SEASIDE >> Seeing their playoffs hopes dashed earlier in the week, the final two matches of the season for Monterey Bay F.C. are being treated as more of an audition.

The disappointment of failing to reach the postseason for the third straight year could signal changes in 2025 for the Union, who dropped their home match 1-0 Saturday to Colorado Springs.

The club changed its coaching staff on July 31 but that didn’t change the results on the pitch, as the Union were just 1-6-4 under new coach Jordan Stewart.

At 8-15-10, the Union will finish with their lowest point total in their three-year existence, regardless of next week’s season finale in Tulsa in the United Soccer League Championship.

The Union went a record 11 consecutive matches without a win, going from July 6 through Oct. 4 before beating defending USL champion Phoenix on the road.

While a win and a tie in its previous two matches gave Monterey Bay F.C. a heartbeat, the three-month winless drought put them in a hole too big to climb back into playoff contention, as it can finish no higher than 10th in the Western Conference.

Injuries crippled the Union all season, particularly the offense, where their leading scorer Tristan Trager missed his fifth straight game, while franchise single-season goal record holder Alex Dixon also missed Saturday’s match.

The Union went into their final home match at Cardinale Stadium ranked 22nd among 24 teams in the USL with 28 goals, having failed to produce a goal in 13 matches.

Coincidentally in the Union’s last match with Colorado Springs, they dropped a 1-0 decision. This was the first time in six matches that the visiting team won.

The Switchbacks are one of eight teams in the Western Conference heading to the postseason at 14-12-7, sharing the third seed with one match left.

Somewhat overshadowed in the frustration of failing to make the postseason was the effort of the Union’s defense all year, anchored by the team’s two-time defensive MVP in Kai Greene.

Monterey Bay F.C. held eight teams without a goal this season, with goalkeepers Antony Siaha and Carlos Herrera among the league leaders in save percentage. Siaha, who hasn’t played in six weeks, still leads the USL in saves with 102.