Herriman, Utah (Friday, July 14, 2023) – Real Monarchs (6-9-2, 21 points, 12th in West) suffered a 4-1 defeat at Zions Bank Stadium to Colorado Rapids 2.
Attempting to knock off the top team in the Western Conference, Real Monarchs looked to pressure the final third of Colorado Rapids 2 and in the 12th minute Monarch’s midfielder Jude Wellings launched a shot that looked as if it would open the scoreline, yet the ball kissed the crossbar, falling out of touch for a goal kick.
In the 26th minute Colorado’s Robinson Aguiree-Ortega slotted a well placed through ball between defenders to the feet of striker Remi Cabral, but Bobby Pierre recovered quickly, outpacing Cabral to end the play. Colorado continued to pressure the Monarchs and in the 36th minute Rapid’s Sebastain Anderson fired a shot from the top of the 18-yard-box that took a slight deflection off his teammate Yosuke Hanya adding enough spin to freeze RSL Academy goalkeeper Blake Kelly on his line as the ball landed in the back of the net handing Colorado the 1-0 lead.
Real Monarchs were caught flat footed after Colorado’s first goal allowing the Rapids to find another in the first minute of stoppage time. Oliver Larraz was able to control a well placed ball on the counter and dribble into the center of the 18-yard-box, lofting a magnificent ball into the top left corner for Colorado’s second of the half with a 2-0 advantage over Real Monarchs.
Throughout the early moments of the second half neither team was able to create significant chances exchanging shots and possession up until the 60th minute when Colorado found the back of the next once more. Remi Cabral found himself unmarked within the penalty area and sped a shot past Kelly who had been caught leaning the other direction. Bertin Jacquesson attempted to pull one back in the 65th minute with a knuckleball from outside the box but the shot fell wide.
Colorado continued the onslaught in the 74th minute when awarded a free kick on the wing. Anthony Markanich swung a low cross across the face of goal to connect with the outstretched foot of Sebastian Anderson for Colorado’s fourth goal of the night. In his second match of the season, substitute Owen Anderson found his first professional goal, preventing the Rapids from claiming the shutout. Fighting off his defender Anderson found himself with enough space in the box to shoot but was unable to get a shot off before the goalkeeper pounced on the ball. The ‘keeper was unable to retain possession due to the pressure of Anderson who stumbled over the ball and rolled it past the goal line for a 4-1 defeat.
UP NEXT: The Monarchs will halt regular season play to host the MLS NEXT Pro Invitational at Zions Bank Stadium where the Real Monarchs will first face Crystal Palace U21 on July 19 to kick off their tournament. MLS NEXT Pro regular season play will resume for the Monarchs at home on Friday, July 28 at 8:00 p.m. MT against Houston Dynamo 2.
Real Monarchs (4-3-1-2): Blake Kelly; Gennaro Nigro (Luis Rivera 66’), Delentze Pierre, Bobby Pierre, Gabriel Oksanen; Moses Nyeman, Jude Wellings (Amferny Sinclair 66’), Darón Iskenderian (Dominic Berrios 77’); Julian Vazquez (Zavier Gozo 10’); Bertin Jacquesson, Ilijah Paul (Owen Anderson 77’).
Subs not used: Derrick Chan, Izzy Amparo, Owen Anderson, Dominic Berrios, Gershon Henry, Cayne Madhlangove, Luis Rivera, Amferney Sinclair
Colorado Rapids 2 (4-3-3): Adam Beaudry; Jackson Travis (Daniel Garcia 66’), Blake Malone, Anthony Markanich, Sebastian Anderson; Yosuke Hanya (Dillon Sema 66’), Robinson Aguirre-Ortega (Connor Miller 71’), Marlon Vargas (Logan Batiste 78’)
; Remi Cabral (Caique De Brito Cerqueira 66’), Daouda Amadou, Oliver Larraz
Subs not used: Leonardo Medina, Steve Flores
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RM: Bobby Pierre (caution) 14’
COL 2: Remi Cabral (caution) 62’
RM: Gabriel Oksanen (caution) 79’
