IRVINE — Monterey Bay FC wasn't perfect in April as it failed to find the back of the net for the first time all season.
The Union's four-game winning streak ended with a 2-0 loss to Western Conference Southern California rival Orange County SC on Saturday in Irvine.
It was a historic start to the season for Monterey Bay FC. Last week's road win at Memphis briefly kept them in first place, but they fell to third place with 14 points at 4-2-2.
All of the Union's losses this season have come on the road, falling to San Antonio on the last day of March. They had won four straight in April, including a win at the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup two weeks ago.
Monterey Bay FC returns home next Saturday to host Indy Eleven before visiting Sacramento Republic on May 7th in the Round of 32 of the U.S. Open Cup.
This year, the Union is 0-2-1 when allowing two runs, 4-0-1 when holding opponents to one point or less, and has two shutouts in the best start in franchise history. .
Orange County (4-1-3) leads the Union by one point in the Western Conference of the United Soccer League Championship, while defending champion Sacramento holds a three-point lead with 18 points. They are still undefeated with 5 wins, 0 losses, and 3 draws.
The Southern California soccer club has been a thorn in the side of the Union for the past two years, losing the Union three straight and getting shutout for the second time.
During their four-game winning streak, Monterey Bay FC outscored their opponents 8-3, but fell behind in the first half for the second straight game after Orange County's Thomas Ammann scored a goal six minutes into the game.
They had six shots on goal, but a second-half charge is unlikely as Union return to the Cardinale Stadium in six days unbeaten on their home turf.
Despite the setback, the Union holds the sixth-best record among both conferences four quarters into the USL season.
