SEASIDE, Calif. – Monterey Bay F.C. announced on Wednesday the club had signed midfielder Miguel Guerrero and forwards Ryan Dieter and Anthony Orendain ahead of the club’s 2024 USL Championship season opener. All three players will be available for selection against El Paso Locomotive FC on Wednesday night (9 p.m. ET | ESPN+).

The additions of Guerrero and Orendain give Monterey Bay a total of three players who have made the transition from the club’s USL League Two squad MBFC2 to the First Team, while Guerrero also becomes the third player in club history from CSU Monterey Bay.

“As a club we are excited for Miguel, Anthony, Ryan and Pierce as well as they all embark on their professional careers,” said MBFC Development Officer Neil Diaz. “As an organization we will continue to work hard to provide opportunities for our local talent and provide support and guidance both on and off the field to help them reach their potential. The club is committed to this long-term project of development and we couldn’t be prouder of these three young men. They are all fantastic role models for our young, aspiring players.”

Dieter joins the club having played collegiately for the UC Davis Aggies from 2019-2023. The 22-year-old received an All-Big West Honorable Mention for his performance during his senior year, in which he recorded eight assists and a goal in 20 appearances. While at UC Davis, Dieter played alongside current Monterey Bay defender Max Glasser.

“I’m super excited, very grateful for this experience,” said Dieter. “It was tough at first, it was the first professional environment that I’ve been a part of. It took a little bit of getting used to initially, but as soon as I adjusted, I knew I was ready for this level. Playing with Max [Glasser] again has been great. Unfortunately, we’re on different sides of the formation now – he’s more of a right back and I’m more of a left wing, but back in our Davis days I used to play on the right with him, so this is pretty cool. Overall, I thought I did really well in preseason, so I am looking forward to contributing to the team, scoring goals and helping us win.”

Guerrero becomes the third player from CSU Monterey Bay to sign with the Crisp-and-Kelp, following in the footsteps of Walmer Martínez and Adrian Rebollar. The Redwood City, Calif. native was also a big part of MBFC2’s inaugural season in USL League Two, helping lead the U-23 side to the NorCal Division title and a playoff spot in the team’s first season in existence. Throughout his time at CSUMB, the 22-year-old started in 48 of his 61 total appearances and scored eight goals to go with seven assists.

“It’s great to sign with Monterey Bay,” said Guerrero. “I’ve been in the area with CSUMB for a while, following in that same pathway as Adrian [Rebollar] and Walmer [Martínez]. I got the opportunity to play with the second team over the summer, so that got me closer to the first team being able to get to know the guys a little bit, and getting to experience the atmosphere, to now finally signing my first professional contract. I also spent time as a member of the game day staff on first team match days, so I got to know some of the front office staff as well and that was a huge part of my experience here. I’m hoping to contribute goals and assists this season of course, but really just come out and give the most I can and bring a lot of energy.”

A native of nearby Watsonville, Calif., Orendain is another to have played with MBFC2 last season where he contributed greatly to the team’s success in its first year as a fixture at the top of the formation. Combined with his performances throughout open tryouts and the preseason, Orendain’s time as MBFC2 has paid off with a First Team contract a year later. Collegiately, Orendain played all four years at the University of the Pacific, starting in 72 of his 73 total appearances for the Tigers while adding 14 goals and eight assists.

“It’s an honor to be here. When I first heard that there would be a team in the area, I made it one of my goals to hopefully play for them one day,” said Orendain. “I’ve come here to Cardinale Stadium to watch some games with my family, so I know that it is an amazing environment and now that I am here, I am grateful. The whole environment here is amazing, the team was super welcoming from the staff to the coaches to everybody involved. My time with MBFC2 was great, we had a lot of good players on that team, a lot of talent. Pierce [Gallaway] and Migue [Guerrero] were a part of that too, and it’s great to continue with them.”