Monarchs Head up to Pittsburgh This Weekend

Published on July 26, 2010 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Real Maryland Monarchs News Release


Silver Spring, MD - The Real Maryland Monarchs head north to face the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday, July 31st. This will be the fourth matchup between the two teams this season.

Real Maryland (3-7-7) currently sits at the bottom of the table, five points behind the last playoff spot. Pittsburgh (5-5-6) currently holds onto the last playoff spot, being one point ahead of the fourth-place Charlotte Eagles.

The Monarchs and Riverhounds played in some competitive games earlier this season. The teams kicked off their regular season with a 0-0 tie in a game that was dominated by both teams' defenses. The two clubs played to a scoreless tie in their second meeting in what was a game marred by storms and threatening weather. The Riverhounds got the best of the Monarchs in their matchup, winning 2-0 with goals from midfielder Alex Weekes and defenseman Sterling Flunder.

Real Maryland is coming off a tough fought draw against the first place Charleston Battery in a game where the Monarchs dominated possession for most of the game. However, the Monarchs' inability to put the decisive goal in the back of the net has haunted them this season; their last five games have either been draws or decided by one goal. The Monarchs will be looking to pick up three points this week and position themselves for a run for one of the three playoff spots.

The Riverhounds are coming off a southern road trip that took them through Charlotte and Richmond. Pittsburgh won a stunner against the Charlotte Eagles off a goal in the 89th minute by midfielder Chad Severs, which put them ahead of the Eagles in third place. However, the Riverhounds were overmatched by the Richmond Kickers in a 2-0 loss. This week the Riverhounds will be looking to bolster their position in the standings and help solidify a spot in the playoffs.

Real Maryland will be looking for continued stellar play from their defense, anchored by defenders Gareth Evans, Mason Trafford, Kenneth Sola, and goalkeeper Brian Levey. However, having only scored three goals in their past six games, the Monarchs will need to generate some offense from their forwards and midfielders. It will be up to points leader Benjamin Hunter and forwards David Bulow and Joel Senior to jumpstart the offense to win the upcoming games and make a run for the playoffs.

The Riverhounds will be looking to their points leaders, Severs and Weekes, to maintain the offense that has carried the Riverhounds throughout the season. They will also rely on defenseman Shintaro Harada to continue his solid defensive play, and for goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap to continue his stellar play in goal.

With the season winding down, this game is pivotal for both teams' playoff hopes. Real Maryland needs the three points to maintain hopes of a second consecutive trip to the playoffs, while Pittsburgh looks to solidify their hold on the final playoff spot.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 26, 2010


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