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USL Real Monarchs

Real Monarchs Travel Saturday to Austin Aztex

May 8, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Real Monarchs News Release


SANDY, Utah (Friday, May 8, 2015) - Following four home games in April, Real Monarchs SLC hit the road for the majority May, starting with Saturday's match in Central Texas against the Austin Aztex. This is Monarchs' first and only time playing in Austin this regular season, with the Aztex coming to SLC on July 11. Tomorrow's match will kick off at 7:00 p.m. MT and can be viewed on RealMonarchs.com or on Austin Aztex's YouTube page. Former RSL assistant coach Paul Dalglish leads Austin Aztex, also celebrating its inaugural USL season after moving up from the PDL. Dalglish left RSL in August of 2014 to take dual GM and Head Coach positions in the Texas capital, returning to his roots with the then-PDL side.

Real Monarchs (1-4-2, 5 points, 10th West) look to build from the club's first-ever win 10 days ago, a home victory over defending USL Champions Sacramento Republic FC on April 29th. FW Max Rauhofer scored the game-winner in the 68th minute to put Monarchs up 1-0 and support another shutout from GK Lalo Fernandez. On the game-deciding play, Monarchs pushed forward, searching for a goal, when MF Fito Ovalle found an opening and took a shot from 28 yards out through traffic. Rauhofer was in the perfect position to deflect the shot off his back heel and redirect the ball into goal sending GK Patrick McLain the wrong way. You can watch highlights and player reactions to the club's first win here.

Austin Aztex (3-3-1, 10 points, 4st West) host its third consecutive home match at House Park, posting a 1-0-1 mark on this homestand. Back on May 1, Austin posted a 2-2 draw vs. Oklahoma City Energy, both Aztex goals coming from FW Drew Yates. The goals, which were the first of Yates 2015 campaign, weren't enough to seal the win for the Aztex as OKC Energy's FW Kyle Greig came off the bench to score in the 87th minute for the late equalizer.

How to Follow Real Monarchs @ Austin Aztex

Coverage Begins: 7:00 p.m. MT

Video Streaming: RealMonarchs.com

Social: The @RealMonarchs Twitter and Facebook feeds will provide match updates

Monarchs History v. Austin Aztex

This will be the first of two meetings in a home-and-away series this year with the Aztex, the return match coming on July 11 at Rio Tinto Stadium. Both clubs recently kicked off their first year in USL, as the Aztex have transitioned from three PDL seasons, winning the 2013 title with Paul Dalglish at the helm, prior to his brief stint as an RSL assistant coach last year.

Uruguayan Max Rauhofer Named to USL Team of the Week

On Tuesday, USL released their Week 7 Team of the Week with Monarchs FW Max Rauhofer selected, following his performance against the defending USL champs. Rauhofer has only played three matches since arriving in the U.S., scoring twice; his first time finding the back of the net came during Monarchs' 5-2 "snow-mageddon" loss at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in mid-April.

FW Emery Welshman To See More Minutes?

Guyanese International Emery Welshman made his long-awaited USL debut vs. Sacramento Republic FC at Rio Tinto Stadium, as the forward has missed the Monarchs' first six games - two due to international duty, and the most recent four matches due to a knee injury suffered while representing his country. Welshman entered the match in the 72nd minute, replacing newly-signed MF Maikon Orellana . Welshman immediately made an impact on the match with his burst of speed getting him behind the Republic defense. In the final minutes that Welshman played, he had two big changes to put Monarchs up 2-0 when he had a one-on-one with GK Patrick McLain. A through-ball found Welshman with plenty of space behind the defense, but the goalkeeper was up to the task and parried it away.

With Welshman finally healthy, Juarez will have at least five strong forwards competing for more minutes, starting slots and bench positions.

The Capital Cup Continues

The Capital Cup is a team supporter's group challenge where the capital city-based USL teams compete. This year the competition is for the Western Conference Capital City teams only including: Sacramento, Phoenix, Austin, Oklahoma, and Salt Lake City. The team with the best record between these 5 teams wins the fan-created Cup.

Currently Real Monarchs and Arizona United are tied for first, both with a 1-0 win over another competitor. A result during Saturday's match vs. Austin Aztex would put the Monarchs to the top of the CC standings.

Monarchs Learn 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Path

Nearly five weeks ago, hours prior to the club's inaugural home match, U.S. Soccer released the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup pairings for the First and Second Round, delineating the path for the Monarchs as well as fellow USL teams. Head Coach Freddy Juarez (WATCH his April 8th post-game press conference) and his team learned that it will enter America's oldest tourney on Wednesday, May 20, against the winner of the Brooklyn Italians (NPSL) and the Long Island Rough Riders (PDL), who face each other one week prior on May 13. Should favored Long Island win, the Monarchs will have to travel across the country for the club's first-ever Open Cup game; if the Brooklyn Italians manage the upset, Rio Tinto Stadium will host the Monarchs against RSL President Bill Manning's former team, with whom he won the Open Cup title back in 1991. RSL and the other 16 U.S.-based MLS teams will enter the tourney on June 16/17, at the Fourth Round / Round of 32 stage.

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