half wasn’t as clean and simple for Monterey Bay, however. By the 59th minute the Union was struggling to find the rhythm they enjoyed in the first half, and that kept Irvine Zeta in the game. By the 62nd minute George Almeida was able to take advantage of the sloppy defending and equalize on a cross from Alvarado.
Yallop countered with three subs of regular-season starters: Mobi Fehr, Adrian Rebollar and Kai Green.
Less than three minutes later, Ayon danced into the 18 yard box untouched and laced a shot past North to seal the match for good.
Gregory Stratton had to save a shot off the line in the 77th minute for Irvine Zeta, and by the time Tristian Trager entered the match in the 78th for MBFC, it was clear Irvine Zeta had run out of answers. Their last attempt in the 93rd minute never really challenged Hererra.
The third round of the U.S. Open Cup has so far favored Monterey Bay, especially at home. Last year, the USL Championship side took advantage of an uncharacteristic defensive mistake to eliminate the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 in Seaside and advance to the Round of 32.
This was Monterey Bay’s first entrance into the 2024 U.S. Open Cup. Last year, the Union were eliminated at home 5-4 in penalties in the Round of 32 against Los Angeles FC.
MBFC did have a day-advantage in preparation and recovery, having played last Saturday. Irvine Zeta got a 1-1 draw at home against Capo FC last Sunday.
Irvine Zeta, who plays in the third-division of US Soccer in the National Independent Soccer Association, earned the visit to Seaside with a decisive Second Round 3-0 win on April 4 over MLS NEXT Pro team Ventura County FC in Carson, Calif., at Dignity Health Sports Park Track & Field Stadium on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills.
In 2022, Monterey Bay faced another NISA squad in the U.S. Open Cup. It was the Union’s very first appearance in the tournament but it resulted in a second-round 2-1 loss to Bay Cities FC at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.
Irvine Zeta began their U.S. Open Cup run with a first-round 1-0 win over MesoAmerica FC at home in Championship Soccer Stadium on March 20. They only began their regular season on April 6, with a 2-2 draw away against LA Force, just two days after their second-round cup win against Ventura County.
Irvine Zeta’s Almeida, who scored one of the goals against Ventura County, actually played against MBFC’s Martinez and Rebollar back in college. Almeida played for CSU Dominguez Hills, and Martinez/Rebollar for CSUMB, where tonight’s match took place. Their last meeting was 10/29/19 here in Seaside, Calif. on the old grass NCAA field before the new stadium was renovated in 2022; Almeida’s Toros lost 3-1 to the Otters; Rebollar had an assist, and Martinez had a goal and assist.
