Herriman, Utah (Friday, July 24, 2023) – Real Monarchs fell to German-based TSG Hoffenheim 1-0 in their final game of the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Invitational after the match was called in the 65th minute due to severe lightning in the area, negating the chance for the Monarchs to complete a comeback.
After a 30 minute weather delay the Monarchs and TSG Hoffenheim U23 took to the pitch, looking to claim a win, thus going undefeated in the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Invitational. Hoffenheim took the early advantage in the 13th minute when TSG’s Adam Mulele found the back of the net, slotting a screaming penalty kick past goalkeeper Fernando Delgado. The German side had been awarded the penalty kick after Delgado rushed off his line to make a stop, but instead tackled Andu Kelati while diving for the ball resulting in a yellow card.
At the 30 minute mark the Monarchs began to regain confidence, breaking through Hoffenheim’s backline multiple times and suffocating the opposition’s attack. In the 32nd minute the Monarchs nearly had the equalizer when Darón Iskenderian found Zavier Gozo with an excellent swerve pass from the right wing to the edge of the 18-yard-box. Gozo controlled the pass with an excellent first touch, while holding off his marking defender to create just enough room to find Iskenderian in the box who tapped the ball towards goal, but the attempt was saved. Real Monarchs traded looks before halftime with Hoffenhiem, but neither were able to slot in a goal, entering halftime down 1-0.
As the second half commenced the Monarchs were first to push for goal with a great build up of play resulting in. Winger Bertin Jacquesson dashing down the left wing cut a ball across the face of goal in the direction of Ilijah Paul, but the goalkeeper was able to wrap the ball up. In the 65th minute the match entered another weather delay after lightning was spotted within five miles of Zions Bank Stadium. Neither team would end up returning to the pitch after the match was canceled due to the sustained condition of the weather.
UP NEXT: The Monarchs will resume MLS NEXT Pro regular season play at Zions Bank Stadium against Houston Dynamo 2 at Zions Bank Stadium on Friday, July 28 with kickoff set for 8:00 p.m. MT. In their previous meeting Real Monarchs suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Dynamo.
Real Monarchs (4-3-3): Fernando Delgado (Derrek Chan 15’) ; Cayne Madhlangove, Keller Storlie, Delentze Pierre (Luis Rivera 45’), Bobby Pierre; Zavier Gozo, Moses Neyman, Darón Iskenderian; Amferny Arias-Sinclair, Ilijah Paul, Bertin Jacquesson
Subs not used: Nicholas Nobles, Iziah Amparo, Griffin Dillon, Dominic Berrios, Kurowskybob Pierre, Owen Anderson, Jude Wellings
TSG Hoffenheim (4-4-2): Lúkas Petersson; Felix Hagmann, Aleksëi Carnier, Lukas Mazagg, Louis Schulze; Nick Breitenbüche, Adam Mulele, Valentin Lässig, Andu Kelati; Simon Kalambayi, Frederik Schmahl (
Subs not used: Destiny Uche-Obiogumu, Eric Verstappen, David Mokwa, M. Bogarde, Niklas Sørensen, Tim Drexler, Quincy Butler, Can Karatas, Sören Dieckmann
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RM: Fernando Delgado (caution) 12’
HOFF: Felix Hagmann (caution) 54’
RM: Amferny Arias-Sinclair (caution) 60’
HOFF: Nick Breitenbücher (caution) 64’
