SEASIDE—Monterey Bay F.C. announced Friday that the club has signed Watsonville native Adrian Rebollar in advance of its inaugural USL Championship campaign
Rebollar, a California State University Monterey Bay graduate, will join the club pending league and federation approval.
“This is a dream come true, honestly,” Rebollar said. “From growing up in Watsonville to playing out in Santa Cruz with the Breakers academy to playing at CSUMB. My dream was to play professionally, and now that I get to do that here in my own backyard, I am so happy.”
After spending time in the Santa Cruz Breakers Academy, Rebollar joined CSUMB in 2017. He started in 60 matches in 63 total appearances across his four seasons at the university.
Rebollar scored a career-high seven goals in 1,394 minutes in 2021. His career-high for assists in a season came in 2019 when he tallied eight, the third best season mark in the program’s history.
He recorded 16 goals and 14 assists in his collegiate career overall, including seven game-winning goals.
“We are all so proud and happy for Adrian. His preparation and hard work put him in position to have a chance as a trialist and we knew he would take full advantage of that chance,” said CSUMB Athletics Director Kirby Garry. “It is special for him to earn the opportunity to begin his professional career right here on the same campus where he developed as a four-year student-athlete in our soccer program.”
“He is a brilliant example of how our athletic department connects to the university’s vision and mission of serving the success of our students and preparing them to pursue their professional dreams while graduating with a meaningful degree.”
Rebollar, a four-time All-California Collegiate Athletic Association honoree, finished his collegiate career third in school history with 123 shots attempted.
He is also fifth in points (46), fifth in career assists (14) and seventh all-time in goals (16), including a score in his first-ever collegiate game against Notre Dame de Namur in 2017.
“The staff are extremely delighted for Adrian. It was no surprise to be fair, as Adrian has been living like a professional for the last few years in the way he conducts himself on and off the field,” said Graeme Jaap, head coach of the CSUMB men’s soccer team. “It is a testament to his hard work and incredible drive that he has signed and I have no doubt that he can go on and have a successful professional soccer career.”
“We are especially happy that he gets to continue his career close to home, as he has an incredibly supportive family who will be excited to continue to watch him play. There is no better place for him to keep improving than under Frank Yallop and Ramiro Corrales who have tremendous experience with professional soccer here in the U.S.”
The 22-year-old trained with Monterey Bay F.C. throughout the offseason and into camp. And after an impressive preseason for the midfielder, Rebollar now signs his first professional contract with the Union.
“Adrian is an exciting young local player from Watsonville who came up from the CSUMB system,” said Frank Yallop, sporting director and head coach at Monterey Bay F.C. “He made it through preseason on a trial and earned his contract. We’re happy to have him.”
Rebollar is now the second Monterey Bay F.C. player to come from CSUMB. He’ll join the club’s first-ever signing, Walmer Martínez, on the squad.
But playing together at CSUMB is far from the full extent of the Union teammates’ story.
“I’ve grown up with Adrian. We played for the same academy, went to the same university and now we’re going to be playing on the same team professionally,” Martínez said. “I’m super happy because if there’s a player that deserves it more than anyone it’s him. He works really hard, he’s determined to get better and he deserves this chance that he’s getting.”
“I’m so happy to play alongside him and be a role model to him. Whenever he needs advice he comes to me and I tell him the truth. He is always willing and eager to learn so it’s going to be great to play alongside him.”
Rebollar reflected on the pair’s history as well.
“Looking back on my friendship with Walmer, it’s actually really crazy. I’ve played with him since I was 14,” Rebollar said. “Our friendship really developed when we were in college because we were a bit older, we both had goals to play at the next level and we could really relate to each other since we are from the area. I love being around him, he’s a great person on and off the field.”
“But this should be a bit of a wake up call for everybody. There’s a lot of talent here in the 831 area and especially at CSUMB. Walmer and I are now here with Monterey Bay F.C., and we have another teammate who went on to play USL League One. I think CSUMB has been a little underrated, but it should definitely be a program to pay attention to in the coming years.”
Rebollar joins Monterey F.C. ahead of the club’s inaugural USL Championship match against Phoenix Rising FC in Chandler, Ariz. on Saturday.
And when asked about his excitement for the match, the Watsonville local credited his family’s sacrifices and support for being where he is today.
“My parents, my number one supporters, are always working. That is something I’ve learned from them,” Rebollar said. “When I was young they used to work out in the agricultural fields. They spent so much time working to make sure that we had money for rent, food and everything so that my sister and I had the opportunity to go to school and do sports. For me, that was always soccer.”
