Real Monarchs SLC Concede Late, Fall 1-2 at Rio Grande Valley FC

September 9, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Real Monarchs News Release

EDINBURG, Texas - Real Monarchs SLC (17-9-2, 53 points, 1 West) lost its third straight match on Saturday night, falling to Rio Grande Valley Toros FC 1-2.

Controlling the possession early, the Monarchs only gave two clear chances at goal for the Toros as DF James Moberg slid to save a sure goal in the match's early stages to keep the score level. The Monarchs found the breakthrough when DF Konrad Plewa's thunderous header beat Toros goalkeeper Tyler Deric in the 26th minute. The visitors nearly added to its tally in the 38th minute when MF Maikel Chang rifled a shot off the bar before being cleared by RGV as the Monarchs entered the halftime break a goal to the good.

After a dominant performance in the first half, the Monarchs fell off in the second, conceding more chances and ultimately allowing the RGVFC to level the match in the 71st minute when Aldo Quintanilla tucked the ball home. Just six minutes later, the hosts took the lead when Todd Wharton's freekick went untouched and skipped through the box past GK Jake Leeker for the go-ahead goal.

The Monarchs fought for the equalizer and nearly found it through second half substitute FW Juan Ignacio Mare but his effort deflected out for a corner. Leeker would come up big late in the match to deny the Toros again, but his efforts weren't enough as the Utah side fell 1-2.

UP NEXT: The Monarchs will now host Saint Louis FC in USL's Game of the Week on Wednesday, September 12th at 8:00 p.m. MT. The match will be carried nationally on ESPN3.

GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:

SLC: Konrad Plewa (Sebastian Saucedo), 26th minute: A corner kick whipped in from Saucedo forced Toros goalkeeper Tyler Deric to stay on his line without collecting the cross. Plewa ran into the area unmarked and headed home his second goal in as many games.

RGV: Aldo Quintanilla (Todd Wharton), 71st minute: A low corner kick from Wharton skipped past all Monarchs defenders before landing at the feet of Quintanilla at the top of the six-yard box. Quintanilla latched onto the cross, slamming a shot into the roof of the net.

RGV: Todd Wharton, 77th minute: After winning a free kick 40 yards from goal, Wharton drove a low ball into the box. The ball skipped through the entire penalty area before bouncing off the wet surface to wrong-foot Monarchs goalkeeper Jake Leeker for the go-ahead goal.

NOTES:

- The Monarchs have now fallen in three straight matches for the first time since the 2016 season. This is the Monarchs sixth consecutive road loss.

- DF Konrad Plewa scores in his second straight match.

Match: Real Monarchs SLC at Rio Grande Valley FC

Date: September 8, 2018

Venue: H-E-B Park; Edinburg, Texas

Attendance: 3,058

Weather: 92 degrees and sunny

Scoring Summary 1 2 F

Real Monarchs SLC 1 0 1

RGVFC 0 2 2

SLC: Konrad Plewa (Sebastian Saucedo) 26'

RGV: Aldo Quintanilla (Todd Wharton) 71'

RGV: Todd Wharton 77'

Lineups:

Real Monarchs SLC (4-2-3-1): Jake Leeker; Adam Henley, James Moberg (Kalen Ryden, 63'), Konrad Plewa, Danilo Acosta; Pablo Ruiz (Justin Portillo, 73'), Jack Blake (Juan Ignacio Mare, 80'), Jose Hernandez; Maikel Chang, Chandler Hoffman, Sebastian Saucedo

Subs not used: Rafael Guerrero, Andrew Brody, Charlie Adams, Josh Heard

Rio Grande Valley FC (4-2-3-1): Tyler Deric; Manuel Padilla, Conor Donovan, Kyle Adams, Sheldon Sullivan; Todd Wharton, Nicolas Perea, Pablo Aguilar (Luis Gil, 67'), Jesus Enrique; Aldo Qintanilla (Robert Castellanos, 85'), Carlos Small (Bryce Marion, 56')

Subs not used: Nico Corti, Brandon Morales, Jorginho James, Wilmer Andres Cabrera

Stats Summary: RGV/SLC

Shots: 20 / 17

Shots on Goal: 8 / 5

Saves: 4 / 6

Corner Kicks: 8 / 11

Fouls: 11 / 8

Offside: 5 / 2

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:

RGV - Manuel Padilla (caution) 45'

SLC - Justin Portillo (caution) 76'

OFFICIALS:

Referee: Luis Guardia

Assistant Referees: Matthew Rodman, Joe Pickens

4th Official: Jacob Zuniga

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