16-Year-Old Abokye Bikyeombe Leads Push in Seventh Consecutive Home Win

September 3, 2022 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Real Monarchs News Release

Man of the Match: Real Salt Lake Academy member Abokye Bikyeombe was all over the field tonight, earning his first professional goal and assist. Bikyeombe kicked off the Monarchs’ scoring spree by laying the ball off to RSL Homegrown Bode Hidalgo for the first goal then finished his impressive night off with a curling ball into the back of the net for the third goal of the match. Additionally, the holding midfielder found his teammates with a pass percentage of 82.8%, while helping secure the three points on the defensive end with three tackles.

Telling Stat: With tonight’s win, Real Monarchs have fielded the youngest roster to earn three points in MLS NEXT Pro with an average age of 18.64 in the starting XI. The Monarchs fielded two 14-year-olds tonight in RSL Homegrown Axel Kei and RSL Academy product Luis Rivera. There was also plenty of production from other youngsters, including 16-year-old goalkeeper Fernando Delgado who made two saves. Additionally, 16-year-old RSL Academy midfielder Abokye Bikyeombe and RSL Homegrown Bode Hidalgo each recorded a goal and an assist.

What You Missed: On community heroes night, Real Monarchs extended its home-undefeated streak to seven matches, defeating Pacific Division foes Timbers 2 by a score of 4-2. RSL Homegrown Bode Hidalgo, defender Golden Mafwenta and midfielder Abokye Bikyeombe each netted their first goals of the season, while midfielder Tyrone Mondi scored his Club-leading seventh goal of the 2022 campaign. Hidalgo also secured his second helper while Bikyeombe and defender Aziz Kayondo earned their first assists of the season. Additionally, goalkeeper Fernando Delgado, defender Zack Farnsworth and midfielder Gennaro Nigro made their first starts in MLS NEXT Pro.

What’s Next: Real Monarchs will travel to Northern California to take on Western Conference foe San Jose Earthquakes II on Friday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. MT before returning home for the final match of the 2022 campaign against Rocky Mountain rivals Colorado Rapids 2 on Sunday, September 18 at 5:00 p.m. MT. Tickets are available for only $5 at www.rsl.com/monarchs/tickets/.

• Discuss this story on the MLS NEXT Pro message board…

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.