PORTLAND, Oregon (Saturday, March 15, 2025) - Real Monarchs (1-0-0, 3pts, 6th West) defeat Portland Timbers 3-2 (0-1-0, opts, 11th West) on the road in the 2025 season opener.
Five of the newest members of the Monarchs debuted today with three in the starting XI; goalkeeper Max Kerkvliet and defenders Wes Charpie and Maximus Jennings. Both Liam O'Gara and Ruben Mesalles got minutes in the second half subbing into the game at the 64th minute.
Real Monarchs had a slow start against the Timbers trailing by one after a penalty kick just outside the box led to a Portland Timbers goal. But, from then on the Monarchs sailed through the first half with a beautiful left footed goal by Aiden Hezarkhani to even up the score. Just three minutes later, Herarkhani assisted teammate Owen Anderson to put the Monarchs ahead.
A goal by Hezarkhani assisted by Omar Marquez allowed the Monarchs to extend their lead in the second half. The two goal lead did not last long with the Timbers putting the ball away just a few minutes later.
In the 95 minutes of play the Monarchs were able to fend off the Timbers and get the win on the road. The Monarchs continue their streak against Portland, not dropping a game to them since the beginning of the 2024 season.
The Monarchs are home for the next two matches, hosting El Farolito Soccer Club for the first round of the U.S. Open Cup Wed. March 19th before Colorado comes to Zions Bank Stadium Sat. March 23rd. Tickets are available at the door at the venue.
POR 2 : 3 SLC
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
POR: Alex Moreno (Unassisted) 19’: Awarded a freekick in the attacking third Moreno went for goal. Struck well, Moreno went up and over the four-man Monarchs wall to the near post finding the upper corner giving Kerkvliet no chance.
SLC: Aiden Hezarkhani (Unassisted) 32’: Receiving a ball on the right wing, Hezarkhani drove upfield entering the attacking third before cutting inside at the top of the box before firing a left footed rocket to the far post.
SLC: Owen Anderson (Aiden Hezarkhani) 35’: Receiving the ball on the right wing once again through a Real Monarchs build up the field, Hezarkhani took a controlling touch before playing a ball across the middle. Hezarkhani found Anderson at the top of the six yard box who tapped in the sitter for the advantage.
SLC: Aiden Hezarkhani (Omar Marquez) 78’: Receiving a ball on the left winn O’Gara played a simple ball centrally to Marquez inside of the attacking third begging for the ball just inside the 18 Hezarkhani received a slip ball from Marquez. Going for goal on his first touch, Hezarkhani whipped a ball with left foot burying his strike into the far post upper corner.
POR: Bryce VanVoorhis (Adolfo Enriquez) 84’: Making a backdoor run VanVoorhis received a longball over the top, taking control touch, a touch to beat O’Gara VanVoorhis slipped in a roller to the near post at the six yard box to narrow Portland’s deficit.
LINEUPS:
Real Monarchs (4-2-3-1): Max Kerkvliet; Tommy Silva (Ruben Mesalles, 65), Zack Farnsworth, Wes Charpie, Maximus Jennings; Griffin Dillon (Liam O’Gara, 65), Noel Caliskan © (Luca Moisa, 65), Omar Marquez (Antonio Riquelme, 82), Aiden Hezarkhani, Owen Anderson (Axel Kei, 65); Zavier Gozo
Subs not used: Gio Calderon, Trace Alphin
Portland Timbers 2 (4-3-3): Trey Muse; Ricardo Bautista (Bryce VanVoorhis, 58), Blake Pope, Malcolm Johnson, Kai Carlson; Eric Izoita (Adolfo Enriquez, 67), Alexis Moreno, Danny Nunez, Kyle Linhares, Reo Griffiths (Gage Guerra, 58), Max Eisenberg (Mateo Bunbury, 82)
Subs not used: Lukas Burns, Maximo Nystrom, Hudson Tate, Jacob Izoita
Stats Summary: POR / SLC
Possession: 52 / 48
Shots: 12 / 13
Shots on Goal: 6 / 5
Corner Kicks: 3 / 6
Fouls: 9 / 15
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SLC: Zachary Farnsworth (Yellow Card, 17’)
POR: Malcolm Johnston (Yellow Card, 56’)
SLC: Zavier Gozo (Yellow Card 90 + 2’)
POR: Victor Adolfo Enriquez Velasquez (Yellow Card 90 + 4’)
