HERRIMAN, Utah (Wednesday, October 27, 2021) – Real Monarchs (5-19-7, 22 points) fell 3-1 to Rio Grande Valley FC Toros in the home finale at Zions Bank Stadium.
The visitors found the back of the net early in the first half after an unfortunate deflection off of a Monarchs defender left forward Christian Sorto one-on-one with the goalkeeper inside the box to give the Toros the 1-0 lead in the 16th minute. The home side found the equalizer in the 41st minute when a collision at the top of the box resulted in the ball being deflected off of Toros defender Adrian Diz Pe and into the back of the net to bring the score to 1-1 at the halftime break.
The Toros struck first again to start the second half when Fjeldberg received the ball on the edge of the box from Sorto. After beating a defender on the left side, Fjeldberg fired a right-footed curler into the top-right corner of the net to retake the lead for the visitors and bring the score to 2-1 in the 62nd minute. Four minutes later, the Toros extended its lead with a free-kick goal into the top-right corner by Rodrigo Lopez, bringing the match to its final scoreline of 3-1.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs travel to Albuquerque to take on New Mexico United in the 2021 USL Championship regular-season finale at Isotopes Park on Saturday, October 30 at 5:00 p.m. MT. The match can be streamed on ESPN+.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
RGV: Christian Sorto, 16th minute: Following a deflection off a Monarchs defender, the ball landed straight at the feet of Toros forward Christian Sorto. Sorto suddenly found himself one on one with the goalkeeper inside the 18-yard box and buried the right-footed curler into the top-right corner of the net.
SLC: Adrian Diz Pe (Own Goal), 41st minute: Monarchs midfielder Bret Halsey sent a looping ball over the Toros’ back line and ahead of midfielder Loe Torres. Torres, the opposing goalkeeper and Toros defender Adrian Diz Pe got to the ball simultaneously, and the ball deflected off of Diz Pe into the back of the net.
RGV: Jonas Fjeldberg (Christian Sorto), 62nd minute: On the left side of the 18-yard box, Jonas Fjedlberg shook off a Monarchs defender and dribbled deeper into the box before curling the ball around the goalkeeper and into the top-right corner of the match.
RGV: Rodrigo Lopez, 66th minute: Following a foul by Monarchs midfielder Christian Nydegger that stopped an opportunity for Rio Grande Valley FC, the Toros were awarded a free kick near the top-left corner of the 18-yard box. Rodrigo Lopez went for goal and rocketed the right-footed free kick into the top-right corner of the net.
NOTES:
- Real Monarchs captain and defender James Moberg was honored during pregame after announcing his retirement earlier in the week.
- RSL Academy midfielder Jude Wellings earned his first professional appearance for the Monarchs as a 74th minute substitute in the second half of the match.
- Missing the match due to injury were goalkeeper Gavin Beavers, midfielders Brayan Gomez and Charlie Wehan and defender James Moberg.
Match: Real Monarchs vs. Rio Grande Valley FC
Date: October 27, 2021
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium; Herriman, Utah
Weather: Mostly cloudy and 48 degrees
Attendance: 1,688
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Monarchs 1 0 1
Rio Grande Valley FC 1 2 3
RGV: Christian Sorto 16’
SLC: Adrian Diz Pe (Own Goal) 41’
RGV: Jonas Fjeldberg (Christian Sorto) 62’
RGV: Rodrigo Lopez 66’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (5-2-3): Jeff Dewsnup; Malik Johnson, Kevin Saucedo, Kyle Adams, Jaziel Orozco, Bode Davis; Bret Halsey, Christian Nydegger (Jude Wellings, 74’); Josimar Quintero (Sam Brown, 45’), Max Mata, Leo Torres (Yekeson Subah, 74’)
Subs not used: Jimmy Slayton, Timi Sobowale, Daniel Flores, Ibrahim Bancé
Rio Grande Valley FC (3-5-2): Tyler Deric; Baboucarr Njie (Adrian Vera, 71’), Adrian Diz Pe, Carter Manley; Christian Sorto, Andres Flores (Juan Cabezas, 71’), Emilio Ycaza, Rodrigo Lopez (Vicente Sanchez, 79’), Juan Azocar; Frank Lopez (Kyle Edwards, 66’), Jonas Fjeldberg (James Murphy, 79’)
Subs not used: Colin Miller, Roberto Alburquerque
STATS SUMMARY: SLC / RGV
Shots: 7 / 15
Shots on Goal: 2 / 5
Saves: 2 / 2
Corner Kicks: 0 / 8
Fouls: 14 / 12
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SLC: Bode Davis (caution) 34’
RGV: Christian Sorto (caution) 54’
SLC: Christian Nydegger (caution) 65’
SLC: Bret Halsey (caution) 75’
RGV: James Murphy (caution) 88’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Brad Jensen
Assistant Referees: Matthew Schwartz, Chris Canales
4th Official: Jordan Downs
