Real Monarchs 0 vs. Tacoma Defiance 4
March 27, 2022; Starfire Sports Complex, Tukwila, WA
Real Monarchs (0-1-0, 0 points); Tacoma Defiance (1-0-0, 3 points)
Man of the Match: RSL Academy product MF Christian Nydegger was dominant in the midfield in Real Monarch’s 2022 season-opener. Nydegger led the way in the attacking half for the Monarchs, recording two of the three shots on target against Tacoma, including a shot in the 20th minute that forced goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland to make a close-range save.
Telling Stat: Real Monarchs fielded the youngest starting lineup in the opening weekend of the inaugural season for MLS NEXT Pro with an average age of 18.7 years old. The Monarchs had 11 players 18 years old, or younger, make appearances, the youngest being RSL Academy product DF Luis Rivera who made his professional debut at 14 years, 3 months and 26 days. Rivera is one of the youngest players in the entire Real Salt Lake organization.
What You Missed: Real Monarchs fell to Tacoma Defiance 4-0 in their first-ever match in the newly formed MLS NEXT Pro. The Monarchs had seven players make their professional debuts namely MF Izzy Amparo, MF Pedro Fonseca, DF Alex Lopez, DF Pierre Reedy, DF Luis Rivera, DF Marcus Vasquez, and FW Terron Williams.
What’s Next: Real Monarchs will return to Zions Bank Stadium next week for its 2022 MLS NEXT Pro home-opener, facing fellow Pacific Division opponent Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2. The match will start at 5:00 p.m. MT, with gates opening an hour prior at 4:00 p.m. MT. A block party featuring Real Monarchs announcer Landon Southwick and appearances by Theo and Cleo to kick off the festivities at 3 p.m. MT. Tickets are available at rsl.com/monarchs/tickets/ or 844.REAL.TIX.
