HERRIMAN, Utah (Thursday, August 31, 2023) – Coming off an unbeaten streak of four matches in Major League Soccer NEXT Pro competition, Real Monarchs (7-12-5, 28 points, 12th in West) continue the 2023 campaign on Friday, returning home to face Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (8-10-6, 33 points, 9th in West) at Zions Bank Stadium (8:00p MT; tickets available at https://www.rsl.com/monarchs/tickets/). The Monarchs will then travel to the lesser side of the Rockies on September 9 for a rivalry match-up against Colorado Rapids 2 (15-4-5, 54 points, 1st in West), the only team in the Western Conference to clinch a playoff spot thus far (7:30p MT).
Real Monarchs return to Zions Bank Stadium unbeaten in their last four matches, securing draws against Earthquakes II, North Texas SC, and Galaxy II while picking up a 1-0 win in their last match against LAFC2. With their unbeaten streak the Monarchs have given themselves the opportunity to compete for a berth into the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs. Real Monarchs are less than ten points behind St. Louis CITY2 who currently hold the Western Conference seventh seed with 37 points; for the Monarchs to keep any playoff hopes alive the team must extend their unbeaten streak against Vancouver Whitecaps 2 at home. While playing at home the Monarchs have been unable to perform posting a record of 1W-7L-4D, one of the worst home records in MLS NEXT Pro. In their last two matches at home Real Monarchs were able to secure points to spark their current unbeaten run by mounting second half comebacks against Earthquakes II and North Texas SC.
In the previous matchup with Vancouver Whitecaps 2, Real Monarchs suffered a 1-0 defeat earlier this year in June. Despite holding the majority of possession throughout the match against Vancouver the Monarchs were unable to secure points against the Whitecaps. The 1-0 loss against Vancouver was the eighth time this season that the Monarchs lost while holding the majority of possession. Real Monarchs were only outshot by a differential of two against the Whitecaps in their last matchup and as the roster returns to full strength the Monarchs have a chance to continue their unbeaten run at home.
Friday’s kickoff against Vancouver Whitecaps 2 starts at 8:00p MT at Zions Bank Stadium and will be streamed for those viewing remotely on Apple TV+ / MLS Season Pass.
