Tukwila, Washington (Sunday, May 15, 2022) – Real Monarchs (0-4-2, 2 points) were held scoreless at Tacoma Defiance, suffering a 2-0 defeat at Starfire Sports Complex.
In the second meeting between the two sides, the Monarchs were forced on their backfoot early, conceding a goal in the fourth minute. Seattle Homegrown Reed Baker-Whiting was able to squeeze the ball into the bottom left corner after bouncing around the six-yard box to open up the scoring. Real Monarchs looked to respond in the 14th when Fonsecasplit two defenders on a through ball to find defender Pierre Reedy. Reedy rocketed the ball past Defiance goalkeeper Andrew Thomas and into the top right corner but was judged to be offside by the assistant referee.
As the half progressed, both sides saw opportunities, splitting possession and shots with the best opportunity for the Monarchs coming in the 42nd minute. RSL Homegrown Chris Garcia tried to spark some magic on his own, beating two defenders on a solo run before being fouled just outside the 18-yard-box. Unfortunately, the Club was unable to convert on the free kick, ending the first half under a 1-0 deficit.
At the opening of the second half, Real Monarchs came out as the aggressors, nearly scoring in the 52nd minute. After a foul suffered by Reedy, defender Golden Mafwenta curled a ball from 35 yards out just over the crossbar. However, despite having the majority of the possession, Tacoma doubled their lead just minutes later with a goal to extend their lead to 2-0. As the Monarchs were playing through its backline, defender Bobby Pierre mishit a pass back to RSL Homegrown Gavin Beavers which was tracked down by Baker-Whiting. Baker-Whiting was able to find midfielder Marlon Vargas who easily skipped the ball over the line.
The Monarchs continued to seek its first goal of the night, finding multiple opportunities in the final 20 minutes. It seemed as if the goal may have finally come in the 71st minute after a cross from defender Aziz Kayondo saw three-consecutive shots fired on target, including one from new Monarchs signing Benjamin Rodriguez, but were all saved by Thomas. Despite the late-game push, the Monarchs were unable to add to the score sheet falling to Tacoma Defiance 2-0.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs will return to Zions Bank Stadium for Pride Night, facing North Texas SC on Friday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m. MT. The Monarchs will finish its two-game homestand just five days later on Wednesday, May 25 at 7:00 p.m. MT against Houston Dynamo 2. Tickets can be purchased for just $5 at https://www.rsl.com/monarchs/tickets/.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
TAC: Reed Baker-Whiting 4th minute: After a penetrating run by the Tacoma Defiance attack, Beavers made the initial save before the ball bounced around the box and fell to Baker-Whiting. Baker-Whiting was able to slide the ball into the bottom-left corner to take the 1-0 lead.
TAC: Marlon Vargas 54th minute: After a miscue in the Monarchs backline, Baker-Whiting was able to win the ball and find himself alone on Beavers with Vargas waiting on the wing. Baker-Whiting laid it off to Vargas who was able to put away the easy finish.
NOTES:
- RSL Homegrown Jaziel Orozco made his season debut for the Monarchs, while forward Benjamin Rodriguez made his first appearance since singing with the Club on May 11.
- This is the second of three meetings between Real Monarchs and Tacoma Defiance this season. The two squads will meet for the third and final time at Zions Bank Stadium on August 26.
- Monarchs forward Terron Williams and other RSL Academy products were unavailable due to being on assignment with the RSL Academy at MLS NEXT Flex.
Match: Real Monarchs at Tacoma Defiance
Date: May 15, 2022
Venue: Starfire Sports Complex, Tukwila, Washington
Weather: 60 and Cloudy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Monarchs 0 0 0
Tacoma Defiance 1 1 0
TAC: Reed Baker-Whiting 4’
TAC: Marlon Vargas 54’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (4-3-3): Gavin Beavers, Pierre Reedy (Leo Torres 86’), Bobby Pierre, Golden Mafwenta, Aziz Kayondo, Bode Davis, Jaziel Orozco, Pedro Fonseca, Jack Imperato (Benjamin Rodriguez 60’), Tyrone Mondi, Chris Garcia
Subs not used: Javier Zaragozo
Tacoma Defiance (4-3-3): Andrew Thomas, Joe Hafferty, Achille Robin, Eric Kinzner, Randy Mendoza (Travian Sousa 70’), Daniel Leyva (Juan Alvarez 70’), Adolfo Ovalle, Dylan Teves(Georgi Minoungou 62’), Marlon Vargas, Reed Baker-Whiting (Samuel Adeniran 62’), Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez
Subs not used: Wyatt Nelson, Stuart Hawkins, Cody Baker, Valentin Sabella, Antonio Herrera
Stats Summary: TAC / RM
Shots: 7 / 8
Shots on Goal: 2 / 3
Saves: 3 / 0
Corner Kicks: 5 / 1
Fouls: 17 / 11
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RM: Gavin Beavers (caution) 55’
RM: Jaziel Orozco (caution) 56’
TAC: Adolfo Ovalle (caution) 66’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Corbyn May
Assistant Referees: CJ Koll, Cephas Quartson
4th Official: Adorae Monroy
