In a history-making affair, Real Monarchs SLC earned its way into the Western Conference Final after picking up a 2-1 win over the 2019 Regular Season Title winners Phoenix Rising FC last Friday. The Monarchs now return home to host 2019 expansion side, El Paso Locomotive FC on Saturday, November 9 at 1:00p MT at Zions Bank Stadium. General admission and family pack tickets are available for purchase at RealMonarchs.com or by calling 844.REAL.TIX.
Real Monarchs and El Paso Locomotive FC have faced each other twice since the latter’s inception this season. The two stand at an even stalemate having played to scoreless draws in both meetings, for a record of 0-2-0. Zions Bank Stadium will be the stage for the third contest between the Monarchs and El Paso in 2019, a venue where the Monarchs boast a dominate 23-4-6 record.
El Paso heads to Utah hot off the heels of a dominating 3-0 victory over Sacramento Republic FC behind goals from Aaron Gómez, Sebastián Contreras and former Monarchs man Sebastian Velasquez last Saturday. After going up late in the first half, Locomotive FC staved off an attacking Republic FC before securing the win through a penalty kick and final goal within the last ten minutes of the semifinal contest.
Through its first season in the USL Championship, the Locos have had a positive run earning a record of 13-10-11 (50 points) to escape the Championship Play-In rounds by securing 6th in the Western Conference. While the expansion side held a positive record overall, its away record falls short of spectacular at 5-6-6 (21 points) in the regular season.
El Paso Locomotive is led by Jerome Kiesewetter, who tallied 12 goals across 25 appearances in the regular season. Behind him stands Aaron Gómez who netted 6 goals in 17 appearances. Sebastian Velasquez has brought an impactful presence since his signing in mid-July having scored 3 goals and an assist in 13 appearances before adding 2 goals and another assist thus far in the post-season. All together El Paso Locomotive FC has combined for 48 goals in the 2019 regular season for a +10 goal differential.
On the defensive front, Logan Ketterer has been a mainstay between the posts sitting in 4th in the league with 13 shutouts - just one behind the three-way tie by the league-leaders for first. Paired with his backline that includes Andrew Fox and Chiró N’Toko in the centerback positions, El Paso conceded just 38 goals in 2019 to help lift the side to a playoff appearance in its inaugural USL Championship campaign.
After the competitive rollercoaster affair throughout 2019 in the West, a Western Conference Champion will be crowned on Saturday. It’s win or go home for both sides as the two battle for a spot in the USL Championship Final this Saturday, November 9. The contest is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. MT kickoff from Zions Bank Stadium. Regular admission and family pack tickets are available to purchase on RealMonarchs.com or by calling 844.REAL.TIX.
