USL Real Monarchs

Real Monarchs Draw 1-1 with Tulsa Roughnecks in First-Ever Meeting

August 9, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Real Monarchs News Release


SANDY, Utah - Real Monarchs SLC drew 1-1 at home against the Tulsa Roughnecks in the clubs' first-ever meeting at Rio Tinto Stadium Saturday night, as FW Emery Welshman provided his third goal of the season, on DF Jordan Murrell's first career assist. Freddy Juarez' team was unable to hold on to the early lead, however wasn't enough as Roughnecks FW Sammy Ochoa battled back to earn the game-tying goal before halftime.

Juarez rolled the exact same lineup as his July 11 squad that defeated Austin Aztex 3-1, while included on the bench was the club's latest signing, MF Edgar Duran, another RSL-AZ Academy product. Also back for Juarez was FW Garrett Losee, earning a spot in the 18 after leading scorer Max Rauhofer was issued a 5-game suspension earlier this week.

In the first 30 minutes, the Monarchs controlled tempo and possession, while the visitors seemed content to sit back and wait for a breakaway.In the 13th minute, Monarchs' DF Emilio Orozco switched the ball to the near side where DF Jordan Murrell brought it down nicely, slotting it through to FW Emery Welshman. The Guyanese international paused at the top of the penalty box, took his shot, and bent it around the keeper to put Monarchs up 1-0 early in the first half.

Only 14 minutes later, the Roughnecks equalized. Murrell was caught out of position when Tulsa earned a throw in, Mata taking it to the endline and crossed back toward the top of the box where FW Sammy Ochoa was unmarked.MF Lucas Baldin challenged him and DF Darion Copeland stepped up to make the block, but Ochoa's shot was direct and beat GK Eric Osswald.

The final minutes of the first half saw Welshman nearly score again, with three more chances on goal. His closest chance came as a cross came through the entire Tulsa defensive line fell to the striker's feet. His shot beat the keeper but was stopped on the line, keeping the score knotted 1-1 heading into half.

In the second half the visitors increased its intensity on the pitch, fighting for the ball and outshooting the Monarchs, 6-2, in the final 45 minutes, forcing 4 saves out of GK Osswald, enabling the home side to capture a point.Juarez elected to hold on to all of his substitutions until the final 10 minutes of the match: telling reporters post-game "I liked the performance from the players on the field. [The players] on the pitch all stepped up the intensity."

Real was unable to earn all three points but did maintain its draw despite two corners in the final seconds and a plea from the Roughnecks for a penalty.Monarchs will head on the road next week facing Tulsa Roughnecks again on Thursday, August 13th and then a quick turnaround to face Oklahoma City Energy on Saturday, August 15th. The team will finish off its 3-game road trip at Sacramento Republic on Saturday, August 22nd before returning home to face Colorado Switchbacks on Wednesday, August 26th.

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