SEASIDE >> Perhaps mixing it up a bit with different combinations was the recipe Monterey Bay FC needed.

Using a goal in the opening four minutes from Carmel native Pierce Gallaway, the Union opened the Jagermeister Cup with a 1-0 win Wednesday over Spokane at Cardinale Stadium.

Now in its second year, the Jagermeister Cup features 38 teams from the United Soccer League Championship and United Soccer League One.

The Union will return to USL regular season play Saturday, looking to snap a six-game winless streak when they host Orange County, a rematch from March 22, when they traveled south to post a 3-0 decision.

Despite its recent slide in the USL, in which Monterey Bay FC (4-4-4) has gone 0-3-3, it sits in fifth place in the Western Conference with 16 points, five points behind leader New Mexico United.

Two of Monterey Bay FC’s four USL losses have come from the current leaders in the Western and Eastern Conferences. It will go into Saturday’s match 3-1-1 at Cardinale Stadium in USL play.Having been shut out in its two previous USL matches, the Union put one through the net before some settled into their seats when Gallaway took a pass from Alex Lara and drilled it into the net.

The Union turned to their defense, which shut down Spokane, a member of USL One, keeping them out of the box, with goalie Sam Gomez earning his first shutout.