www.montereycountynow.com JULY 24-30, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 33 SPORTS Call it the wild, wild Western Conference. A scant 3 points stand between last-place Colorado Springs and a playoff spot. Just 10 points separate Las Vegas Lights FC in 8th and the conference leaders, FC Tulsa. At mid-season, Monterey Bay FC holds down 7th in the standings with a 6-4-8 record on 22 points. But with three teams locked at 23 points, a single victory has the potential to vault them into 4th. “It’s super close,” says veteran defender Alex Lara. “You’re not out until you’re out. It’s a very exciting conference.” The Union began the season with the stated goal—spoken of as a requirement—of reaching the playoffs for the first time. But they squandered a hot start to the schedule that saw the side capture 13 of the available 18 points by mid-April to take the USL Western Conference lead. After falling 2-0 at Phoenix, followed by the team’s first home loss of the year, another 2-0 blanking (this time by Louisville City FC, on May 24) sent the team into a slide. MBFC has 6 points to show for the six matches since June 7, four of those losses. In the process, the Union lost standout goalkeeper Nico Campuzano to injury. “Short-term it’s not something you want,” head coach Jordan Stewart says. “But the bigger picture is the playoffs. In any season, you are going to go through blips. Just make sure it doesn’t determine your season.” The Union have remained inside the playoff window all season long after flirting with the top spot in the early going. Sam Gomez has stepped into the net and performed admirably, with seven saves. Defender Carlos Guzman has established himself as one of the USL’s best at launching at counterattack and up top, Anton Søjberg, Ilijah Paul, Mayele Malango and Luke Ivanovic are all threats to score. “It’s important to remember what the team is capable of doing,” Lara says. “The key thing is to stay in the fight for the playoffs.” MBFC returns to league action on Aug. 6, playing host to FC Tulsa, a side that downed them 2-1 in Oklahoma. And if there is one advantage Stewart’s squad has relied on, it’s Cardinale Stadium. The Union are 5-1-2 at home. And five of the final seven regular season matches will be played there. Monterey Bay FC vs. FC Tulsa 7pm Wednesday, Aug. 6. Cardinale Stadium, 4111 2nd Ave., Seaside. $12- $29. 324-2560, montereybayfc.com. MONTEREY BAY FC On Goal Despite recent struggles, pro soccer team Monterey Bay FC remains firmly in the playoff picture. By Dave Faries Forward Mayele Malango celebrates a goal earlier this season at Cardinale Stadium in Seaside. The team has been strong at home. Carmel Tasting Room San Carlos & 7th • 831.626.WINE (9463) Estate Winery & Tasting Room 1972 Hobson Ave, Greenfield SCHEIDVINEYARDS.COM Enjoyfriends. sips. Pouring daily from 12pm OCEAN AVE 7TH AVE 8TH AVE MISSION ST Carmel Plaza Sunset Community & Cultural Center SAN CARLOS ST DOLORES ST
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