PORTLAND, Oregon (Sunday, June 25, 2023) – Real Monarchs (5-9-1, 17 points, 12th in West) picked up their fourth road win of the season, defeating Portland Timbers2 (6-9-0, 18 points, 11th in the West) 3-2 at Providence Park in come-from-behind fashion. The comeback win marks just the second time in MLS NEXT Pro history that the Monarchs have taken all three points after conceding first (April 30 at home against Portland 5-1).
Before Head Coach Jamison Olave’s squad could establish their influence on the match, the Monarchs started on the back foot conceding an own goal in the fifth minute when **Bobby Pierre** cleared a threatening pass in the box into his own net. Just four minutes later **Julian Vazquez** put the first shot of the match on frame, sending a left-footed tailing laser towards the bottom corner which forced Portland ‘keeper Ryan Bilichuk to make a diving save.
Play deteriorated from bad to worse for the Monarchs in the 12th minute when the referee awarded a penalty after Amferny Sinclair brought down Diego Gutiérrez in the box. From the spot, Gutiérrez confidently struck the ball to the opposite side of a diving Blake Kelly to double the Portland lead.
Real Monarchs were awarded their own penalty in the 23rd minute when Gennaro Nigro was tackled inside the area by a sliding Justin Rasmussen. Frenchman **Bertin Jacquesson** stepped up to the spot and calmly sent the ‘keeper the wrong way, scoring his first-career professional goal after being selected 16th overall by Real Salt Lake in the 2023 SuperDraft.
The goal sparked the Monarchs attack in the ensuing minutes, with an increased sense of determination to threaten Portland’s backline. In the 30th, **Terron Williams** connected with Jacquesson for a nifty 1-2 but Williams’ shot was saved by Bilichuk. An array of chances followed for the Monarchs who grew into the match comfortably despite trailing early on. The match settled down after a hectic three-goals-in-23-minutes start and the two teams cruised into the halftime break with Portland up 2-1.
Head Coach Jamison Olave seemed to have shared some impactful words in the locker room, as the Monarchs looked much sharper on the attack to begin the second 45. Jacquesson nearly notched a brace in the Monarchs offensive onslaught coming out of the break, volleying an acrobatic shot on frame but safely into the hands of Bilichuk. A plethora of consecutive set-piece opportunities had the Monarchs knocking on the door again, but the Portland defense stood tall to prevent an equalizer for the time being.
That lead would disappear in the 75th minute when Jacquesson did notch his first professional brace. Darón Iskenderian came charging down the left wing and played a centering through ball that cleared not one but two defenders on its way to a charging Jacquesson, who one-timed a shot catching the fingertips of an outstretched Bilichuk before finding the back of the net to tie the game.
Five minutes later the Monarchs completed the comeback to take the lead. Griffin Dillon sent a long ground pass which took a deflection off a sliding defender. Terron Williams pounced on the loose ball outside of the area and advanced into the six-yard-box towards the near post, cheekily slotting a shot through the legs of Bilichuk, a third unanswered goal for the Monarchs.
The hosts were all but certain to spoil the comeback in the 88th but Gennaro Nigro left his leg trailing behind him to prevent a shot from finding the bottom corner. A few chippy final minutes cemented the entertaining come-from-behind win for the Monarchs, who leave the City of Roses with all three points. The Club has won four in a row now against Portland, outscoring them 16-5 in those matches.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs return to Zions Bank Stadium on June 30 to face Austin FC II for the Club’s annual Pride Night at 8:00 p.m. MT. The Monarchs are seeking their first points at home since a two-point draw against LA Galaxy II on June 9, and their first home win since April 30 against Portland. Tickets for the Monarchs home match against Austin and all Real Monarchs home matches can be found **here**.
GOAL SCORING SUMMARY:
POR: Bobby Pierre (Own Goal) 5th minute: Portland’s Diego Gutiérrez came down the left wing and sent a threatening pass into the area. Pierre slid inside the six-yard box to clear the ball, but his attempt went straight into the back of the net.
POR: Diego Gutiérrez (penalty) 12th minute: Gutiérrez hit the ball low to the bottom right corner after he was brought down inside the 18 by Amferny Sinclair.
RM: Bertin Jacquesson (penalty) 23rd minute: Julian Vazquez sent a through ball into the area for Gennaro Nigro, who took a touch and was promptly tripped up by Justin Rasmussen’s slide tackle. First-team regular Bertin Jacquesson took the penalty, a simple pass-in to the bottom left corner for his first professional goal.
RM: Bertin Jacquesson (Darón Iskenderian) 75th minute: From the left wing, Iskenderian played a centering pass across two defenders onto the foot of Jacquesson who slid a shot across frame, glancing off the fingertips of a diving Bilichuk before crossing the line.
RM: Terron Williams 80th minute: Griffin Dillon’s long pass took a deflection before finding Williams who hopped on the end of the loose ball thirty yards out and carried it en route to the near post before nutmegging Bilichuk for the game-winner.
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (3-5-2): Blake Kelly; Omar Alba, Bobby Pierre, Delentz Pierre; Gennaro Nigro, Moses Nyeman, Amferny Sinclair, Darón Iskenderian (Seth Powder 85’), Julian Vazquez (Griffon Dillon 65’); Terron Williams, Bertin Jacquesson
Subs not used: Derrek Chan, Gershon Henry, Cayne Madhlangove, Jude Wellings, Luis Rivera
Portland Timbers2 (3-4-3): Ryan Bilichuk; Keesean Ferdinand, Tyler Clegg, Julian Bravo (Jaden Jones-Riley 61’); Blake Pope, Alex Moreno (Selmir Miscic 85’), Victor Griffith, Justin Rasmussen (Michael Dunne 46’); Florián Monzón, Diego Gutiérrez (Josh Penn 46’), Nathan Fogaça (Tega Ikoba 46’)
Subs not used: Carver Miller, Victor Enriquez, Tristan Weber
Stats Summary: RM / PORShots: 13 / 13
Shots on Goal: 7 / 3
Saves: 2 / 4
Corner Kicks: 4 / 4
Fouls: 17 / 17
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RM: Bobby Pierre (caution) 40’
RM: Moses Nyeman (caution) 45+1’
POR: Tyler Clegg (caution) 56’
RM: Gennaro Nigro (caution) 67’
POR: Victor Griffith (caution) 72’
POR: Josh Penn (caution) 90+2’
RM: Griffin Dillon (caution) 90+3’
