Pro Soccer: Union’s slide continues in falling to Hartford

SEASIDE — It was hopeful that a significant homestand would cure what has ailed Monterey Bay FC for eight straight weeks for a potential postseason run.

Instead, the Union have sunk to the bottom of the Western Conference of the United Soccer League Championship, as a winless streak was extended to eight matches Saturday after a 4-0 loss to Hartford Athletic.

With five matches left in the regular season, the Union are skating on thin ice, sitting six points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Owners of three consecutive setbacks in which it has been outscored 7-1, Monterey Bay FC is 0-6-2 in its last eight matches, the third worst winless streak in the franchise’s four-year existence.

Hartford, which will face Sacramento for the USL Jägermeister Cup title next month, has all but clinched a spot in the postseason, having gone 9-1-3 in its last 12 matches on the pitch.

Since occupying first place during the first month of the season, the Union (6-13-6) has slid 12 spots in the Western Conference, with three of their final five opponents playoff bound.

It’s been over two months since the Union won a match, beating Orange County 2-1 on July 11. In fact, two of their four USL wins this year have come against their Southern California rivals, including their only road win this season.

Four of the Union’s final five matches are at Cardinale Stadium, where despite Saturday’s loss, are 5-4-2 home. The four-goal loss was their worst setback of the season.

Having won 12 matches in their inaugural season in 2022, the Union have fallen in the win column in each of their four years and are in danger of finishing with the franchises worst record ever.

Monterey Bay FC was held scoreless for the 12th time this year in USL play, this time by former goalie Antony Siaha, who led the league in saves last season while a member of the Crisp and Kelp.