HERRIMAN, Utah (August 25, 2022) – Real Monarchs (3-14-3, 12 points, 10th in West) will host league-leading Tacoma Defiance (13-4-4, 46 points, 1st in West) in the final of three matchups between the two clubs this season on Friday, August 26 with kickoff at 7:00 p.m. MT.
Friday’s match, as well as all Real Monarchs matches this season, will be streamed live via www.MLSnextPro.com
Real Monarchs vs Tacoma Defiance
Zions Bank Stadium; Herriman, Utah
Friday, August 26 at 7:00 p.m. MT
Game Notes for Friday’s RM vs TAC game Available Online
The Adobe PDF version of the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Game Guide in advance of Friday’s contest between Real Monarchs and Tacoma Defiance can be found here. Media members looking to receive the document as an attachment or have further questions are asked to please contact Meg Van Dyk in RSL Communications via email at meg.vandyk@rsl.com
2022 Records: Real Monarchs (3-14-3, 12 points); Tacoma Defiance (13-4-4, 46 points)
Head-to-Head: The clubs have faced off twice this year, both in Washington, with the Defiance defeating the Monarchs 4-0 in the season opener and coming away as 2-0 victors in a May 15 rematch. Prior to joining MLS NEXT Pro, Real Monarchs and Tacoma Defiance each competed in the USL Championship. Since its 2015 inception, Real Monarchs earned a dominant record against the team from Seattle, posting a 9-2-2 (W-L-T) all-time record against the side. Last summer, the clubs played to a 1-1 draw, with a Monarchs goal from Malik Johnson on June 23, 2021, in what would become the final USL Championship meeting between the two teams.
POINT ON THE ROAD
In its last match, Real Monarchs played to a 1-1 draw with Minnesota United FC 2, earning its second road point of the season. The Monarchs put on an overall dominant performance, controlling much of the possession and outshooting MNUFC2 16 to13. Midfielder Tyrone Mondi and Forward Axel Kei starred in the match with Mondi netting his Club-leading sixth goal and Kei earning his Club-leading third assist of the season. Real Monarchs were unable to secure the additional point in the shootout, falling 3-1 in points from the penalty spot.
PERFECT MIX?
While Tacoma is a dominant 9-1-1 (W-L-D) at home, they are 4-3-3 on the road. The Monarchs are starting to pick up steam at home, winning its last three home matches in league play by a score of 8-1. Including the win and draw with Chelsea and Wolves, the Club is undefeated in its last five matches in Utah, outscoring their opponents 12-3. The Monarchs will need to maintain that high-scoring output to keep up with Tacoma, who lead the league in goals scored with 56. Is the Monarchs’ home dominance and Tacoma’s road struggle the perfect mix for an upset?
THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM
While the Monarchs have lost both previous matches to the Defiance, the Tacoma side hosted both games. With Tacoma traveling to Utah for the third and final matchup between the two clubs and the Monarchs on a five-game unbeaten streak at home across all competitions, the odds just might be in the Monarchs’ favor to pull off the upset.
HOMEGROWN HOMECOMING
Former RSL Homegrown Adolfo “Fito” Ovalle will return to Utah with Tacoma Defiance to play against his former club for the first time since leaving. Ovalle played in the RSL Academy from 2012 to 2015 before signing a homegrown contract in 2015 with the organization. During his time here, Fito made 29 appearances with Real Monarchs and helped the U-16 academy team win the 2012-13 US Soccer Development Academy National Championship. The defender has played in 15 matches for the Defiance, nine of which were starts, and recorded an assist Tacoma’s 5-1 victory over St. Louis City 2.
