Real Monarchs Head West for Final Road Match of the Year
September 8, 2022 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Real Monarchs News Release
HERRIMAN, Utah – Real Monarchs (4-14-3, 15 points, 10th in West) look to play spoiler in San Jose Earthquakes II’s (11-8-3, 37 points, 5th in West) playoff hopes in its final road trip of inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season.
Friday’s match, as well as all Real Monarchs matches this season, will be streamed live via www.MLSNEXTPro.com.
Real Monarchs vs San Jose Earthquakes II
Negoesco Stadium; San Francisco, California
Friday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. MT
2022 Records: Real Monarchs (5-14-3, 18 points); San Jose Earthquakes II (11-8-3, 37 points)
Head-to-Head: The two sides have met twice previously, with San Jose holding a 2-0-0 advantage over the Monarchs. In the most recent match, Earthquakes II defeated Real Monarchs 3-1 at home with midfielder Pedro Fonseca netting the lone goal for the Monarchs from the penalty spot. The two clubs had not met prior to joining MLS NEXT Pro.
PLAY THE KIDS
Real Monarchs’ youth was on full display in Saturday’s 4-2 win over Portland Timbers 2, fielding its second-youngest roster of the season with an average age of 18.64. The Monarchs were led by 16-year-old Real Salt Lake Academy product Abokye Bikyeombe who earned his first professional goal and assist in the victory, along with recent signing 16-year-old Fernando Delgado making key saves in between the posts. Nineteen-year-old RSL Homegrown Bode Hidalgo was clinical in the attack as well, netting a rocket to open the scoring for the Club and securing an assist later in the match. Additionally, 14-year-olds Axel Kei and Luis Rivera also saw minutes
LAST RIDE
As the Monarchs travel to the Bay Area, a lot rides on the Club’s final road match of the season. Real Monarchs is still searching for its first three points on the road this season, while San Jose Earthquakes II is fighting for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Monarchs are currently riding a lot of momentum heading into Northern California, pushing forward with a seven match home-unbeaten streak and earning just its second road point of the season on August 21 in a 1-1 draw with Minnesota United FC 2. If the Utah side can pull out the win or earn a draw in Northern California, Earthquakes II would be eliminated from MLS NEXT Pro playoffs, unable to overcome the six point deficit behind fourth place North Texas SC.
HOME FORTRESS
Real Monarchs have been brewing up something special at home, winning seven consecutive matches in Utah. During this span, the Club has faced top-end talent such as Tacoma Defiance and teams who, until recently, were contending for playoff spots like Sporting Kansas City II and Whitecaps FC 2. In its most recent match, Real Monarchs defeated Timbers 2 4-2 at home with the second-youngest fielded roster all season of 18.64 years old. 16-year-old RSL Academy products Abokye Bikyeombe and Fernando Delgado led the way with Bikyeombe earning his first professional goal and assist while Delgado made multiple key saves to secure the three points. Additionally, Bode Hidalgo, Tyrone Mondi and Golden Mafwenta all found the back of the net as well as Hidalgo and Mafwenta each securing assists on the night.
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