HERRIMAN, Utah (Friday, July 6, 2023) – Real Monarchs (5-9-2, 17 points, 12th in West) head to the midwest to face Minnesota United FC 2 (6-5-4, 23 points, 7th in West) on Sunday, July 9 with kickoff set for 5:00 p.m. MT. The Monarchs look to carry the momentum of their last two positive results into Sunday’s match having obtained their second comeback victory of the season against Portland Timbers 2 on June 25 and keeping a clean sheet against Austin FC II on June 30. Manager Jámison Olave’s side struggled during the month of June claiming victory only once in six matches – one win, two draws, three losses, while being outscored by a differential of seven.
Real Monarchs picked up their fourth clean sheet of the season in their last match against Austin FC II picking up a point at home, while Zavier Gozo and Jenthe Mertens made their first appearances since injury. The Monarchs were able to significantly limit Austin’s chances in the final third while creating multiple of their own throughout the match. Despite outshooting Austin FC II by five, while holding the advantage in crosses and corners, the Monarchs were unable to capitalize on their opportunities by full time. Ending in kicks from the penalty mark Austin claimed the extra point up for grabs winning the shootout 4-3.
Real Monarchs vs Minnesota United FC 2 Preview
Real Monarchs arrive in Blaine, Minnesota looking to claim victory against Minnesota United FC 2 after the Loons beat the Monarchs 3-0 at Zions Bank Stadium to open the 2023 campaign. Minnesota’s Diogo Pacheco scored a brace while midfielder Leo Fatorma Conneh added an additional goal to seal the Monarchs’ defeat. The Loons hold the advantage over the Monarchs in MLS NEXT Pro competition having never lost in three all-time meetings and additionally outscoring the Monarchs by four goals.
After Real Salt Lake Academy ‘keeper Blake Kelly and the Monarchs backline shutout Austin FC II in a 0-0 stalemate, the Monarchs have the chance to get back-to-back clean sheets for the first time in MLS NEXT Pro competition. Real Monarchs have not claimed back-to-back shutouts since 2019 when the team competed in the USL Championship. Up Next: Friday, July 14 Real Monarchs will return home to Zions Bank Stadium to face Rocky Mountain rivals Colorado Rapids 2, with kickoff set for 8:00 p.m. MT. Tickets for all Real Monarchs home games, including July 14th’s match vs. the Rapids, can be found at https://www.rsl.com/monarchs/tickets/. If viewing matches remotely, Real Monarchs games can be streamed either via Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass or through https://www.mlsnextpro.com/.
