USL Monterey Bay FC

MBFC Launches U-18 Development Academy

Published on February 5, 2024 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Monterey Bay FC News Release


SEASIDE, California - Monterey Bay Football Club (Monterey Bay F.C.) has announced today that the Club is adding a U-18 Development Academy as it approaches the next phase of the Club's overarching program and continues to build out its pathway to the professional level within the local community. Following a fantastic first season for the Club's USL League Two side MBFC2, the implementation of a year-round Development Academy will dive even deeper into identifying talented young players in the tri-county area and provide them with additional opportunities.

"We're excited to build on the strong success we had with MBFC2 last season and officially launch our Development Academy as a continued commitment of focus to identify and develop the local youth soccer players in our community," said Monterey Bay F.C. Club Development Officer Neil Diaz. "Creating a program that allows players to be brought into the MBFC family and work at our facilities and train with our staff is an exciting opportunity for us. We have a lot of local talent here as MBFC2 showed us last year, and with three of those players being invited to train with our first team this preseason, we are seeing the results of a truly palpable pathway for our talented young players to be exposed to the professional game."

Players who are selected for MBFC's newly-formed Development Academy will be invited to participate in professional, high-level training throughout the year and will receive opportunities to progress internally through the Monterey Bay Football Club Player Pathway. Players will train with and play under the Club's professional coaching staff throughout the year. The individual chosen to lead the MBFC Development Academy will be announced at a later date, and will be supported by other members of the MBFC and MBFC2 coaching staffs.

"We are thrilled to begin this incredibly important phase in the MBFC journey," said Monterey Bay F.C. President Mike DiGiulio. "Seeing one of our first visions for our club come to reality is very exciting. Our commitment to being a club built with the community and for the community with a focus on the youth of Monterey County continues to be the driving force behind who we are and what we do."

This program is not intended to compete with any existing local club or program, so participants must prioritize their club programs first. Players will remain with their own clubs and attend training and games when their schedule allows them to. Additional announcements regarding the program will be made in the coming weeks. Visit www.MontereyBayFC.com/academy for more information.

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