USL Real Monarchs

Real Monarchs SLC Falls to Switchbacks FC for the Fourth Time in 2015

June 14, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Real Monarchs News Release


Colorado Springs, Colorado (Saturday, June 13, 2015) - Real Monarchs SLC has faced its Rocky Mountain rival four times this season, but has yet to earn a point against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC after a 2-1 defeat at Sand Creek Stadium on Saturday. The Switchbacks went up 2-0 within the first 30 minutes of play and the Monarchs battled back but a PK conversion wasn't enough to earn a point on the road.

The Monarchs started with the ball and had the majority of possession throughout the first half. MF Alec Sundly and MF Lennon Celestino had the first two shots to test the keeper from distance but GK Samir Badr easily corralled them. In the 11th minute DF Jordan Burt beat DF Riley McGovern around the outside and sent a ball along the end line. FW Mike Seth's shot was blocked but fell to Switchbacks MF Miguel Gonzalez who scored his sixth goal of the season.

Colorado Springs doubled its lead in the 30th minute when MF Shintaro Harada took a shot from 30 yards out and beat GK Eric Osswald blasting the ball into the upper 90. Immediately, Real Monarchs put even more pressure on and just 45 seconds later almost came away with its first goal of the night when MF Ricardo Velazco placed the ball at FW Maikon Orellana's feet and he nearly tapped it in but Badr was up to the task and stopped the shot.

At the end of the first half Real had a series of three corners in a row. On the third corner Harada was whistled for a foul in the box and FW Max Ruahofer stepped up for the penalty kick. He converted his attempt but the ref called for a retry when one of Monarchs players jumped into the box before the spot kick had been taken. Rauhofer scored his second attempt as well sending a rocket into the top right corner and sending the Monarchs into half only a goal down at 2-1.

The second half saw Real Monarchs outshoot Switchbacks FC 3-2. The best chance came in the 60th minute when Sundly broke through a tackle and kept the ball, he juked his defender and let his shot fly which bent around the keeper but just over the bar as well.

Monarchs Head Coach Freddy Juarez elected to put more firepower on the field subbing off DF Tyler Arnone and bringing on FW Leon Brown hoping to find the match equalizer that never came. The final 10 minutes of play saw Juarez' side play 6 crosses in, 2 of which were settled for shots but the Switchbacks did enough to block both and secure its win.

Saturday was the third regular season matchup between the two clubs this year with one more at Rio Tinto Stadium on August 26th.

Real Monarchs has an 11-day break before its next match. The team will face Seattle Sounders FC 2 for the first time this season on Thursday, June 25th at 8:30 PM, just 9 days after RSL hosts S2 at Rio Tinto Stadium for the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup.

Check out the Real Monarchs Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 14, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central