Real Monarchs SLC Fall at Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0

April 21, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Real Monarchs News Release

St. Petersburg, Florida - Real Monarchs SLC (4-1-0, 12 points, West 3) fell to the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0 in the lone match against an Eastern Conference opponent this season. The loss is the first in 2018 for the Monarchs.

The first half saw both teams pick and choose its times to push forward as tight defense was of the essence for both sides. The Rowdies found the breakthrough when midfielder Joe Cole tapped the ball into an open goal after 40 minutes to secure the 1-0 lead for the Rowdies going into halftime.

The Monarchs pressed for the game's equalizer in the second half but surrendered a historic Georgi Hristov goal in the 70th minute to steepen the climb towards a comeback. The goal solidified the victory for the Rowdies, handing the Monarchs its first loss of 2018.

UP NEXT: The Monarchs will open the doors to its brand-new 5,000 seat home at Zions Bank Stadium for the first time on April 30 when it takes on Las Vegas Lights FC. Kickoff in Herriman is set for 7:00 p.m. MT.

GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:

TBR: Joe Cole, 40th minute: After dispossessing Monarchs defender Michael Gallagher in the defensive third, Cole was in 1v1 with goalkeeper David Ochoa. Ochoa saved the initial shot but on the second time of asking, Cole rounded Ochoa to an open net, tapping home the opening goal.

TBR: Georgi Hristov (Joe Cole), 70th minute: A giveaway from the Monarchs inside the defensive third saw the ball fall to Joe Cole who played in Hristov inside the area. Hristov fired a low shot to far post, beating Ochoa for the game's second goal and a goal that tied the all-time Rowdies scoring record at 57.

KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:

SLC: David Ochoa, 52nd minute: A quick counter attack by the Rowdies was thwarted by Ochoa who was quick off his line to cut out a through ball intended for Georgi Hristov.

NOTES:

RSL Academy product David Ochoa earned his first professional start in goal for the Monarchs in the loss against the Rowdies.

The match against the Rowdies was the only cross-conference match in 2018 for the Monarchs and the first trip to an Eastern Conference team in its history.

The loss was the first for the Monarchs in 2018 as the best-ever start to a season ends for the Utah club at 4-1-0.

Match: Real Monarchs SLC at Tampa Bay Rowdies

Date: April 21, 2018

Venue: Al Lang Stadium; St. Petersburg, Florida

Attendance: 6,027

Weather: Partly cloudy and 82 degrees

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F

Real Monarchs SLC 0 0 0

Rowdies 1 1 2

TBR: Joe Cole, 40'

TBR: Georgi Hristov (Joe Cole), 70'

Lineups:

Real Monarchs SLC (4-3-3): David Ochoa; Andrew Brody (Ricky Lopez-Espin, 71'), James Moberg, Michael Gallagher, Kalen Ryden; Justin Portillo, Charlie Adams, Sebastian Velasquez; Josh Heard (Masta Kacher,60'), Chandler Hoffman (Juan Ignacio Mare, 78'), Maikel Chang

Subs not used: Jake Leeker, Konrad Plewa, Karsten Hanlin, Jose Hernandez, Juan Ignacio Mare,

Tampa Bay Rowdies: (4-2-3-1): Cody Mizell; Kyle Curinga, Hunter Gorskie, Neill Collins, Zac Portillos; Lance Rozeboom, Joe Cole, Marcel Schafer; Michael Nanchoff (Jochen Graf, 80'), Georgi Hristov (Max Lachowecki, 84'), Leo Fernandes (Sebastian Guenzatti, 69')

Subs not used: Akira Fitzgerald, Tamika Mkandawire, Jack Blake, Junior Flemmings

Stats Summary: TBR/SLC

Shots: 6 / 7

Shots on Goal: 3 / 2

Saves: 2 / 1

Corner Kicks: 6 / 4

Fouls: 11 / 8

Offside: 8 / 5

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:

TBR - Hunter Gorskie (caution) 35'

SLC - Kale Ryden (caution) 45'

TBR - Joe Cole (caution) 51'

SLC - Justin Portillo (caution) 59'

OFFICIALS:

Referee: Daniel Gutierrez

Assistant Referees: Trent Vanhaitsma, Jamie Willis

4th Official: Madzid Coric

United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 21, 2018

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