Pro Soccer: Bouda’s goal lifts Monterey Bay F.C. past Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH — At some point, the belief is its arsenal will be intact for the stretch run.

Until then, the offensive struggles for Monterey Bay F.C. — particularly on the road — continue.

However, a five-game road losing streak was left in Pittsburgh Saturday after newly acquired Ousseni Bouda scored late in the match in the Union’s 1-0 win over Riverhounds.

Bouda, who is on loan from the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer, made his first start for the Union memorable as he delivered a shot through the bottom left corner to break up a scoreless battle at the 90-minute mark.

The win vaulted the Union into the fifth spot in the United Soccer League’s Western Conference at 7-8-4, moving them into a tie with Memphis 901 FC with 25 points.

Having been shutout in seven of its previous 11 matches on the pitch, Monterey Bay F.C. returns to Cardinale Stadium to host Tulsa FC next Saturday at 7 p.m.

The Union have won their last two home matches and are 4-2-3 at Cardinale Stadium, where their home attendance is among the best in the USL.

Eight of the Union’s final 15 matches are at home. Nine of their final 15 opponents would be in the postseason if the season ended today, including five teams from the Western Conference.

The Union are still missing seven players, including goalie Antony Siaha, who entered the second half of the season leading the USL in saves with 73.

Monterey Bay F.C. also played the match without its top scorer in Tristan Trager, who missed the game for personal reasons. The sniper is sixth in the Western Conference in goals with six.

The Union showed off their depth between the pipes, as Carlos Herrera filled in admirably for Siaha in goal in recording his first shutout of the season, collecting a career high eight saves.

While Monterey Bay F.C. has struggled offensively — outshot 8-1 by Pittsburgh, it has beaten Western Conference leader New Mexico and reigning USL runner-up Charleston this season.

Pittsburgh has dealt with its own struggles offensively, seeing its scoreless drought stretched to six straight games, with just one goal in its last eight to fall to 3-9-6 in the Eastern Conference.

This was just the second meeting between the two clubs, having played to a 2-2 draw last summer at Cardinale Stadium, when former Riverhounds forward Alex Dixon scored against his old teammates.