HERRIMAN, Utah (Sunday, May 21, 2023) – Real Monarchs (3-6-0, 9 points, 11th in West) drop points at home against Los Angeles FC 2 (1-4-3, 6 points, 14th in West), giving up a win to the City of Angels squad in the first meeting between the two teams. The Monarchs have only won a single game during the 2023 campaign at Zions Bank Stadium posting 1W-4L-0D so far.
Looking to claim their first win in the series against Los Angeles FC 2, Real Monarchs at the sound of the official’s whistle looked to gain an early advantage by controlling the tempo and possession of the match. The Monarchs quickly applied a heavy press against their opposition making aggressive stops in the midfield and defensive third which resulted in Jenthe Mertens being awarded a yellow card in the 4th minute after a tactical foul in the wide areas of the pitch, halting LAFC 2’s attack.
Although Real Monarchs applied heavy pressure to Los Angeles in the opening minutes the away team was able to create an opportunity for goal when Matheus Maia found himself unmarked in the final third. Omar Alba was able to track down Maia and rid him of possession by poking the ball away, yet the ball rolled to the feet of a trailing Yekeson Subah. As Monarchs keeper Blake Kelly came off his line to make a stop Subah slotted the ball between Kelly’s legs and netted a goal against his former club to give LAFC 2 the early lead. After the first goal both sides matched each other's energy as Real Monarchs and LAFC 2 created three chances each but neither team was able to strike the ball between the posts before the first half concluded with LAFC 2 up 1-0.
Trailing by one, Real Monarchs entered the second half looking to draw even with LAFC 2 and in an attempt to regain momentum the Monarchs made a handful of substitutions. Real Monarchs had their best opportunity of the match when they were awarded a free kick in the 55th minute and Julian Vazquez connected a lofted cross to the head of Bobby Pierre who’s header just missed the top right corner. Los Angeles attempted to extend their lead multiple times and fired three shots on goal in a span of ten minutes but Kelly and the Monarch’s backline remained steadfast throughout the second half preventing another goal.
The Monarchs continued to attack LAFC 2’s final third late into the second half and created a flurry of chances. In the 73rd minute the Monarchs were able to get three shots off inside the penalty area but none of the chances bore a goal. Griffin Dillon created the last chance for Real Monarchs when he fired a screamer from 35 yards out into goal, but Los Angeles ‘keeper Jassem Koleillat was able to easily make the save. Despite outshooting LAFC by nine, the Real Monarchs were held scoreless for the fifth time this year, losing 1-0 against LAFC 2 at the conclusion of full time.
GOAL SCORING SUMMARY:
LAFC 2: Yekeson Subah 10th minute: Omar Alba successfully chased down Matheus Maia and made a clean tackle, poking the ball away from the forward. After Maia lost possession of the ball it rolled to the feet of Yekeson Subah who slotted a goal between the legs of keeper Blake Kelly.
UP NEXT: This coming week Real Monarchs travel to Rock Chalk Park to face Western Conference rivals Sporting KC II on Friday, May 26 at 6:00pm MT.
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-2-3-1): Blake Kelly; Delentz Pierre (Amferny Sinclair 45’), Bobby Pierre, Omar Alba, Jenthe Mertens (Cayne Madhlangove 18’); Gilberto Garcia (Duncan Jarive 87’), Griffin Dillon; Jude Wellings (Dominic Berrios 68’), Gennaro Nigro, Terron Williams (Julian Vazquez 45’); Ilijah Paul.
Subs not used: Abokye Bikyeombe, Seth Powder, Derrek Chan, Luis Rivera
Los Angeles FC 2 (4-3-3): Abraham Romero (Jassem Koleilat 45’); Joshua Santiago (Shakir Nixon 75’), Christian Diaz, Armando Avila, Jeremi Rodríguez; Ryan Ayoub, Jermey Batojoa, Tamir Ratoviz (Matthew Evans 75’); Yekeson Subah (Ladji Mallé 80’), Dustin Aguirre (Luca Bombino 69’), Matheus Maia
Subs not used: Luca Bombino, DeCarlo Guerra, Ladji Mallé
Stats Summary: RM / LAFC2Shots: 14 / 5
Shots on Goal: 2 / 5
Saves: 4 / 2
Corner Kicks: 8 / 2
Fouls: 11 / 21
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:RM: Jenthe Mertens (caution) 4’
LAFC 2: Tamir Ratoviz (caution) 31’
LAFC 2: Dustion Aguirre (caution) 50’
LAFC 2: Jermey Batoja (caution) 90’
RM: Ilijah Paul (caution) 90’
