SEASIDE, Calif. – Monterey Bay F.C. announced on Saturday it had signed forward Michael Gonzalez to a one-year contract. Gonzalez will be available for selection in Monterey Bay’s contest on Sunday afternoon against Rhode Island FC at Cardinale Stadium.

Gonzalez is a Fresno, Calif. native who began his collegiate career at Fresno City College in 2019. He led the team with nine assists and led the school to the 2019 California Community College Athletic Association Championship.

The 23-year-old then transferred to Sacramento State, where he made an instant impact, leading the team in points and making appearances in all 18 matches on the year. He scored his first career goal for the Hornets against Santa Clara on August 29, 2021, his first game-winner three days later against San Jose State and earned Big West Conference All-Academic Team honors in 2022. After graduation, Gonzalez joined Monterey Bay for its third preseason this past January, and performed his way into his first professional contract.

“This is something that I have been working for my entire life,” said Gonzalez. “I have always wanted to go pro and play the sport I love for a living. And I am thankful that Frank [Yallop] has given me that opportunity this season with Monterey Bay. I couldn’t be more happy with the situation I’m in. Frank and Ramiro [Corrales] first saw me at a Path2Pro combine and invited me for preseason. I didn’t know what to expect, but it has been an amazing experience.

“It’s been a big change from college to this level. The guys here really demand the best out of you every day. It was scary knowing that any day could be your last day and you could be sent home just like that, but I gave it my all and thankfully that day didn’t come. My goal this season is to get into the team and get some good minutes. I know it's going to be a hard feat to break into this starting eleven, so I am hoping that I can. That is one of my biggest goals is to have a pivotal role for the team here and help bring a trophy to Monterey Bay.”