The Bay Cities Football Club launched its preseason on Monday, Feb. 14, with an open practice held at Red Morton Park. Forty prospective players reported to its first minicamp. After the minicamp, the team will invite 15 players to sign as members of its inaugural roster for the regular season.
Since its founding in early 2021, Bay Cities has been working towards launching its inaugural season, slated for Spring of this year. The club was officially admitted to the NISA League in January, making it San Mateo County’s only professional sports organization. According to its website, the mission of the Bay Cities Football Club is to bridge the Bay Area community through a passion for professional soccer.
“We are the Peninsula’s home team, and we are ready to earn the love and support from our community. Our team is made up of players from our neighborhoods, schools, and youth clubs,” said Co-Founder Ivan Martinez. “Our goal is to provide pathways to professional playing opportunities for emerging talent.”
The team recruited an impressive roster, both on the pitch and in the front office. Founder and President Anders Perez spent seven years as the General Manager of Redwood City-based youth soccer club Juventus Academy. Other coaching staff includes Eddie Hernandez and Christian Dean. Dean, a Palo Alto native and UC Berkeley alum who spent the last eight years playing professional soccer in the MLS and USL leagues, joins as a coach and a player in the upcoming season. Hernandez, current Technical Director for Fremont Rush Soccer Club, rejoins the staff after leading the team at the ‘21 NISA Independent Cup.
The minicamp roster includes a few rising stars from local youth clubs. Alejandro Caracheo, a Redwood City native, impressed the coaching staff with his performance as a Goalkeeper. Perez said, “Alejandro represents what we are looking to do for young players in Redwood City and the Bay Area— a chance to launch their professional careers in soccer.”
From the inception of forming the Bay Cities soccer team, the founders, mission, and vision has aimed to build a club reflective of all Bay Area communities, to empower and create opportunities for underrepresented professional soccer players and to provide a platform to elevate diverse athletes to meet their fullest potential. The club also wants to deliver uplifting experiences for the community and inclusive game-day experiences.
Bay Cities will face off against the Sacramento Republic in Sacramento on Feb. 22. Then, they will compete against the Mexican national farm team, the Xolos Tijuana, on March 19 in its first home game at Sequoia stadium.
Season tickets are available for purchase, starting as low as $130, while single-game tickets range from $15 to $25. Preseason matches are free and open to the public.
Photo courtesy of J.Lo Photography for Bay Cities Football Club
