SANDY, Utah (Saturday, July 11, 2020) – Real Monarchs fell 1-0 to San Diego Loyal SC in the USL Championship’s return to play on Saturday in the club’s first match since March 7.
A first half goal from Grant Stoneman was enough to give San Diego the full three points as both sides re-opened USL Championship play.
Both teams started the match with big chances as the sides felt out the game in the early stages. After the Monarchs failed to capitalize on two chances in the first six minutes, goalkeeper Jimmy Slayton was immediately forced into a fantastic save to keep San Diego Loyal SC off the scoresheet and keep the sides level. Now on the front foot, Loyal SC had another shot on goal deflected away by Monarchs defender Andrew Brody before seeing their early push break the tie in the 17th minute. After winning a corner, Loyal SC midfielder Jack Metcalf whipped a corner into the box and found the head of Grant Stoneman for the 1-0 lead.
Following a mandatory water break in the 30th minute, the Monarchs saw their best chance of the half as a cross from midfielder Jack Blake found forward Kyle Coffee, but his shot hit the bottom of the bar and bounce behind the goal line but no goal was awarded.
Coming out of the halftime break, Coffee turned defender, clearing the ball off the line to keep San Diego from doubling the lead. Second half substitute and Monarchs debutant Ryan Sierakowski fired a shot just over the bar in the 55th minute for his best chance of the afternoon.
The Monarchs thought it had brought the match level when in the 86th minute, Sierakowski’s headed effort looked destined to cross the goal line once more, but a clearance from Loyal SC kept the home side off the score sheet as the match ended 1-0.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs play host at Rio Tinto Stadium once again as they welcome Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday, July 18.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
SDL: Grant Stoneman (Jack Metcalf), 17th minute: After Loyal SC found themselves with a corner, Jack Metcalf found the head of Grant Stoneman on the left side of the box who’s flicked header found the inside of the far post for the goal.
NOTES:
- Real Monarchs resumed play for the first time since the league postponed the season in March due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
- The match marked the first team sports match since March 11 to have fans in attendance in the United States.
- Ryan Sierakoski, Devin Vega, Jimmy Slayton, Dayonn Harris, Nicolas Gimenez, Chris Bermudez, Bode Davis and Zack Farnsworth all made their debuts for the Monarchs in the loss.
Match: Real Monarchs vs. San Diego Loyal SC
Date: July 11, 2020
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
Attendance: 816
Weather: Clear and 94 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Monarchs 0 0 0
San Diego Loyal SC 1 0 1
SD: Grant Stoneman (Jack Metcalf) 17’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (3-4-1-2): James Slayton; Taylor Peay, Zack Farnsworth, James Moberg; Andrew Brody, Sam Brown, Jack Blake, Dayonn Harris (Nicolás Giménez, 79’); Devin Vega (Ryan Sierakowski, 45’); Kyle Coffee (Christopher Bermudez, 79’), Bode Davis (Damian German, 62’)
Subs not used: Jeff Dewsnup, Steve Jasso, Jordan Pena
San Diego Loyal SC (4-5-1): Jon Kempin; Jack Metcalf (Emrah Klimenta, 90+2’), Joseph Greenspan, Sal Zizzo, Grant Stoneman; Eric Avila (Francis Atuahene, 72’), Charlie Adams, Collin Martin (Beverly Makangila, 89’), Carlos Alvarez, Robinson Moshobane (Ben Spencer, 90+2’); Irvin Parra (Elijah Martin, 72’)
Subs not used: Jake Fenlason, Morgan Hackworth
STATS SUMMARY: SLC / SDL
Shots: 11 / 10
Shots on Goal: 1 / 5
Saves 6 / 2
Corner Kicks 6 / 1
Fouls: 8 / 7
Offside: 0 / 0
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SD – Eric Avila (caution) 40’
SLC – Ryan Sierakowski (caution) 57’
SD – Sal Zizzo (caution) 63’
SD – Collin Martin (caution) 77’
SD – Carlos Alvarez (caution) 90+7’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Brad Jensen
Assistant Referees: Karsten Gillwald, Bennett Savage
4th Official: Jordan Downs
