Real Monarchs 1 vs. 1 San Jose Earthquakes II
August 9, 2023; Zions Bank Stadium; Herriman, Utah Real Monarchs (6-12-3, 22 points); San Jose Earthquakes II (8-7-6, 35 points)
Man of the Match: Real Salt Lake Homegrown Bode Hidalgo was phenomenal across the length of 90 minutes played. On the defensive side of the pitch Hidalgo helped to prevent Earthquakes II from taking advantage of a short staffed Monarchs side after a red card in the 12th minute locking down the right hand side of the pitch. While in San Jose’s half Hidalgo made multiple overlapping runs creating several dangerous chances, including an assist to set up Zavier Gozo’s goal in the 68th minute.
Telling Stats: With the draw the Real Monarchs move to 1W-3D-7L while playing at Zions Bank Stadium avoiding a loss which would have tied the team record for most losses at home in a single season across all competitions. For the seventh time while competing in MLS NEXT Pro the Monarchs finished the match with a shootout. In their fourth shootout this season the Monarchs would lose 10-9 against San Jose, moving to 2W-5L in kicks from the penalty spot in the last two years.
What You Missed: San Jose Earthquakes II began the match looking for revenge after losing to Real Monarchs at home in April. Earthquakes II struck first in the 10th minute on the counter when Will Richmond found Eduardo Blancas in the center of the box to take the early 1-0 advantage. Things went from bad to worse for Real Monarchs just two minutes later when goalkeeper Fernando Delgado swatted the ball while standing outside the 18-yard-box resulting in a red card and leaving the Monarchs with just ten men.
Current RSL Academy forward Owen Anderson was subbed off so that secondary goalkeeper Derrek Chan could defend the net in the 13th minute. Despite being left with only ten men the Monarchs were able to limit San Jose’s chances and keep the game within striking distance entering halftime down 1-0. At the start of the second half the match would draw into a stalemate as neither side could take advantage of their opposition.
Hidalgo broke the stalemate in the 68th minute, beating the San Jose defense with pace and crossing the ball into RSL Academy product Zavier Gozo who would slot the ball past the ‘keeper to draw even 1-1. As full time expired the match entered kicks from the penalty mark to determine what team would walk away with the extra point. After a long and intense shootout it would be Earthquakes II would claim the extra point winning 10-9 on kicks from the penalty mark.
What’s Next?: Real Monarchs will remain at home facing North Texas SC at Zions Bank Stadium on Saturday, August 12 with kickoff set for 8:00 p.m. MT. The last time these two sides met was in April where the Monarchs secured a late 1-0 victory in added time.
