Real Monarchs 0 vs 3 Tacoma Defiance
September 15, 2023; Zions Bank Stadium; Herriman, Utah
Real Monarchs (8-14-5, 31 points; 11th West) vs Tacoma Defiance (14-5-8, 55 points; 2nd West)
What You Missed: Despite creating a number of half-chances in the opening 20 minutes of the match, the Monarchs were unable to jump to an early lead. Tacoma scored the first goal of the night in the 23rd minute when Braudilio Rodrigues curled a shot from inside the box to beat Blake Kelly. Unable to produce any more scoring chances for the remainder of the half, the Monarchs went into the break trailing 1-0. After the start of the second half, Blake Kelly made a strong save in the 55th minute to deny a header and keep the Monarchs within a goal of Tacoma. However, just two minutes later the Defiance doubled their lead on a nifty back heel flick from substitute Gio Miglietti in front of goal. Braudilio Rodrigues added another for Tacoma in the 75th minute, volleying a shot from short range to extend the lead to three goals. The deficit proved too difficult for the Monarchs to overcome, dropping the final home match of the season 3-0.
Man of the Match: 2,941 fans packed Zions Bank Stadium for the final home match of the season to celebrate the Monarchs’ Fan Appreciation Night. All season long the Monarchs faithful has supported Jamison Olave’s squad through the ups and downs of the 2023 campaign. To the best fans in MLS NEXT Pro, thank you. We can’t wait to see you next year.
Telling Stats: Tonight’s starting XI was one of the youngest, if not the youngest, lineup in MLS NEXT Pro, with an average age of 17.9 years. Second half substitute and 15-year-old RSL Academy product Luca Moisa made his professional debut. With the loss, the Monarchs finish their home season with a record of 2-8-4 at Zions Bank Stadium. The Defiance complete the three-game series sweep in 2023, but the Monarchs still lead the overall head-to-head record 8-5-1. The last time the Monarchs beat Tacoma was August 26, 2022.
What’s Next?: The Monarchs will finish the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season on the road at Providence Park against Portland Timbers2 on Sunday, September 24 at 3:00 p.m. M.T. Real Monarchs head into the City of Roses with two wins against Timbers2 already this season. The match will either be broadcasted on mlsnextpro.com or on the Apple TV MLS Season Pass.
