Pro soccer: Monterey Bay FC breaks ground on stadium renovations

MARINA — The shovels are in the ground.

Renovations officially got underway Thursday at Cardinale Stadium, formerly known as Freeman Field, which will be the home for Monterey Bay FC when it begins play next spring in the United Soccer League.

The stadium, which sits on the campus of CSU Monterey Bay, will be converted into a soccer-only facility for the first-year club and will be shared by the Otters men’s and women’s soccer teams.

Cardinale Auto Group was awarded the naming rights to the historic stadium after it partnered with Monterey Bay FC on a multi-year deal.

USL President Jack Edwards was a part of Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremonies, along with team owner Ray Beshoff and CSUMB President Eduardo Ochoa.

Back in July, Monterey Bay FC debuted its teal team colors, with the franchise name becoming the Union.

“I am humbled and honored to be able to give back to this community by supporting the creation of a place that will gather our community under one banner,” Cardinale Auto Group President Joe Cardinale said.

The stadium, which was built more than 50 years ago on the site of the former Army base at Fort Ord, hosted football games and track meets in its earlier years, as well as CSUMB graduations.

More than $11 million in renovations to the facility are being privately invested by Monterey Bay FC, which will become the 32nd member of the USL.

While the franchise has yet to sign a player, it’s landed one of the top soccer coaches in America in former San Jose Earthquakes coach and two-time Major League Soccer champion Frank Yallop.

Yallop added former North Salinas High standout and Earthquakes Hall of Famer Ramiro Corrales to his coaching staff.

Naturally, rivalries are expected to come from teams rooted in Oakland and Sacramento, as well as San Diego and Orange County.

“This is a place for generations that have celebrated and played soccer,” Edwards said. “Now this community has a professional men’s soccer team to call their own.”

FIFA turf will be laid down at the stadium and the track surface that surrounded the field will be taken out to provide a full soccer field, as well as premium seating, with capacity expected to top out at 6,000.

The old cement bleacher seats will be replaced with new seating, along with new locker rooms in the fieldhouse. Lights will be installed to enable the Union to play night games.

HOK was hired to redesign the stadium. The firm created the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the Falcons, as well as the Detroit Red Wings arena and the stadium for the St. Louis MLS franchise.

In partnership with Alvarado Street Brewery, Monterey Bay FC ownership is constructing one of the largest beer gardens for a USL soccer stadium.

The USL’s partnership with ESPN+ will enable games at Cardinale Stadium to be broadcast in 55 countries.

“When audiences watch Monterey Bay FC play on their home pitch, they will need no introduction to its star player — the Monterey Bay region,” Edwards added.

The renovations, which are expected to be completed before the start of the season in April, is just one 25 new stadiums expected to be renovated or built in the USL over the next three years.