Monterey Bay F.C. opens with a draw in El Paso

Home opener Saturday

EL PASO >> There will be momentum coming back for Saturday's United Soccer League home opener for Monterey Bay F.C.

Producing a goal in the 87th minute of regulation enabled the Union to salvage a 1-1 draw Wednesday with host El Paso in their USL opener.

The Union, who are in their third year in the USL's Western Conference, will host defending USL champion Phoenix Rising on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Cardinale Stadium.

In its first two years in the USL, Monterey Bay F.C. has inched closer to the postseason, producing more points last year than in its inaugural season.

The Union are unbeaten in their past four matches against El Paso, a playoff team last season.

Alex Dixon, who set a single-season team record for goals last year for Monterey Bay F.C., was a distributor on the game-tying goal when he fed newcomer Tristan Trager for the equalizer with three minutes left in regulation.

Trager was listed as questionable coming into the match with a hamstring injury and did not make his first appearance for the Union until late in the second half.

Last year Trager played for Charleston, which fell to Phoenix in the USL Championship game.

The Union (0-0-1) recorded 20 shots in the match to set a singlematch record. The team was playing without Chase Boone, who led the team in goals and points in 2022. The hope is he'll be ready for Saturday's home opener.

Goalie Antony Siaha was sensational between the pipes in the closing minutes for the Union to preserve the tie.

Last season Monterey closed the regular season by going 0-4-1 to miss the postseason by five points.