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Real Monarchs

Real Monarchs Continue Tour Saturday at Orange County Blues

June 17, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Real Monarchs News Release


SANDY, Utah - Real Monarchs SLC (4-6-4, 16 pts) are back in action Saturday night at Orange County Blues, with an 8:00 p.m. MT kickoff. Head Coach Freddy Juarez' road-weary team had captured eight road points in six matches prior to dropping back-to-back one-goal decisions against Sacramento last week.

Recent road performances had given the Monarchs a lift entering the back half of a seemingly interminable road swing, with Saturday's match the ninth in a run of 11 consecutive games away from Rio Tinto Stadium. Two of the matches - including last Saturday's Reno-hosted match - are considered "Monarchs On Tour" home games, as the Monarchs return to Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday, July 2, hosting Vancouver Whitecaps 2 at 7:00 p.m. MT now that the Sandy venue's field resurfacing is complete.

The Monarchs look to rebound from a pair of losses to Sacramento last week, as FW Adam Jahn snapped a 201-minute shutout streak for GK Lalo Fernandez and the Monarchs defense in Wednesday's 0-1 loss, Jahn scoring the game-winner Saturday at Reno to completely erase the Monarchs' 1-0 halftime lead via Ricardo Velazco.

In the last non-Sacramento contest, Velazco - with five goals and two assists in his previous five matches - scored twice to bring the Monarchs back from a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw at the University of British Columbia's Thunderbird Stadium, earning USL Player of the Week honors.

Head Coach Freddy Juarez' team started its second USL campaign strong out of the gates with a 2-0-1 record through the first three matches, but has won just twice since - last weekend at Vancouver, 1-0, and in a 3-1 comeback win over the Orange County Blues at Ute Field on the University of Utah campus on May 21. The Monarchs are seeking to garner more road momentum, as the club's solid performances at Vancouver brought the club's road record to 2-2-2 entering the back-to-back matches against Sacramento.

The general public sale for 2016 Monarchs season tickets is ongoing. In addition, Real Salt Lake season ticket members can join the Crown Club (www.RSL.com/tickets/Crown-Club) by adding Real Monarchs season tickets for as low as $48, including exclusive Crown Club benefits. The Rio Tinto Stadium box office is open Tues.-Fri., 10a-6p; more information can be found online at www.RSL.com/Monarchs/Schedule or via the Fan Relations Hotline at 801-727-2702.

How to Follow Real Monarchs @ Orange County Blues

- Coverage Begins: 8:00 p.m. MT

- Web Stream: www.RSL.com/Monarchs // www.USLsoccer.com

- English TV: n/a

- English Radio: n/a

- Spanish Radio: n/a

- Online: The @RealMonarchs Twitter feed provides updates

2016 REAL MONARCHS NOTES

MONARCHS @ Orange County Blues - Sat., June 18, 2016 - 8:00 p.m. MT

THIRD OF FOUR "MONARCHS ON TOUR" GAMES IN THE BOOKS: Last Saturday, the Monarchs traveled to host rival Sacramento Republic FC at Greater Nevada Field in Reno, Nev., site of the USL's 2017 expansion side. Following the 1-2 loss in Reno, the Monarchs return to Clyde Field in Orem for the fourth and final "On Tour" match on Friday, July 22 against Arizona, celebrating Pioneer Day Weekend prior to RSL's home match that evening at Rio Tinto Stadium against San Jose Earthquakes.

VELAZCO EARNS PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS: With two goals in the Monarchs' comeback effort to earn a 2-2 draw against Vancouver on May 26, MF Ricardo Velazco earned USL Player of the Week honors. After falling behind 2-0 in the first half, Velazco scored just before halftime, then again in the 53rd minute to score the road draw against the unbeaten Whitecaps FC 2. He now has five goals and two assists in the last four matches. For more on Velazco's award, click here.

ACOSTA RECEIVED U.S. CITIZENSHIP A MONTH AGO: On Monday, May 20, RSL MF Danilo Acosta - who has appeared in six games for the Monarchs this season, playing 288 minutes thus far - received his U.S. citizenship in a Salt Lake-based ceremony, prior to traveling to Oklahoma City for the Real Monarchs match against the Energy.

OREM NATIVE ORELLANA OPENS UP AFTER HOT STREAK: In the home opener back on March 26, it was a stoppage-time goal by 88th-minute substitute FW Maikon Orellana that captured 3 points for the Claret-and-Cobalt side. The former El Salvador youth international struck again in the 3-3 draw against LA Galaxy II at home on April 2, then again supplied the game-winner last Saturday in the 1-0 win at Tulsa, only the second time in organizational history that both the Monarchs and RSL won on the same day. Inspired by Head Coach Freddy Juarez, Orellana talks about his path to Utah, his time at the RSL-AZ Academy and more in this week's Monarchs podcast with Matt Gaschk. Listen here.

SCHULER STAYS IN RSL FAMILY, JOINS MONARCHS: Over a month ago, the Monarchs announced the signing of former Real Salt Lake DF Chris Schuler, keeping the six-year MLS veteran at Rio Tinto Stadium for the 2016 season while he continues to rehab a foot injury that ended his 2015 year after just five matches with RSL (and two with the Monarchs).

Schuler, 28, played six seasons with Real Salt Lake after being selected in the third round, 39th overall, in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. He played 80 matches in six seasons, highlighted by his career-best 25 appearances in 2014.

COMPLETE 2015 USL STATS PACKAGE: Complete League, Team and Individual Statistics for the 2015 USL season, including those for Freddy Juarez' Real Monarchs side, can be found by clicking and downloading HERE:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1qbf59dlcjf5llc/AACznFUBA1nCkk2f30QW6hana?dl=0

MONARCHS SEASON PREVIEWS: For complete Monarchs coverage and information, please visit www.RSL.com/Monarchs, including a season preview from Matt Gaschk - "ªbit.ly/1RDPVq7 "ª - as well as a recent ESPN700 AM #OnFrame - http://www.rsl.com/post/2016/03/23/onframe-march-22-2016 - which includes interviews with Monarchs DF Chris Schuler and HC Freddy Juarez by RSL analyst Brian Dunseth, along with an overview of the club's preseason trip to Costa Rica - http://www.rsl.com/post/2016/03/14/monarchs-prepared-second-season-costa-rica-trip.

The Salt Lake Tribune's Chris Kamrani also took a look at what drives the Monarchs in the club's 2nd season - https://t.co/l5CarN7hnR - and how the RSL / Monarchs relationship has evolved for 2016 - https://t.co/6ggAumbvKB - with takes from both Juarez and RSL boss Jeff Cassar.

2016 REAL MONARCHS SLC MINI-BIOS (as of April 25, 2016)

MF AMASS AMANKONA #16

Height: 5' 7''

Weight: 150

Birth Date: August 2, 1995

Birthplace: Kumasi, Ghana

College: Dayton

Amankona, 20, was picked 46th overall in the third round of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. He scored 23 goals with 18 assists in 61 matches at Dayton over three campaigns, including 13 goals and five assists in 23 matches in 2015. A native of Kumasi, Ghana, he was named Atlantic 10 Conference Most Valuable Player and Midfielder of the Year. A semifinalist for the MAC Hermann National Player of the Year honor, Amankona, was also voted to the NSCAA All-American Second Team.

SCOUTING REPORT: ""He brings what you want from a number 10; quickness, agility, very technical ... He can create things out of nothing ... Should add a little bit of a different flavor than we maybe had at times last year ... Always smiling, he enjoys the game, he enjoys life, and that's always good to have in the group ... Very creative on the ball, able to create opportunities for both teammates and himself, a player that uses his lack of size to his advantage ... Good vision for the game ... A difference-maker in college, with highest-scoring team in NCAA, and he was best player on the team ... conference player of the year ... Something special about how he plays the game ... Dynamic #10 with a silky-smooth touch and ability to unlock defense with a sense of vision like that of none other than Javier Morales."

DF TYLER ARNONE #19

Height: 5' 10'' 2015 USL STATS: 20 GP, 11 GS, 1912 min.

Weight: 168 lbs. 0 goals, 0 assists

Birth Date: November 1, 1991

Birthplace: Long Island, New York

College: Michigan

Arnone spent his youth career with New York Hota and Albertson SC before signing a letter of intent to play college soccer at St. John's University. After redshirting his freshman year in 2010, Arnone decided to transfer to the University of Michigan, where he made a total of 74 appearances for the Wolverines and tallied 10 goals and 14 assists. He finished his career eighth all-time in school history in assists and matches played. While in college, he also played in the Premier Development League for Long Island Rough Riders.

SCOUTING REPORT: "very hard worker, doesn't do anything flashy, but everything solid ... has bite ... can play in multiple positions ... great attitude, teammates love him ... worked with Waibel at Michigan ... came in late ... earned trust of coaches and teammates, worked his way into lineup last year despite missing preseason and early part of campaign ... a testament to the word blue-collar, Arnone epitomizes what a team player should be ... mr versatile or Captain America, as he's known in the locker room, has the ability to play in the midfield as well as the full back positions ...

FW ANDREW BRODY #17

Height: 5' 10''

Weight: 135 lbs

Birth Date: May 3, 1995

Birthplace: Las Vegas, Nevada

College: Louisville

Brody, 20, was a standout with the RSL-Arizona Academy before enrolling at Louisville, where he found instant success. In three seasons with the Cardinals, he notched nine goals and 15 assists in 61 matches. As a freshman, he was a Second-Team All-Conference selection after tallying three goals and eight assists in 20 matches. He followed that up with three goals and four assists in 22 matches as a sophomore and three goals and three assists as a junior. During his tenure with the Cardinals, Louisville went 29-22-10 with two NCAA Tournament appearances under Head Coach Ken Lolla.

SCOUTING REPORT: "What we like about him is his creativity, his work ethic and his ability to create opportunities for himself and for others ... He's elusive, he's quick, he's pretty good with the ball. He can do it as a wide guy, but centrally between the lines he's gotten much, much better as well ... creative, has a nose for making right play ... combines well to earn chances out of nothing, good motor, loves to get up and down wing ... probably has been best player in preseason, team has plan to beef him up a bit to endure the rigors of the professional game ... talent in abundance and the ability to beat players down the wing with both his pace and football intelligence ...he also has the uncanny ability to find himself in the right place to score a goal ... Andrew is a two-way, left-sided winger that continues to improve our attack ... He made a lot of progress at the collegiate level and this will be a great opportunity for him to continue that growth as we continue to evolve our player development ..."

DF JONY CAPARELLI #21

Height: 5' 9''

Weight: 148 lbs.

Birth Date: June 25, 1995

Birthplace: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Caparelli spent the 2015 season training with the Monarchs and participating in Monarchs exhibition matches, after spending time in various academies in Mexico, as well as with the Chivas USA Academy.

SCOUTING REPORT: "One of the most technical players for sure on the Monarchs and maybe along the whole club ... Been around soccer his whole life, hopefully we can help him develop in the mental aspect of the game ... Sky's the limit for him ... He's been in and out of other countries, tasting the different cultures and soccer brands and being on his own for a little bit ... Really technical talented outside back / left-sided, small, needs to bulk up ... truly has a chance to make it at the highest level ... first-team potential due to his pedigree from being around the game ... serves an incredible ball, cultured left foot ... typical South American outside back, loves to get forward, combines well on the attack ... young, but an impressive knowledge of the game, and technical ability far beyond his years, allow him to be a superb left back who will benefit this club for years to come ... watch out for his scintillating delivery of free kicks ... wicked ball-striking and service ..."

DF LENNON CELESTINO #5

Height: 6' 1" 2015 USL STATS: 18 GP, 11 GS, 915 min.

Weight: 182 lbs. 0 goals, 0 assists

Birth Date: October 2, 1991

Birthplace: Sao Paulo, Brazil

Celestino, 24, had shuttled between U.S. and Brazilian professional leagues for five years prior to his arrival with the Monarchs, making his pro debut in August, 2010, with the Puerto Rico Islanders, and playing part of 2011 with the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers. The defender/midfielder returned to Brazil in 2012 for the first of four seasons with Uniao Barbarense, prior to arriving in Utah last March.

SCOUTING REPORT: "A grizzled professional for years now by Monarchs' standards ... Will be relied upon for his experience and quality on the ball ... An amazingly competitive player that has found success in each step of his career ... Plays like a holding midfielder ... Has experience in NASL with Ft. Lauderdale, Brazilian player, broad shoulders, good technically, knows style of play in U.S., won't have to adapt, right away a leader, he should add the leadership needed in a young group ... Technical yet hard-nosed ... definitely not the most flashy, but also a young man that brings mettle to the midfield and can strike fear in opposing attackers with his crunching tackles ..."

DF DARION COPELAND #22

Height: 6' 2" 2015 USL STATS: 14 GP, 6 GS, 625 min.

Weight: 188 lbs. 0 goals, 0 assists

Birth Date: March 8, 1993

Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York

College: Alabama-Birmingham

Copeland, 23, bridged his final collegiate campaign at UAB and his Monarchs move with a training stint at Sheffield Wednesday in England. The two-year co-Captain for the Blazers embarked on his professional career seeking to hone his ability and chart a career path.

SCOUTING REPORT: "Big, strong, athletic, and raw ... He is a player that possesses natural tools and gifts that most pros take years to develop ... The challenge for Darion is to become a consistent performer by focusing on training habits and translating daily work into game day performances ... Could become a dominant defender within the club ... Good athletic player, adds physical presence, good 1v1 defender in the air and on the ground, good skill set, solid player in USL, possible future in MLS ... Athletic specimen with potential to develop into a valuable piece of back line ... an imposing centerback who loses very few aerial battles, darion is also a huge threat on attacking set pieces with his thunderous heading ability ... "

MF EDGAR DURAN #20

Height: 5' 6'' 2015 STATS: 2 GP, 0 GS, 18 min.

Weight: 148 lbs. 0 goals, 0 assists

Birth Date: May 31, 1996

Birthplace: Las Vegas, Nevada

Duran scored 24 goals in 42 games in his lone U.S. Soccer Development Academy season (2015) with the RSL-AZ Academy, tying him for ninth in the country in goals scored. The biggest highlight of Duran's season came in the U-17/18's 2-1 quarterfinal win over Shattuck-Saint Mary's, when his two goals led the team to victory and his stoppage time winner landed at Number 7 in the SportsCenter Top 10. Duran joined the club last Summer, alongside fellow Grande Sports Academy alumni Christian Herrera, Jose "Coco" Navarro, Maikon Orellana, Eti Tavares and Ricardo Velazco on the Monarchs roster as well as Real Salt Lake's Lalo Fernandez, Justen Glad, Phanuel Kavita, Fito Ovalle and Sebastian Saucedo, who played with the Monarchs last season.

SCOUTING REPORT: "very talented player that sees and does things that few others can ... academy product has produced at every level, has scored a ton of goals everywhere he's been ... likes to float underneath top line of attack ... oh boy can he strike a ball! ... youthful exuberance with a phenomenal ability to hit dead balls from distance ... quiet, likes to do his job and seeks to lead by example ...

FW KEVAUGHN FRATER #9

Height: 5' 11''

Weight: 173 lbs.

Birth Date: December 14, 1994

Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica

With his first name pronounced KAY - vonn, FW Kevaughn Frater hails from Jamaica and is on loan for the 2016 season from Harbour View F.C. of the Red Stripe Premier League. He comes to the Monarchs on a six-game goal streak and has featured with numerous Jamaica Youth National Teams, as well as inclusion with the senior "Reggae Boyz" squad.

SCOUTING REPORT: "love this guy ... could be really, really good ... he has tools you can't teach ... crazy fast, very strong, dribbles well ... pace unlike anything the Monarchs have ever seen ... a strikers' finish similar to that of Obafemi Martins ... remarkable when he strikes a ball ... A young, exciting player who is strong, fast, has tons of individual skill ... We have to help him apply that on a consistent basis in matches ... He does have a long-range shot and he can hit the ball, it's just a matter of technically and consistently whether he can put it on frame to give himself a chance to score ..."

DF MAX LACHOWECKI #18

Height: 5' 10''

Weight: 155 lbs.

Birth Date: June 30, 1992

Birthplace: Evansville, IN

College: Notre Dame

Lachowecki was the 25th overall pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, going to RSL in the second round. He played four seasons at the University of Notre Dame, starting in all 85 appearances for the Fighting Irish while scoring eight goals to go with nine assists. The 23-year-old left back had three goals and two assists as a sophomore in 2013, helping Notre Dame to the NCAA Championship.

SCOUTING REPORT: "has a motor to get up and down the flank ... very good college career, he's a winner with his experience ... athletic, hard working, unsurprising of his pedigree, brings poise and calm attitude to the pitch ... workmanlike ... We're excited with him because he comes from a very great college program and then you know they're going to come with a good mentality and a good work ethic," Monarchs Head Coach Freddy Juarez said. "Now it's just teaching him things that he's not used to seeing and hopefully he adapts."

DF RILEY McGOVERN #4

Height: 6' 2" 2015 USL STATS: 26 GP, 21 GS, 1979 min.

Weight: 175 lbs. 0 goals, 0 assists

Birth Date: October 17, 1991

Birthplace: Bartlesville, Oklahoma

College: New Mexico

McGovern, 24, joined the Monarchs a year ago after playing every minute of every game for the vaunted University of New Mexico program in 2014, after appearing in every match as a junior. The outside back demonstrated a propensity to get forward at the NCAA level, and is one of several players, coaches and administrators to hail from the Land of Enchantment in the RSL / Monarchs / academy family.

SCOUTING REPORT: "Anyone that has the success that Riley has had at one of the top performing men's collegiate programs in the country is going to do well as a professional ... Monarchs should be extremely happy to have him a part of the family now, bringing his mentality and fortitude into the locker room ... Primarily a right back, but could be used on left side ... A good kid, hard worker, physical presence, not all about size, but his size and skill would allow him to also play inside ... Riley is good on the ball, good vision, Lobo products are usually good pros with a good mentality ... Tall, athletic, outside back, who loves to fly up and down the wing, played a ton of games in college for a very good New Mexico team ..."

MF JAMES MOBERG #23

Height: 6' 1''

Weight: 185 lbs.

Birth Date: April 16, 1994

Birthplace: Modesto, California

Moberg, 22, joins the Monarchs after four seasons with the University of Washington Huskies. The 6-foot-2 midfielder appeared in 69 matches for UW, totaling 10 goals and 21 assists in four years. In his senior year, Moberg scored three goals, all game-winners, before a knee injury ended his season early. There, he played under Real Salt Lake General Manager Craig Waibel, then an assistant coach with Washington. Moberg was selected in the third round, 50th overall, by Vancouver in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft in January. In addition to his play with Washington, he was invited in the United States Under-23 College Identification camp in Carson, California, last August.

SCOUTING REPORT: "James is a midfielder, but he has qualities that we can use at center back - he's a versatile player that can give you a lot ... He'll do a solid job anywhere you put him; he's a good set-piece taker, has a good shot from distance and can provide a final ball to create opportunities for his teammates ... This group's a tight group and he'll mesh in well ... James comes from a good pedigree, we have some insight with Craig knowing him and he comes in technically sound with a very good work ethic ... He can continue to grow, but what he already brings is a good base and is something we can enhance."

FW MAIKON ORELLANA #11

Height: 5' 8'' 2015 USL STATS: 21 GP, 14 GS, 1198 min.

Weight: 170 lbs. 2 goals, 3 assists

Birth Date: November 12, 1993

Birthplace: Chalatenango, El Salvador

Orellana began his career with the RSL-AZ academy from 2010 to 2012 before joining Brøndby IF (Denmark). However, he left the club in 2014 without making a first team appearance, then joining Alianza (El Salvador) where he made 15 appearances and tallied three goals before being released by the club last Spring. Orellana was a member of the Salvadoran under-20 squad that competed at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey, later making his senior national team debut on October 10, 2014 in a 3-0 defeat to Colombia.

SCOUTING REPORT: "technical, creative player ... brings different skills from other wingers, likes to combine and keep the ball on the floor ... a popular figure in the locker room due to his good nature and lovable personality, Mikey is also a tireless worker on the pitch with an eye for goal and a super finishing ability ...

DF EMILIO OROZCO #12

Height: 6' 0'' 2015 USL STATS: 22 GP, 18 GS, 1747 min.

Weight: 170 lbs. 0 goals, 1 assist

Birth Date: April 29, 1992

Birthplace: Oxnard, California

After graduating from high school five years ago, Orozco joined Mexican Primera División side Tigres de la UANL. In March of 2012, Orozco joined NASL side Fort Lauderdale Strikers on a season-long loan (under current RSL assistant coach Daryl Shore). Orozco, now 22, has experience with United States youth international teams, playing at U-17, U-20, as well as with Tigres in Mexico before playing with Fort Lauderdale Strikers. He later signed at now-defunct Chivas USA in 2013, making no MLS appearances in that time.

SCOUTING REPORT: "good technical centerback, clean on the ball, reads the game well ... has great experience with Chivas USA ... in contrast to his partner Copeland, Emilio brings a calmness and superior technical ability to the centerback role ...

GK ERIC OSSWALD #24

Height: 6' 1" 2015 USL STATS: 8 GP, 8 GS, 720 min.

Weight: 195 lbs. 27 saves, 9 GA, 1.12 GAA, 0 shutouts

Birth Date: November 3, 1991

Birthplace: Powell, Ohio

College: Xavier

Osswald, 23, earned 2014 Big East GK of the Year honors prior to his January 2015 MLS College Combine invite, on the heels of a senior campaign that saw him set Xavier records for shutouts (11) and goals against average (0.74). Joined Monarchs just 10 days prior to season, showed well in 15-minute and 45-minute preseason stints, keeping a clean sheet in both appearances.

SCOUTING REPORT: "A very solid goalkeeper, with a big physical frame ... Eric is a broad & strong type of 'keeper ... Explosive ... Osswald has good footwork that will help defense get out of trouble ... A good shot-stopper, a player who should believe a year or two of seasoning at pro level can accelerate his development, setting him up to potentially make a jump ..."

DF JUNG YEONG PARK #13

Height: 5' 10''

Weight: 166 lbs.

Birth Date: January 22, 1993

Birthplace: Jeongeup-si, Korea

College: Kwangwon University (South Korea)

Park comes to Real Monarchs from South Korea, as the 22-year-old left back was spotted by RSL Assistant Coach Daryl Shore Head Scout Andy Williams at the InfoSport combine in Florida in January. Park previously played for Kwangwon University in Seoul, South Korea. After impressing on trial, he has signed with the Monarchs for the 2016 season.

SCOUTING REPORT: "very technical outside back, gives us a chance with the way he reads the game ... good feet, good passer ... will have to adapt to the physical American style ... definitely the most popular figure in the monarchs locker room ... park has shown that coming on trial is not just a formality but a huge opportunity to becoming a professional footballer ... he also boasts the technical ability of a first-team player, whilst remaining strong and reliable at the left back position ... has a similar playing style to that of his idol, Brazilian back Marcelo ... this kid has almost all the dimensions that we want in a left back," Juarez said. "He's technical, he's a solid one-on-one defender, he can do different things where he can come into the midfield, he can stay wide, he can take guys on one-on-one ..."

FW COLIN ROLFE #14

Height: 6' 0'' 2015 USL STATS: 25 GP, 13 GS, 1004 min.

Weight: 185 lbs. (w/ Rochester) 6 goals, 1 assist

Birth Date: February 15, 1990

Birthplace: Spokane, WA

College: Louisville

Rolfe, 25, was a first-round pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft by the Houston Dynamo. However, the Louisville product didn't make an appearance in an MLS match for the Dynamo in his one season of service. In 2014, he signed with the Rochester Rhinos and had two goals and two assists in 26 matches, 16 of them starts. He followed that up in 2015 with six goals and one assist in 25 matches, 13 of them in a starting role as the Rhinos went 17-1-10 and made appearances in all three matches off the bench to help Rochester to the 2015 USL Championship.

Rolfe played college soccer at the University of Louisville between 2008 and 2011. During his time at college, Rolfe was named NSCAA All-Great Lakes First Team in 2011, M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Finalist; Soccer America First Team; College Soccer News All-American First Team in 2010, All-Big East Conference First Team in both 2009 and 2010 and NSCAA All-American First Team in both 2009 and 2010.

SCOUTING REPORT: "the rare forward who is more than willing to put the work in on the defensive side of the ball, hard worker, ability to finish with both feet, has MLS experience after being drafted by Houston ... won title in Rochester last year in USL ... a veteran and USL champion, colin brings a workhorse mentality to the strikers role, ability to hold the ball up while also putting himself in right place to score poachers' goals ...

CB CHRIS SCHULER #28

Height: 6'4" 2015 USL STATS: 2 GP, 2 GS, 112 min.

Weight: 205 0 goals, 0 assists

Birth Date: Sept. 6, 1987

Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri

College: Creighton

Schuler, 28, played six seasons with Real Salt Lake after being selected in the third round, 39th overall, in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. He played 80 matches in six seasons, highlighted by his career-best 25 appearances in 2014. However, a rash of injuries in 2015 limited him to just five league appearances. Out of contract following the 2015 season, Schuler has been working his way back from a foot injury that prematurely ended his sixth MLS season.

"This is a good transition point. I still have something to prove and I'm thankful for the Monarchs to give me this opportunity," Schuler said. "It's great to have Craig Waibel, Jeff Cassar and Freddy Juarez supporting me and being in my corner. It definitely helps to be around familiar faces because my teammates have shown me a lot of support along the way."

SCOUTING REPORT: "Experienced, national-team caliber center back that we're excited to help ... Excited to see if we can get him healthy and get him playing back to where he was at his best ... Been out of the game for a little bit, so a lot of times when that happens and you take a step back you get that energy again, you humble yourself a little bit, you're hungry ... We're hoping a lot of things for him, helping him, getting him back, so eventually he gets back to the first team and contributes, but also the time that he's with us, he's a leader that can help the younger guys in their development ... He's a big part and we're excited to have him at training every day."

GK CONNOR SPARROW #30

Height: 6' 2''

Weight: 175

Birth Date: May 10, 1994

Birthplace: Saint Louis, Missouri

College: Creighton

Sparrow, 21, was picked with RSL's fourth pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, going 65th overall in the fourth round. He started 49 matches in three seasons at Creighton, allowing 32 goals while earning 23 shutouts after playing his freshman season at University of Missouri-Kansas City. In his senior season with Creighton, he led the Blue Jays to the Elite Eight while posting nine shutouts in 23 matches, including one in a Sweet Sixteen victory over North Carolina.

SCOUTING REPORT: "impressed first team with his preseason camp ... excellent footwork, along with safe hands that should bod well for his pro career ... "He has very good hands ... He catches balls, which a lot of times is one of the hardest thing for a goalkeeper, but he has very good hands, and soft hands where he can get hold of a ball ... He's good with his feet, so he adds things that we want from our goalkeepers ..."

MF ALEC SUNDLY #6

Height: 6' 0" 2015 USL STATS: 25 GP, 18 GS, 1619 min.

Weight: 170 lbs. 1 goal, 0 assists

Birth Date: July 8, 1992

Birthplace: San Clemente, California

College: California

Sundly, 23, spent some time with RSL during the Irvine portion of the club's 2015 preseason after being drafted a year earlier by New England Revolution (31st overall) and spending most of 2014 on loan to the Rochester Rhinos of the USL, where he amassed 25 games and more than 1,700 minutes, scoring twice. The former Cal Golden Bear is regarded as a box-to-box midfielder who can cover ground, but has shown a nose for the goal, tallying nine goals and two assists his senior year at Berkeley.

SCOUTING REPORT: "An extremely bright and promising young player ... Was a key piece of Cal's #1-ranked team three years ago ... He comes to Monarchs with a year of experience at the USL level and will be counted on to lead throughout the season ... A very good player, already has 40+ games in USL ... Juarez quickly saw leadership potential in him ... Sundly brings style of play, possession, ball on ground - all the hallmarks of RSL players ... Alec is intelligent, understands concepts ... He buys in to club philosophy and helps connect teammates to apply concepts on the field ... Valuable experience and leadership ... Very good 2-way midfielder, very good technically with ball at feet ..."

FW ETI TAVARES #7

Height: 5' 11" 2015 USL STATS: 28 GP, 10 GS, 1026 min.

Weight: 155 lbs. 3 goals, 0 assists

Birth Date: July 24, 1993

Birthplace: Guinea-Bissau, West Africa

College: Arizona Western

Tavares, 22, emigrated to the Bay Area when he was 12 after growing up during a civil war in his home country. Often described as "fearless," Tavares enjoyed a successful youth career in Windsor, Calif., before earning a spot at the RSL-AZ Academy in Casa Grande, AZ. A speedy winger / outside midfielder, Tavares was yet another Monarchs player reunited with Freddy Juarez for the USL club's inaugural season. The club's active leading returning scorer from a year ago (3 goals, following departures of Rauhofer, Welshman and Baldin), Tavares

SCOUTING REPORT: "Another one of RSL's own young products ... Had a very successful career with elite academy in Casa Grande ... An energetic and positive young player that should continue to develop ... Kid who loves challenges, thrives on that pressure ... Not as refined an attacker - yet ... Good going forward, 1v1 attacker, academy product, needs this step to further development ... Eti is a good honest player, a great kid off the field, gets along with everyone ... Tavares should help make the attack click, he'll have a few assists and score his own share of goals ... A fast, talented attacker from the Casa Grande system, Eti was the best athlete at the December combine two years ago in Arizona ... A player who likes ball at his feet, going at the defense ..."

MF ELDER TORRES #15

Height: 5' 7''

Weight: 145

Birth Date: April 14, 1995

Birthplace: La Ceiba, Honduras

Torres joins the Monarchs on loan for the 2016 USL season from Honduran side Club Deportivo Social Vida. Torres featured for the Honduras Olympic Qualifying team that played in Rio Tinto Stadium last season and helped his side secure a berth in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, after featuring as a prominent member of the Honduras U-20 squad.

SCOUTING REPORT: "raw, young central American with boatloads of potential ... hasn't figured out his best position yet, but can affect game all over park ... probably best as box-to-box midfielder ... calmness on the ball is one thing, but the ability to distribute afterwards makes the player ... A technical player, like most Central Americans, who can also play as a center mid and as a 6 or an 8 position. He's technical, he's intelligent, he fits into our style ... Has all the tools for us to hopefully cultivate, and he can contribute to the team with some of his international experience."

MF RICARDO VELAZCO #10

Height: 5' 8" 2015 USL STATS: 23 GP, 23 GS, 1912 min.

Weight: 150 lbs. 2 goals, 4 assists

Birth Date: May 26, 1993

Birthplace: Casa Grande, Arizona

College: Louisville / Cal-State San Bernardino

Velazco, 22, brought a wealth of experience in the RSL system to the Monarchs a year ago, having appeared in several reserve games and scrimmages over the years prior to his inaugural USL season, as well as earning standout accolades at his hometown Casa Grande academy. Also had professional experience with FC Tucson, a fearless playmaker who is relied upon by mentor Freddy Juarez to be a leader on the field and make the attack click. Second-leading active returning player in goals (2, behind Tavares' 3, following departures of Rauhofer, Welshman and Baldin), while also leading Monarchs in assists last season (4).

SCOUTING REPORT: "One of the best pure soccer players to come out of the vaunted RSL-Arizona academy ... Coming off a successful college career at Louisville, now ready for this challenge ... Has the ability to be a game-changing player ... Club's goal should be to continue his development, make sure that he finds consistency in his performances ... Monarchs will likely use him as a 10, but he's very versatile; could play at the 9 in college, played in midfield at 6 or 7 or 8 at academy ... Velazco likes the killer pass to set up teammates ... Helped first-year USL club with leadership, experience, goals & assists ... Another player who excelled in our academy system, enjoyed an excellent few years under Freddy at CG before going to Louisville for 2 years ... also played a full season for his hometown FC Tucson, can create for teammates and finish on his own ..."

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 17, 2016


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