USL Real Monarchs

Real Monarchs SLC Heads to Florida to Face the Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on April 20, 2018 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Real Monarchs News Release


HERRIMAN, Utah (Friday) - Real Monarchs SLC (4-0-0, 12 points, 2 West) will look to defend its perfect start to 2018 with a matchup against Eastern Conference powerhouse Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday, April 21 at 5:30 p.m. MT. Head Coach Mark Briggs will lead his side into the famed Al Lang Stadium looking to capitalize on the full-three points in the club's lone match against an Eastern Conference opponent during the 2018 regular season.

The Monarchs are coming off a rain-soaked 3-1 victory over Seattle Sounders FC 2 last Wednesday in its first visit to Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Washington. The match saw MF Masta Kacher score two world-class goals before FW Chandler Hoffman solidified the scoreline to reach the best-ever start to a season in club history. For their efforts against S2, Kacher and MF Justin Portillo were named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 5 of competition, giving the Monarchs a presence on the team of the week for the past three game weeks.

Providing a potential highlight to the match against the Rowdies would be another milestone reached by FWChandler Hoffman as he continues his quest to reach 50 regular-season goals in the USL. Hoffman currently sits at 49 regular-season goals all-time, needing one more strike to become the third player in the league's modern era to reach the 50-goal mark behind Richmond Kickers striker Dane Kelly and Charlotte Independence midfielder Jorge Herrera. Kelly currently holds the top spot on the all-time scoring charts, having scored 66 goals in his career, leaving Hoffman with 17 goals to reach the summit of the scoring charts.

How to Follow Real Monarchs SLC at Tampa Bay Rowdies - Sat., April 21, 2018

- Coverage Begins: 5:30 p.m. MT

- Local TV: N/A

- Digital Streaming: RealMonarchs.com/USLSoccer.com/ESPN+

- English Radio: N/A

- Spanish Radio: N/A

With the victory over Seattle last week, the Monarchs now move within two wins of equaling the all-time best start to a season in the USL's modern era set by the Richmond Kickers in 2011 before the Rochester Rhinos equaled the record a year later. A win against the Rowdies would place the Monarchs within touching distance of the record in its first ever match at its new 5,000 seat home at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman when it faces league newcomers Las Vegas Lights FC on April 30.

In 2018 the club returns a 9-player core amongst the 30-man roster for its 2018 campaign, entering the club's first full year under Briggs and staff. USL All-League First Team selection, USL MVP Finalist and Golden Boot runner-up from 2017, FW Chandler Hoffman returns after leading the Monarchs in scoring in 2017, after posting 17 total goals while registering 7 assists through the regular-season and playoffs for his best year as a professional. Joining Hoffman in returning to the Monarchs are MFs Sebastian Velasquez and veteran midfielder Charlie Adams . After his best performance as a professional that saw him score nine goals and register six assists, Velasquez placed second in scoring within the potent attacking force for the Monarchs.

Plenty of experience returns to the midfield and back line as DFs Michael Gallagher, Andrew Brody and James Moberg return to a staunch back line while MF Karsten Hanlin returns for his sophomore season in midfield. Up top, FW Juan Ignacio Mare also returns for his first full season with the club after signing last August. In goal GKAndrew Putna returns for his sophomore season in the USL after featuring in four matches for the Monarchs last season, posting two shutouts while registering two penalty kick saves in two-consecutive matches against Sacramento Republic FC and Reno 1868 FC.

New arrivals for 2018 include: Former Charleston Battery duo MFs Maikel Chang and 2017 USL All-League Second Team selection Justin Portillo; DFs David Diosa, Rhys Williams as well as a former USL Cup winner in Konrad Plewa and 2015 MLS SuperDraft pick Kalen Ryden; In midfield MF Masta Kacher joins the Monarchs together with Washington Husky alumni Josh Heard and reserve GK Jake Leeker.

In 2018 Briggs returns a Real Monarchs coaching staff which includes former Real Salt Lake and New York Red Bulls defender Jamison Olave, Goalkeeper Coach Matt Glaeser who returns for his second season with the USL side, arriving in December 2016, along with Briggs after serving as an assistant at Wilmington. Briggs also sees the transition of former Monarchs midfielder Danny Cruz to an assistant coaching role with the club. Prior to making the transition to coaching, Cruz appeared in nine matches for the Monarchs in 2017, playing 617 minutes while making six starts. As a professional Cruz logged 137 career Major League Soccer appearances, 99 of them in a starting role.

Real Monarchs moves away from the home of Real Salt Lake and Utah Royals FC at Rio Tinto Stadium and christen the new, 5,000 seat Zions Bank Stadium on the campus of the $78 million Zions Bank Real Academyin Herriman, Utah. The state-of-the-art venue will boast a full-service press box and broadcasting booth as well as concessions on either side of the stadium. Officially opening April 2018, the Monarchs will host 17 regular-season matches at Zions Bank Stadium in the first year at the league's newest venue starting with an April 30 match against Las Vegas Lights FC for the first ever "Saints-and-Sinners/I-15" Rivalry.

The Herriman facility provides adjacencies for an on-site charter school in conjunction with the Jordan School District, which opened last August, focusing on STEM disciplines (Science/Technology/Engineering/Math) for nearly 300 boys and girls, kicking off a new era for both sports and education in Utah.

Last December in North Logan, Utah, RSL Owner Dell Loy Hansen christened the opening of the first of a half-dozen regional training centers across Utah and Arizona to be built in the next 2-3 years. Each $5 million RTC houses a classroom, as well as an indoor and outdoor field, dedicated to fulfilling a curriculum consistent with the club's vision and mission for youth soccer training and education, and the continued development of both recreational and competitive pre-Academy (ages 7-14) initiatives across Utah and Arizona.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 20, 2018


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