Monterey Bay - Sporting Jax

Reaction with defeat for Sporting JAX in California

The light blue team from Jacksonville found the tie in the second half, but could not sustain it and fell 2-1 against Monterey Bay FC, this Wednesday in the USL Championship at Cardinale Stadium.

By Oliver Gonzalez · June 11, 2026

Reaction with defeat for Sporting JAX in California

Once again, Jacksonville's light blue team arrived in California with the intention of seeking its first victory in the USL Championship, but the game became difficult for them from the 19th minute, when Joel García put the local team ahead with a right-footed shot from the side of the area, after an assist from Ilijah Paul.

As has happened in almost all of their commitments, Sporting JAX had to row from behind. Although it was difficult to generate clarity during the first half, the team improved in the second half and began to find spaces with the entry of Wan Kuzain and the participation of Edgardo Rito in the offensive zone and the saving saves of goalkeeper Christian Olivares.

The reaction and the reward came in the 70th minute. Wan Kuzain received an authorization from Rito that allowed him to kick from mid-distance, but it was rejected by the local goalkeeper, however, Kieran Sadlier, one of the most constant names in Sporting JAX's attack, appeared on the right and crossed the goal to score 1-1. The goal seemed to open another game for those led by Liam Fox, who even had a chance to take the lead.

But when they were having their best moment in the game, Monterey Bay once again lowered expectations for the visitors. At minute 80, Riley Bidois took advantage of a stopped ball action and, after a series of rebounds inside the area, scored the final 2-1 from very close to the Olivares goal.

In the final minutes, Sporting JAX insisted with shots from Rafferty Pedder and Harvey Neville, but were unable to rescue even a point in California.

The defeat leaves another bitter feeling for Sporting JAX, which showed reaction and competed until the end, but returned to fall short on decisive details.

This is the ninth defeat for the team led by Liam Fox in 12 games and which has accumulated three points as a result of three draws. They are last in the Eastern Conference table.

The team will now return to Jacksonville with little room to complain, because this Saturday they will host Detroit City FC at Hodges Stadium.