BLAINE, Minnesota (Sunday,August 21, 2022) – Real Monarchs (3-14-3,12 points) earn its second road point of the season, playing to a 1-1 draw with Minnesota United FC 2 (8-7-5, 33 points), but were unable to steal an extra point in the shootout, falling 3-1 from the penalty spot.
Real Monarchs began the match on the front foot, maintaining most of the possession and shots but were unable to find a clear look on frame. The Monarchs found a breakthrough in the 28th minute when 14-year-old Real Salt Lake Homegrown Axel Kei broke away from the MNUFC2 defense. After beating his defender, Kei cut the ball back and found midfielder Tyrone Mondi making a run into the center of the box and laid the ball off to Mondi for the easy tap-in and 1-0 lead.
As the first 45 minutes of play progressed, Real Monarchs continued to control the match, winning the possession battle and keeping the pressure on the home-side. Despite the attack from the Monarchs, MNUFC2 found its breakthrough in the 40th minute, scoring on a corner kick. On a short-corner, forward Justin McMaster sent a ball into the center of the box and found the head of Nabilai Kibnuguchy for the equalizer. Real Monarchs continued to push, nearly responding on a freekick from midfielder Pedro Fonseca that hit the post but were unable to regain the lead, ending the half tied 1-1.
Coming out of the halftime break, the two clubs came out on equal footing, trading possession and shots but neither was able to find the breakthrough. Despite opportunities on both sides, neither squad was unable to find the back of the net, moving the match to a shootout in hopes of earning an additional point. Despite a save from RSL Homegrown Gavin Beavers, MNUFC2 won the shootout 3-1 behind three saves from goalkeeper Alec Smir.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs will return home for a two-game home stand looking to extend their unbeaten streak at home. The Monarchs will first host Tacoma Defiance on Friday, August 26 at 7:00 p.m. MT on Military Appreciation Night before welcoming Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday, September 3 at 7:00 p.m. MT. Tickets are available for both matches are rsl.com/monarchs/tickets.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
RM: Tyrone Mondi (Axel Kei) 28th Minute: On a breakaway run from Kei, Tyrone Mondi continued his run, finding himself and Kei alone with the MNUFC2 goalkeeper. Kei gave the ball to Mondi for the easy left-footed finish and Club-leading sixth goal of the season.
MNUFC2: Nabilai Kibnuguchy (Justin McMaster) 40th Minute: After receiving the short-corner, McMaster play a ball into the center of the box for Kibnuguchy who was able to direct the ball with his head into the bottom-left corner for the equalizer.
NOTES:
-RSL Academy Product Abokye Bikyeombe returned to the starting XI after coming off the bench last week
-Ugandan International Aziz Kayondo currently leads MLS NEXT Pro in tackles with 39 in just 11 matches, five more than the next player
-Real Monarchs currently lead the league in yellow cards with 63.
-Midfielder Tyrone Mondi now ties fellow midfielder Pedro Fonseca for the Club lead in goals with six.
-With another assist tonight, RSL Homegrown Axel Kei now leads the Monarchs in assists with three.
-Tonight’s draw is only the Monarch’s second road point of the season. The other came in a 1-1 draw with Timbers 2.
Match: Real Monarchs vs Minnesota United FC 2
Date: August 21, 2022
Venue: National Sports Center Stadium
Weather: Sunny and 81
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F PK
Real Monarchs 1 0 1 1
MNUFC2 1 0 1 3
RM: Tyrone Mondi (Axel Kei) 28’
MNUFC2: Nabilai Kibnuguchy (Justin McMaster) 40’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (4-3-3): Gavin Beavers; Pierre Reedy, Jaziel Orozco (Zack Farnsworth, 56’), Golden Mafwenta, Aziz Kayondo; Pedro Fonseca, Abokye Bikyeombe, Christian Nydegger, Benjamin Rodriguez (Terron Williams, 72’), Axel Kei (Yekeson Subah,
86’), Tyrone Mondi
Subs not used: Fernando Delgado, Bobby Pierre, Chris Garcia, Marcelo Mondragon
Minnesota United FC 2 (4-2-3-1): Alec Smir, Carlos Leatherman, Jason Ramos, Devin Padelford, Oniel Fisher, Nicholas Mendonca, Diogo Pacheco (Sagir Arce, 66’), Aziel Jackson, Nabilai Kibnuguchy, Thomas Williamson (Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi 66’), Justin McMaster
Subs not used: Grayson Frum, David Garcia, Perry Blay, Loic Mesanvi, Veljiko Petkovic,
Stats Summary: RM/MNUFC2
Shots: 16/13
Shots on
goal: 5/4
Saves: 3/4
Corner
Kicks: 2/7
Fouls: 8/11
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
MNUFC2: Carlos Leatherman (caution) 32’
RM: Christian Nydegger (caution) 80’
MNUFC2: Jason Ramos (caution) 82’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Youssef Elmessoussi
Assistant Referees: Shane Kennard, Colin Ashley
4th Official: Esad Omanovic
