Real Monarchs SLC Visits Rio Grande Valley FC on Saturday
September 20, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) - Real Monarchs News Release
HERRIMAN, Utah - Real Monarchs SLC (12-9-7, 43 points, 5 West) continues on its road trip as it heads to face Rio Grande Valley FC on Saturday, September 21. Kickoff from H-E-B Park in Edinburg, Texas is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. MT and be watched live on ESPN+.
Real Monarchs picked up its second consecutive victory on Tuesday with a 4-1 win over a 9-man Tacoma Defiance. In a heated contest, FW Kyle Coffee netted his second goal in as many games as MF Maikel Chang earned a brace to make for a career-best 11 games in a single season. MF Cristian Cálix helped secure the critical road win with his first goal in a Monarchs uniform from a lofted shot that fell just under the crossbar. MF Sam Brown also earned his first start for the club, playing for 85 minutes. While Tacoma Defiance was able to pull one back after the half-time break, Real Monarchs picked up the full three points.
The midweek win moved Real Monarchs up to 5th in the West with 43 points, tied with 4th place Sacramento Republic FC. The Monarchs have another opportunity to pick up a critical three points in the fight for 4th place when it goes on the road to face Rio Grande Valley FC. Real Monarchs and RGV last met at Zions Bank Stadium at the start of June in a contest that saw the Monarchs pick up a strong 5-3 win, following goals from FW Douglas Martinez, MF Maikel Chang, DF Noah Powder and Josh Heard. RGVFC enters Saturday's contest off the heels of a midweek 5-0 loss against Fresno FC, marking its fourth straight loss since a 1-0 win over El Paso Locomotive FC.
How to Follow Real Monarchs SLC at Rio Grande Valley FC - Sat., September 21, 2019
- Coverage Begins: 6:30 p.m. MT
- Local TV: N/A
- Digital Streaming: ESPN+
- English Radio: N/A
- Spanish Radio: N/A
- Social Media: @RealMonarchs & #RGVvSLC on Twitter
Moving into the second half of the 2019, Real Monarchs SLC has seen 16 unique players tally a goal in a Monarchs jersey. The attacking front is led by Honduran International FW Douglas Martinez, who has recorded 15 goals and 6 assists across 20 appearances as well as earning the club's first hat-trick in the dominant 5-0 victory over Tacoma Defiance on July 12. Meanwhile, MF Maikel Chang and Team Captain Jack Blake continues to provide a meaningful presence in the midfield providing a combined 19 goals and 4 assists as of September 18.
In front goal, USL Veteran DF Noah Powder has made himself a mainstay on the backline with 24 starts and appearance so far this season. Paired with fellow defenders, Kalen Ryden, Jordan Pena, and Konrad Plewa, the Monarchs backline has begun to solidify and limiting the opposing attack to help in pushing Real Monarchs to its third consecutive playoff appearance in as many years.
In goal, U-20 USMNT star GK David Ochoa leads the Monarchs with three clean sheets and 48 saves in 14 appearances. Ochoa returned to Utah after featuring in two matches of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup where he tallied one shutout and was named to the 2019 MLS Homegrown Game roster. GK Andrew Putna has also made appearances in goal for the Monarchs this season, tallying three clean sheets and 24 saves in ten appearances for the club.
Real Monarchs SLC season tickets, single-game tickets, and family packs are on sale and can be purchased by going to RealMonarchs.com or by calling 844.REAL.TIX.
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