HERRIMAN, Utah (Friday, March 24, 2023) – Real Monarchs (0-1-0, 0 points) suffered a 3-0 loss to Minnesota United FC 2 in the team’s Home Opener at Zions Bank Stadium.
The Monarchs started the match on the front foot with several chances to jump ahead. The clearest came in the 12th minute when Captain Tyrone Mondi had a clear shot but he sent the ball just over the crossbar. The Monarchs continued to press with their high-octane offense, and Duncan Jarvie looked to score his first goal of the season from a corner but his header was saved by the ‘keeper.
The visitors broke the deadlock in the 36th minute after Keith Romanshyn’s through ball set up Diogo Pacheco for an open shot from the six-yard box, giving Minnesota a 1-0 lead. It appeared as if the Monarchs would be able to head into the halftime break with only the one-goal deficit, but a lapse in defense led to Minnesota doubling their lead courtesy of Fatorma Conneh in the 45+2nd minute.
The second half was a continuation of trends from the first when Gozo found himself with another opportunity to open his 2023 scoring account in the 48th minute, but his shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Ten minutes later he was sent off after receiving his second yellow of the night and the team was reduced to 10 men.
With the advantage in hand Pacheco scored his second goal in the 81st minute from a left-footed strike outside the 18-yard-box. The 10-men Monarchs continued to look for a consultation goal, but were unable to thread one through and the match ended 3-0 in favor of the visiting side.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs head to Washington on Sunday, April 2 to face division foes Tacoma Defiance at 8:00 p.m. MT.
GOAL SCORING SUMMARY:
MNUFC2: Diogo Pacheco (Keith Romanshyn) 36th minute: Romanshyn split the defense with a perfectly-timed through ball, setting up Pacheco with an open opportunity in front of goal which he buried in the back of the net.
MNUFC2: Fatorma Conneh (Ekoue Mesanvi) 45+2nd minute: A lapse in defense provided Mesanvi with an open pass inside the six-yard box to assist Conneh on a tap in goal.
MNUFC2: Diogo Pacheco (Fatorma Conneh) 81st minute: Conneh laid the ball off to Pacheco who took a left-footed shot outside the 18-yard-box, beating a diving Blake Kelly.
NOTES:
- Nicholas Nobles, Owen Anderson, Cayne Madhlangove, Zavier Gozo and Duncan Jarvie, all current or former members of the RSL Academy, made their professional debuts.
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (4-3-3): Blake Kelly; Gennaro Nigro, Nicholas Nobles, Omar Alba, Luis Rivera (Marcus Vazquez 46’); Griffin Dillon (Owen Anderson 86’), Tyrone Mondi, Izahi Amparo (Cayne Madhlangove 46’); Zavier Gozo, Duncan Jarvie (Jude Wellings 63’), Terron Williams
Subs not used: Will Mackay, Jah’Mani Stapleton, Marcelo Mondragon, Dominic Berrios
Minnesota United FC 2 (4-2-3-1): Fred Emmings; Juan Mosquera, Geremy Rodas, Britton Fischer, Nicholas Richardson; Rory O’Driscoll, Keith Romanshyn (Cooper Lijewski 84’), Carlos Leatherman; Fatorma Conneh (Tamer Ibsais 84’), Diogo Pacheco, Ekoue Mesanvi
Subs not used: William Pulisic, Thomas Kniser
Stats Summary: RM/MIN
Shots: 6/18
Shots on goal: 3/7
Saves: 3/3
Corner Kicks: 6/4
Fouls: 14/17
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:RM: Zavier Gozo (caution) 20’
RM: Genarro Nigro (caution) 44’
RM: Zavier Gozo (ejection) 58’
RM: Omar Alba (caution) 64’
