FC Schalke 04 Announces Strategic Partnership With Monterey Bay FC to Expand U.S. Market Presence.

Roger Hampel

Image: FC Schalke 04

FC Schalke 04 has announced a new international partnership with Monterey Bay FC, establishing a structured cooperation focused on scouting, player development and knowledge exchange in the United States.

The California-based club becomes Schalke’s fourth international partner, following collaborations with VVV-Venlo, FC Aarau and SV Ried. The agreement positions the U.S. market as a strategic development platform within Schalke’s broader international network.

U.S. Market as Development Pathway FC Schalke 04

According to club representatives, the partnership will involve cooperation across sporting and structural areas, including scouting processes and youth player development frameworks.

Michael Langer, who oversees cooperating clubs within Schalke’s sporting management structure, described the American market as a potential stepping stone for young, high-upside players. The agreement reflects growing European interest in the United States as both a talent market and development environment.

Monterey Bay FC compete in the USL Championship, the second tier of professional football in the United States, and have placed emphasis on youth-oriented team building since entering the league in 2022.

Image: FC Schalke 04

Knowledge Exchange and Structural Cooperation

The partnership is framed as a bilateral knowledge exchange rather than a feeder-club arrangement. Areas of collaboration are expected to include:

• scouting methodologies

• player development systems

• structural football operations

Oliver Wyss, Chairman and Chief Soccer Officer of Monterey Bay FC, highlighted the opportunity to combine European academy expertise with U.S.-based infrastructure development.