Monterey Bay FC 1-0 El Paso Locomotive FC | USL Championship | June 21, 2026

Monterey Bay FC secured a gritty 1-0 home victory over El Paso Locomotive FC on a warm Sunday afternoon at Cardinale Stadium, with Chase Boone’s first-half strike proving the difference. The win lifted the Crisp-and-Kelp into the playoff conversation as they continued their mid-season resurgence.

Match Overview

Both sides entered the match desperate for points. Monterey Bay sat just outside the Western Conference playoff spots, while El Paso languished near the bottom of the table. The opening minutes saw a tense, midfield battle with few clear-cut chances.

The breakthrough arrived in the 34th minute when forward Chase Boone latched onto a through ball from Christian Volesky. Boone’s composed finish across the goalkeeper nestled into the bottom corner, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. It was Boone’s fourth goal of the season and a timely reminder of his finishing ability.

Defensive Solidity and Late Pressure

Monterey Bay defended their lead with discipline throughout the second half. Center-backs Kai Greene and Grant Robinson were outstanding, neutralizing El Paso’s aerial threat. Goalkeeper Carlos Herrera was called into action only once, making a sharp save from a long-range drive in the 68th minute.

El Paso pushed numbers forward in the final ten minutes but struggled to break down a compact Monterey Bay block. The visitors’ best chance came from a set piece that just missed the far post, but the home side held firm to claim all three points.

Standings Impact

The victory moved Monterey Bay FC to 7th in the Western Conference standings, just two points behind the playoff line. For El Paso Locomotive FC, the loss extended their winless run to five matches, leaving them rooted near the foot of the table with an uphill climb ahead.

Monterey Bay will look to build on this defensive performance when they travel to face Sacramento Republic next weekend.