USL Real Monarchs

Real Monarchs' Open Cup Run Ends with 1-0 Home Loss

Published on May 28, 2015 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Real Monarchs News Release


Sandy, Utah - Real Monarchs' 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run ended Wednesday night with a 1-0 home loss to fellow USL side Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, which has won all three league or Open Cup matches between the regional rivals.

Just five minutes into the match, Switchbacks DF Josh Philips chipped in a ball to FW Aaron King who beat DF Emilio Orozco to the ball, King slotting it home past Monarchs GK Eric Osswald for the contest's lone goal.

Head coach Freddy Juarez said of the match, "We threw everything at them but the kitchen sink. Finishing. That is what we need to work on."

MF Ricardo Velazco, who scored the game-winner for Monarchs in last week's Open Cup win at Long Island, enjoyed the majority of chances for the home side in the first half, as the Monarchs outshot Colorado Springs 8-3 in the first 45 minutes. Velazco - who celebrated his 22nd birthday Tuesday -'saw his first chance in the 13th minute, but GK Samir Badr saved his shot easily. Velazco's best attempt in 29th minute saw him slip by his defender and take another low shot from out wide. Again, Badr was up to the task but this time could only push it out for a Monarchs corner.

FW Max Rauhofer grabbed a couple chances for himself near the end of the first, too. In the 39th minute, while running down the left side of the pitch, he faked a cross that made two defenders run past him. Rauhofer's cutback gave him enough room to rip one from the edge. However, a last ditch effort by Switchbacks did enough to deflect the shot out for another corner. During the halftime break, lightning strikes in the vicinity of Rio Tinto Stadium delayed the match for 76 additional minutes, in the fifth of six home matches in which inclement weather played a factor for the Monarchs.

Following the delay, Real Monarchs came out of the locker room even more attack-minded, outshooting Colorado 11-2 in the second half. Rauhofer and strike partner Emery Welshman had several chances between them, but Switchbacks were strong defensively and able to block all but one shot. The closest chance came in stoppage time when Rauhofer shook off his defender in the six-yard box and, with a spin move, took a shot that hit the underside of the cross bar and came back out.

Real Monarchs brought up GK Eric Osswald for the match's final two corner kicks but Switchbacks cleared them easily and the referee brought the match to a close.

Real Monarchs return to league action this Saturday when the team heads to Sacramento to face the reigning USL Champions for the second time this season. In the club's previous meeting, Real Monarchs defeated Sacramento Republic FC 1-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium back on April 29th. Monarchs will be back at home next Wednesday to host Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on June 3rd at 7:00 p.m. MT.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 28, 2015


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