Pro soccer: Union shutout on the road by Loudoun United FC

LEESBURG, VIRGINIA — The month of May has not been kind to injury beset Monterey Bay FC

Yet, despite a four-game winless streak, including Saturday's 3-0 loss to Loudoun United FC, the Union remains in third place in the United Soccer League Championship's Western Conference.

The Union played the second half a man down in a driving rainstorm after Anthony Orendain earned a pair of yellow cards and an ejection.

Monterey Bay FC was missing six players due to injuries and personal reasons, including two-time team Defensive Player of the Year Kai Greene, who missed his first game since 2022.

With Tristan Trager and Alex Dixon out — the team's two leading scorers over the past two years — the offense struggled to find any continuity against Loudoun United FC, which snapped a five-game winless streak.

The Union, who have dropped their last three road games, including a loss to Sacramento in the Lamar Cup US Open, have been shutout in four of their past five matches.

Despite its offensive struggles, Monterey Bay FC (4-4-2) remains tied for third in the Western Conference with Orange County and Phoenix Rising with 15 points.

Defending Western Conference Champion Sacramento is one of two teams still unbeaten in the USL at 5-0-5.

Orendian and Xavi Gnaulati both made their debuts in the starting lineup for the Union. Monterey Bay FC went into the match 2-0-0 lifetime against Loudoun United FC.

Monterey Bay FC remains on the road, visiting the Hartford Athletic in Connecticut on Friday at 4:30 pm Live streaming of the match will be available on ESPN+.