Monterey Bay F.C. signs defender-winger Wednesday
SEASIDE, Calif. (KION-TV) UPDATE March 1, 2022, 11:52 a.m. -- On Tuesday Monterey Bay F.C. announced the signing of midfielder Jiro Barriga Toyama.
Barriga Toyama is a native of Panama City and spent three years with Major League Soccer's Minnesota United F.C.'s USL League One affiliate.
“I’m extremely excited to be a part of this inaugural team,” Barriga Toyama said. “I can’t wait to meet everyone, start working hard and bring a championship to our community and the supporters of MBFC. I want to thank coach Frank for this opportunity. I feel very motivated and I can’t wait to kick off the season strong.”
---
Monterey Bay F.C. latest signing on Wednesday is former San Antonio F.C. defender-winger Sam Gleadle.
The 25-year-old was born in Chichester, England and began his professional career with the USL Championship side Reno 1868, scoring seven goals and seven assists in 43 appearances with the club.
“It’s an exciting time for the city and the people here to have a brand new professional team. I know the guys are buzzing about it and so am I,” Gleadle said. “I’ve heard good things about the staff and the guys here and the culture that they are creating, so I am very excited to join and be a part of the club’s first season."
---
Monterey Bay F.C. has announced its latest signing Mondays being Oakland Roots SC defender Kai Greene, Santa Barbara native Sam Strong and Las Vegas Lights F.C. midfielder Mobi Fehr.
The 28-year-old New Jersey native joins the club after spending a successful season where he started 24 of 28 games and made the USL Championship conference semifinals.
“I’m excited to be a part of a new club,” said Greene. “It’s a new challenge. There are a lot of new, unfamiliar faces, but also a lot of familiar faces at the same time. Frank is a great guy, a great coach, I’ve heard a lot about him. He’s a genuine, stand-up guy. A guy that you want to fight for, and that you want to get results for, so I’m looking forward to competing against some teams that I’m very familiar with and taking this team to the playoffs.”
The football club also added midfielder Mobi Fehr comes from the USL Championship team Las Vegas Lights FC.
Born in New York, Fehr grew up in Japan and started his pro career in there before joining the MLS in 2013
“I am definitely excited to be here,” said Fehr. “It’s my first opportunity in a top league like the USL Championship. I’m also excited to be one of the first players in the club’s history to be on the team and help usher in the inaugural season.”
The last of Monday's signings was Santa Barbara native defender Sam Strong.
The 25-year-old began his pro career in 2018 with the USL Championship club Fresno F.C. and made 17 appearances in two seasons.
“I’m obviously very excited to join Monterey Bay F.C.,” said Strong. “I’m looking forward to playing with the boys, to playing for Frank and to playing for such a great community.”
---
UPDATE Feb. 10, 2022, 11:48 a.m. -- Monterey Bay F.C. has announced the signing of former Rio Grande Valley FC defender Grant Robinson Thursday.
The 23-year-old Columbia, Maryland native has been in the USL since making his professional debut on March 7, 2020.
“I’m really excited to be joining this club and community. I cannot wait to get out there and start working,” Robinson said. “I want to thank the coaching staff for giving me this opportunity and I’ll do everything I can on the pitch to make sure this club’s inaugural season is one to remember.
---
UPDATE 2/8/2022 at 12:06 p.m.-- Monterey Bay F.C. has signed USL Championship league veteran defender Hugh Roberts and midfielder James Murphy on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old Maryland native brings nine years of experience to the Seaside squad, clocking in 203 regular-season appearances, ranking 10th all-time in league history.
He has also clocked in 15,937 minutes of regular-season minutes, which is good for third all-time.
“I’m really excited to be here honestly,” Roberts said. “It’s my first time coming to the West Coast, but on top of that, it feels great to play under Frank. He has a lot of pedigree in this league, a lot of pedigree in MLS as well, and he has a good mindset. He called me a couple of times and it was great to have those conversations with him. I’m excited to be here. It’s a new club ahead of its inaugural season, and I love being a part of history.”
The 24-year-old Murphy was signed the same day and was born in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.
He has spent the last two seasons with the USL Championship team the Rio Grande Valley F.C. Toros and recorded five assists in his time with the Toros.
“I am super excited to be a part of something new. I know it’s going to be a big challenge for myself, all of the boys and the coaching staff,” Murphy said. “We have a really promising group. I can’t wait to get started and see all the fans in our new stadium. I’m really excited.”
For full-roster click here.
---
UPDATE: 3:20 p.m.- Monterey Bay F.C. has announced its third signing Friday as Canadian fullback Morey Doner has signed with the club.
The 27-year-old from Collingwood joins the Seaside squad after spending the 2021 season with the Canadian Premier League team the HFX Wanderers
“I’m very happy to take this step in my career with Monterey Bay F.C. next season in the USL Championship. I’m excited to show my qualities in a new league and to be a part of this project on the West Coast,” Doner said. “To work under a manager with such experience and pedigree is something I’m really looking forward to.”
---
Monterey F.C. has announced Friday two free-agent signings ahead of its inaugural USL Championship season.
Gaolkeeper Rafael Díaz, 30, of the Dominican Republic comes to Seaside after four seasons with the Sacramento Republic F.C., where he recorded nine clean sheets in 27 appearances.
Díaz also spent three seasons from 2015 to 2017 with the New York Red Bulls where he had eight clean sheets in 21 appearances.
“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to play for this new franchise in its inaugural season,” Díaz said. “I can’t wait to get to work, I look forward to meeting my new teammates and the fans.”
The club also signed 33-year-old center-forward Christopher Cortez from Mission Viejo, CA.
Cortez began his professional career with Chivaz USA in 2011 and made nine appearances with the youth academy.
Cortez then spent time with Orange County SC, Phoenix Rising FC from 2013 to 2015 scoring 49 goals in 139 appearances.
He then spent stints with Thai club Ayutthaya United in 2019, and two short stints with Denmark and the Czech Republic clubs.
“I’m very excited to be here and really excited to reunite with Frank again. He was a big reason I came here. I worked with him in Phoenix and it was fantastic, it led to some great things over there and I’m hoping to repeat that here as well,” Cortez said.
Related: Monterey Bay FC announce new signings for inaugural season
Cortez said further, “For me, I also have a bit of a connection here. My sister went to California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) and played soccer here on the women’s team, so I’m familiar with the area and that will help with the transition. Anytime I need anything I’ll know I can call her.”
Keep updated on new signings on our website.
