Real Monarchs 1 vs. San Diego Loyal SC 0
August 7, 2021; Torero Stadium
Real Monarchs (4-10-4, 16 points); San Diego Loyal SC (7-7-3, 24 points)
Man of the Match: Bret Halsey slid into the midfield for Head Coach Jamison Olave, after previously playing at outside back, and showed out for a breakthrough performance. Halsey recorded a passing accuracy of 78.9% in the opponent’s half of the field and created three chances offensively. Controlling the midfield, the 21-year-old won seven duels and recorded two tackles, two interceptions and one clearance, keeping San Diego on their toes both offensively and defensively.
Telling Stat: In his first match back since competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics for Honduras, Douglas Martinez scored the fastest goal in Real Monarchs history. In the opening minute of the match Real Monarchs pounded down the pitch, Charlie Wehan slid the ball out to Martinez, creating an open opportunity at goal in the 42nd second. Martinez hit the ball underneath the goalkeeper to take the early lead and secure his second goal of the season.
What You Missed: Seventeen-year-old goalkeeper Jeff Dewsnup recorded two saves to earn his first professional shutout and the team’s first victory on the road. He is the youngest in USL Championship history to achieve a clean sheet, smashing a record set and held by Orange County SC goalkeeper Aaron Cervantes two years ago. Meanwhile, forward Charlie Wehan returned to the pitch after missing the previous game due to injury, assisting on the game-winning goal, his first professional assist.
What’s Next: With two weeks before the next match, the Real Monarchs will take its longest break of the campaign before traveling to Toyota Field to take on San Antonio FC for the third and final meeting of the season between the two sides on Saturday, August 21 at 6:30 p.m. MT.
