HERRIMAN, Utah (Friday, September 2, 2022) – Real Monarchs (4-14-3, 15 points, 10th in West) are set to host Western Conference foes Timbers 2 (1-16-3, 9 points, 11th in West) for their third and final meeting of the 2022 season. The Monarchs will look to extend their home unbeaten streak to seven, across all competitions, as the Club celebrates Community Heroes Night.
Saturday’s match, as well as all Real Monarchs matches this season, will be streamed live via www.MLSnextPro.com.
Real Monarchs vs Timbers 2
Zions Bank Stadium; Herriman, Utah
Saturday, September 3 at 7:00 p.m. MT
Game Notes for Saturday’s RM vs POR game Available Online
The Adobe PDF version of the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Game Guide in advance of Saturday’s contest between Real Monarchs and Timbers 2 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 (4-14-3, 15 points); Timbers 2 (1-16-3, 9 points)
Head-to-Head: Prior to joining MLS NEXT Pro, Real Monarchs and Timbers 2 both competed in the USL Championship, during which the Monarchs and Timbers 2 were equally matched, posting a 5-5-3 record. In their first meeting this season, the Monarchs and T2 battled to a 1-1 draw in Portland, with T2 taking the extra point from the shootout. Most recently, Real Monarchs defeated T2 4-0 on July 1 for the Club’s first win of the MLS NEXT Pro season. The Monarchs were led by Real Salt Lake Homegrown Chris Garcia who netted a goal and earned two assists while fellow RSL Homegrown Axel Kei scored and midfielder Tyrone Mondi secured a brace.
HOME COOKING
Real Monarchs have been brewing up something special at home, winning six consecutive matches in Utah. During this span, the Club has faced top-end talent such as Tacoma Defiance and teams who, until recently, were contending for playoff spots like Sporting Kansas City II and Whitecaps FC 2. This will be the second time the Monarchs have hosted Timbers 2, winning the first matchup 4-0 on July 1.
In the last six matches on Utah soil, the Monarchs have outscored opponents 13-3, while goalkeeper Gavin Beavers has posted four clean sheets. The offensive explosion has been led by midfielder Tyrone Mondi who has scored five goals, while the defense has been captained by Jaziel Orozco, leading the Club to a +10 goal differential and four clean sheets within that time.
BRICKWALL
Real Salt Lake Homegrown Gavin Beavers has come into form as the season comes to a close. Beavers has recorded 29 saves and earned three clean sheets since the start of July in league play. In the MLS NEXT Pro Invitational, the Homegrown made an additional six saves and earned a clean sheet in two matches. Beavers’ play has helped the Monarchs win its last four league matches in Utah, with all three of his MLS NEXT Pro clean sheets coming during the Club’s win streak.
HOMEGROWN FACTORY
Real Monarchs have consistently featured multiple RSL Homegrowns who have provided strong performances throughout the season. The highlight of the homegrown success came last week when Jaziel Orozco sent a long ball to Tate Schmitt for the game-winning goal against Tacoma Defiance. Orozco has consistently appeared for the Monarchs alongside Gavin Beavers, Bode Hidalgo, Chris Garcia and Axel Kei. The group of five have been joined by Erik Holt, Jude Wellings, and Julio Benitez throughout the season, but combined Orozco, Beavers, Hidalgo, Garcia, and Kei account for 4,845 minutes for the Monarchs.
FRESH BLOOD
Real Monarchs have signed a handful of players to MLS NEXT Pro contracts in recent weeks, namely Gennaro Nigro and RSL Academy products Luis Rivera and Fernando Delgado. Nigro comes to Herriman from third-division Italian club Potenza Calcio after spending a little over a month on trial with the Monarchs while Rivera and Delgado have each spent the past two seasons with the RSL Academy. Rivera and Delgado have appeared for the Monarchs previously with Delgado first stepping onto the pitch last season and setting a record as the youngest goalkeeper to ever make his professional debut at 15 years, 2 months, and 22 days. Rivera made his debut at just 14 years old in the Monarchs’ inaugural match in MLS NEXT Pro and then started the two following matches for Real Monarchs, nearly surpassing RSL Homegrown Axel Kei’s record as youngest player in league history.
