OAKLAND — Failing to hold a second half lead for the second straight game was not as damaging Saturday for Monterey Bay F.C. as it salvaged a tie with Oakland 2-2 to remain tied for the final two playoff spots.
With three matches left in the regular season, the Union and Oakland are tied for the seventh spot with 41 points. The top eight teams in the United Soccer League’s Western Division advance to the playoffs.
Lurking in the shadows of both teams is El Paso (11-12-7), who sits in ninth, but just one point behind the Union (11-12-8) and the Roots (11-11-8). Monterey Bay F.C. has played one more game than both El Paso and Oakland.
The Union have road games in San Diego and Brimingham before closing the season at Cardinale Stadium against Orange County. All three of their opponents would be in the playoffs if the season ended today.
The Union are a combined 0-2 against San Diego and Orange County this season.
Unable to hold a two-goal lead in last Wednesday’s loss to San Diego, and a one-goal lead Saturday at Oakland cost Monterey Bay F.C. potentially five points. A win is worth three points, while a tie gathers just a point.
Hugh Dixon produced his single season team record 11th goal for the Union in the third minute, while Sean Okoli added a goal in the 64th minute. The Roots earned a draw by tying the match in the 90th minute.
That’s the second time in as many games that the Union — who went 0-1-1 against Oakland this year — have given up a game tying goal in the later stages of the match.
Source: https://www.montereyherald.com/2023/09/23/pro-soccer-union-plays-oakland-to-a-draw/
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