HERRIMAN, Utah (Thursday April 10, 2025) - Real Monarchs (2-1-1, 8 pts, 5th in West) beat The Town FC (0-1-2, 1 pts, 14th in West) 2-1 at home at Zions Bank Stadium in a second half push.
Head Coach Mark Lowry made 2 changes from his starting XI in the 2-1 defeat against VCFC in St. George. Midfielder Omar Marquez entered the lineup and wing back Ruben Mesalles made his first start with the Monarchs. Midfielder Griffin Dillon started his first game this season with the captain band leading the squad to victory.
Owen Anderson had the first look on goal in the 29th minute with a right footed shot just outside the box. With a second attempt with a left footed shot from the right side of the box in the 34th minute by Aiden Hezarkhani. The third attempt came in the 38th minute from Omar Marquez with a right footed shot from the central position outside the box which was blocked. The Monarchs ended the half tied at 0-0.
After the break, the Monarchs came out with renewed energy, starting the second half much stronger and quickly putting the pressure back on their opponents. With the ability to find offensive synergy in the second half after early substitutions as striker Ousman Touray and midfielder Izzy Amparo in his season debut, came on in the 62nd minute.
Just eight minutes later Touray connected with Hezarkhani outside the box for the Monarchs first goal of the match.
The goal ignited Hezarkhani and the Monarchs leading to a second goal six minutes later. Ousman earned himself his second assist of the match, and third in two with a through ball to Hezarkhani just in front of the goal for his second goal and a brace for the evening.
The home win involves many positives including, a club debut for winger Brayan Sandoval as well as Hezarkhani cementing himself as the Monarchs leading goalscorer at a total of 4 goals so far this season.
The Monarchs have a week off before welcoming LAFC 2 to Zions Bank Stadium on Wednesday April 23rd. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 PM MT and will be available to watch on MLSNEXTPro.com
SLC 2 : 1 TTFC
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
SLC: Aiden Hezarkhani (Ousman Touray) 70’: With a pass from Touray, Hezarkhani takes a touch from the central position and scores a left footed shot just outside the box to the bottom right corner.
SLC: Aiden Hezarkhani (Ousman Touray) 76’: Ousman with a touch takes himself down to the goal line forcing the keeper out of position allowing for a through ball into the center, Hezarkhani is able to beat the defender to the ball and shoot into the back of the net.
TTFC: Julian Donnery (unassisted) 90+1’: Donnery scores with a left footed shot from the middle of the box into the left hand side of the goal.
LINEUPS:
Real Monarchs (4-2-3-1): Trace Aphlin, (Max Kebrkvliet, 90+3); Maximus Jennings, Giovanni Calderon, Wesley Charpie, Rubin Mesalles; Owen Anderson, (Izzy Amparo, 62) Luca Moisa (Brayan Sandoval, 83), Aiden Hezarkhani, Omar Marquez, (Liam O’Gara, 46) Griffin Dillon ©; Forster Ajago (Ousman Touray, 62)
Subs not used: Loic Adjalala, Prince Abban
TTFC (4-3-3): David Sweeney; Ricardo Ibarra ©, (Diogo Brandes Baptista, 77) A Cano, Max Floriani, Reid Roberts; Wilson Eisner, Cruz Medina, Rohan Rajagopal, (Oliver Hernandez Parra, 83); Kaedren Spivey, (Chance Cowell, 46), Jermaine Spivey, (Julian Donnery, 78) N Adimabua (Tomo Allen, 46)
Subs not used: Mathew Guerra
Stats Summary: SLC / TTFC
Possession: 37 / 63
Shots: 8 / 6
Shots on Goal: 4 / 2
Corner Kicks: 1 / 2
Fouls: 17 / 12
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
TTFC: A Cano (Yellow Card - 46)
SLC: Griffin Dillon (Yellow Card - 56)
