HERRIMAN, Utah (Wednesday, May 8 2024) - Real Monarchs (2-5-1, 8pts, 10th in West) fall 2-1 to Houston Dynamo 2 (1-4-2, 7pts,12th in West) in their final match of three straight at home.
Through the first 20 minutes of play both teams came out strong, looking to get the three points the night offered. Dangerous plays and shots came from both sides. Each defensive line saw high pressure that forced them into tough spots.
Most of the Houston Dynamo 2 shots came from set pieces and corner kicks. As the Real Monarchs back line scrambled to clean up Houston’s plays, they gave away free kicks from the top corner of the box as well as further out, but a few touches and the Dynamo were in scoring range. Off of these chances, Will Mackay and Bobby Pierre frequently made stops getting the Monarchs out of danger.
The Monarch’s chances came from connecting out the back and crossing the ball in from the corner. Matthew Bell and Ilijah Paul got on the end of some, but they couldn’t seem to put the ball on target as all of the Monarch’s shots went high and wide. Paul had more than one powerful shot from the top of the 18 that went just high enough to soar over the crossbar. His help came from through-balls and connections with Noel Caliskan and his other midfielders.
As the half went on, the sides got a bit scrappy and multiple yellow cards were given out. Houston looked to quicken their pace while the Monarch’s wanted to slow it down. The tensions were high for both teams and shots came up and down the field until the whistle blew for halftime.
The first goal of the game came in the 63rd minute from the Monarch’s side. Aiden Hezarkhani found the net after receiving a ball over the top from Griffin Dillon, winning a hard-fought scrap with a Houton defender near the penalty spot and putting it low and hard past Houston goalkeeper.
The Monarch’s lead was short-lived as Houston responded just over five minutes later. The equalizer was scored by Ousmane Sylla off of a set piece. The Monarch’s gave away a corner kick where Diego Gonzalez sent it in towards the near post as Sylla made the run from the top of the box getting a head on it and finding the back of the net. This equalized the playing field and both teams were energized once again to take the lead.
Houston was able to find the eventual game-winner in the 82nd minute from Stephen Annor Gyamfi. The Dynamo connected through their midfield sending a chip pass to Isaiah Reid. Reid took a touch and quickly crossed the ball into the back post where Annor Gyamfi sailed it past Mackay and into the netting.
The go-ahead goal came late into the second half but the Monarch’s didn’t give up hope. They bombarded Valdez and his backline, taking shot after shot. They put many of these shots on target and forced Valdez to protect his net, but could not find the equalizer.
Real Monarchs hit the road for their first game of two away from Zions Bank Stadium taking on Ventura County FC on May 19th at 6:00 p.m. MT with broadcast available on Apple TV- MLS Season Pass.
SLC 1 : 2 HOU
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
SLC: Aiden Hezarkhani (Griffin Dillon) 63’ Aiden Hezarkhani received a long-ball from Griffin Dillon at the penalty spot to put it low and hard past Valdez.
HOU: Ousmane Sylla (Diego Gonzalez) 69’ Diego Gonzalez sent the ball in towards the near post and Sylla made the run from the top of the box to get a head on it and find the back of the net.
HOU: Stephen Annor Gyamfi (Isaiah Reid) 82’ Isaiah Reid took a touch and quickly crossed the ball into the back post where Annor Gyamfi sailed it into the netting.
LINEUPS:
Real Monarchs (4-4-2): Will Mackay; Omar Alba (Sebastian Joffre, 84), Keller Storlie ©, Bobby Pierre, Zack Farnsworth; Griffin Dillon (Luca Moisa,80), Noel Caliskan, Aiden Hazarkhani (Damien Barker John, 63), Beni Redzic (Omar Marquez, 63); Ilijah Pual, Matthew Bell
Subs not used: Damien Barker John, Jude Wellings, Sean Petrie, Gio Villa, Marzuq Puckerin
Houston Dash 2 (4-3-3): Xavier Valdez; David Nguema (Omar Gray, 55), Obafemi Awodesu, Isaac Mwakutuya, Kieran Glen Sargeant (Isaiah Reid,75); Sebastian Rodriguez, Diego Gonzalez ©, Brooklyn Raines; Exon Arzu (Maddox Findlay, 90+3), Ousmane Sylla, Jordy Jorley Burbano Angulo (Stephen Annor Gyamfi, 55)
Subs not used: Ezekiel Soto, Askeli Ekqvist, Parker Jackson, Nicolas Defreitas-Hansen
Stats Summary: SLC / HOU
Shots: 19 / 11
Shots on Goal: 5 / 6
Saves: 4 / 4
Corner Kicks: 8 / 3
Fouls: 11 / 14
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SLC: Bobby Pierre (Yellow Card, 16), Ilijah Paul (Yellow Card, 28), Noel Caliskan (Yellow Card, 58), Luca Moisa (Yellow Card, 87) 11 total fouls
HOU: Brooklyn Raines (Yellow Card, 19), Diego Gonzalez (Yellow Card, 41), Exon Arzu (90+3) 14 total fouls
