With Monterey Bay FC’s woes continuing, the team announced on Wednesday morning, April 29, that head coach Jordan Stewart was out. He is replaced by Alex Covelo, according to a press statement released moments later.
MBFC enters the weekend’s match against FC Tulsa in a familiar spot, 12th place in the 12-team USL Championship Western Conference with a record of 0-5-2. Covelo is expected to be on the sideline Sunday.
“We expect him to have an immediate impact on our performance,” Chairman and Chief Soccer Officer Oliver Wyss said in a press statement. “He will bring a clear style of play, structure and a defined team identity to MBFC.”
Covelo previously coached for La Liga’s RCD Espanyol and the Italian side San Marino Calcio. He also assisted for the US Olympic Team in 2024. But his longest stint was with the San Jose Earthquakes, coaching at different levels in the team’s system.
The signing extends a tradition for the Union. The team, which arrived in Seaside for the 2022 season, has had ties to San Jose at the head coaching spot from the start. Longtime Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop was MBFC’s first manager. He was replaced by Stewart—who played for Yallop’s MLS side—in August 2024. Even Simon Dawkins, who served as interim head coach for one game before Stewart took over, spent a year in an Earthquakes uniform.
Monterey Bay has struggled since joining the USL Championship, never finishing higher than 11th.
Stewart departs with a record of 11-30-15 in all competitions. Yallop recorded a mark of 33-45-17 in his time at MBFC.
The Union plays host to Western Conference rival FC Tulsa (1-2-3, 10th place) at Cardinale Stadium, a 4pm kickoff.