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12 Things to Know About Monterey Bay FC vs. Sporting JAX

Monterey Bay hopes to notch their third USL Championship in a row while their opponent looks to earn their first win of 2026

Although Monterey Bay FC lost on penalty kicks in Prinx Tire USL Cup action against Sacramento Republic this past weekend, they are still flying high after two consecutive league wins. They will look to make it three in a row on Wednesday evening when they host winless Sporting JAX. Here are 12 things you need to know to prepare for this match.

1. With a 0–3–8 record, Sporting remains the last USL Championship team without a victory this season. Although they have been outscored on the year 26–12, they have inched closer to having their first three-point contest after earning draws in each of their last two games (against San Antonio and Brooklyn).

2. Jacksonville struggles to get shots. Their 83 total shots are far and away the lowest number in USL Championship (Pittsburgh is next with 95 but have played one less game than JAX). The league average is 127. Ironically, the team is among the most efficient with the shots they do get, as they have converted 14.5% of them into goals, which is the fourth-best mark in the league.

3. Some teams like to get out and run. JAX is not among them. They’ve had only four fast breaks all season, better than only Tulsa. In fact, their attack tends to get stuck in the mud the further they move up the pitch. Completing just 62.2% of their passes in their opponent’s half (second-worst in USLC), they are still struggling to figure out what to do to complete transitions and see their runs pay off more consistently.

4. Through 11 matches, JAX are still looking for their first clean sheet. Not only that, they have allowed three or more goals five times already. They were shut out themselves in five of their first eight matches but have turned that around by scoring seven goals goals combined in their last three games.

5. Sporting JAX gives up a lot of corners. Their 62 corner kicks relinquished are tied for third-most in the league, and are 29% more than the league average. Giving their opponents such set pieces in the final third have only contributed to their misery in being the team that has yielded the most shots (186) and shots on target faced (73) in all of USL Championship. Those totals dwarf the league average of 126 and 43 respectively.

6. The match will likely have a lot of whistles. Monterey Bay (200 fouls conceded- 1st in USLC) and Jacksonville (162 fouls conceded- 6th in USLC) both play physically, if not undisciplined at times.

7. Sporting’s top goal scorer, striker Kieran Sadlier, has notched four goals and an assist. Prior to arriving in Florida, the 31-year-old spent more than a decade playing in the top tiers of Scotland and Ireland, and moving up and down between England’s League Two and Championship. He has been joined by Rafferty John Pedder of England, who came up in the Tottenham academy before making brief stops in England’s National League and English Champion. This season, the 24-year-old has three goals and an assist in seven matches.

8. Although he’s only 24, Christian Olivares has been handed the JAX starting goalkeeper job, and he has played every second in league play to date. He is massive at 6'5, and despite all the goals that have been conceded, he’s been under constant barrage because of all the shots that have been allowed by the line in front of him. After playing the past three years in MLS Next Pro, he has stopped 64.2% of the shots he’s faced this year. Not a particularly accurate passer, he has been effective kicking long, as he has completed an impressive 80 long balls already.

9. A player who has perhaps disappointed the most for the visiting club is midfielder Jordan Rossiter. He spent the past 12 seasons playing at the top levels of English and Scottish soccer, including stints with Liverpool (English Premier League) and Rangers (Scottish Premiership). Now playing in the U.S., he has completed only 73.7% of his passes and won 38.3% of his duels. He has also been dribbled by 11 times, awhich has been a liability, in the 723 minutes he has played. The team is hoping that his vast experience can overcome any physical limitations that may hinder the 29-year-old, so he will likely continue to see regular playing time.

10. Monterey Bay striker Riley Bidois has been on a heater lately, scoring at least one goal in each of his last three matches across all competitions. On top of that, his effectiveness in finding the back of the net has allowed him to force himself into the starting lineup, where he has paired nicely with fellow forward Ilijah Paul. His presence has allowed his teammate to roam more freely and use his outstanding athleticism to open up chances that were inhibited before when he was forced to play more up top.

11. After an impressive debut with his new team against Loudoun a couple of weeks ago, MBFC goalkeeper Jacob Jackson will almost certainly get another start against JAX. Fernando Delgado got the nod against Sacramento and had asubdued performance. Monterey Bay appears committed to a time-share situation right now, but the 19-year-old Delgado is viewed as the keeper of the future, with Jackson in town on loan. However, in the short term, it’s hoped that a little competition between the two players will lead to both leveling up their performances.

12. A regular starter to begin the season, center-back Kelsey Egwu had his worst outing of the season on May 8th against Lexington and then didn’t play a single second in the next three matches. He was back out there as a starter against Sacramento and turned in his best effort of the season. He completed 91 of 97 passes, including 12 into the final third. He also made five defensive contributions, won four of his six duels and contributed five clearances and three recoveries. It was a complete performance on both sides of the ball and exactly what the club hopes to see more of from him moving forward.

Monterey Bay and Jacksonville will kick off at 7 p.m. this Wednesday, June 10th. Tickets can be purchased HERE. The match will also be streamed live on ESPN+.

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