Herriman, Utah (Saturday, September 3, 2022) – Real Monarchs (5-14-3 18 points) defeated Portland Timbers 2 (1-17-3, 9 points) 4-2 following six goals between the two sides in the second half. The dominant offensive performance extended the Club’s unbeaten streak at home to seven matches across all competitions.
Both sides fought back and forth through the first 25 minutes, with much of the ball in the midfield. The Monarchs finally broke free in the 26th minute when midfielder Tyrone Mondi laid the ball off for defender Aziz Kayondo who crossed it to Bode Hidalgo, but the defender’s shot was blocked by the Timbers 2 defense. Portland looked to take the early lead in the 29th minute when Diego Gutierrez outpaced the Monarchs’ defense, but his shot went wide of the goal. The two sides continued to battle in the trenches of the midfield as the half played on, but neither could break through and the squads entered the break knotted at 0-0.
Coming out of halftime, the Monarchs had a couple of close chances, but thanks to the heroics of Hunter Sulte, Portland stayed level. That is until the 54th minute when the Monarchs' offense sparked, taking control of the game. The proverbial dam first broke in the 54th minute when Abokye Bikyeombe found Hidalgo who launched a screamer inside the far post to take the 1-0 lead. Just two minutes later Kayondo crossed the ball in towards Mondi whose left-footed shot blazed past the keeper and into the back of the net for his team-leading seventh goal of the season and the 2-0 lead. Then, in the 66th minute, Bikyeombe added a goal of his own when he spun away from the Portland defense and fired a left-footed shot into the side netting for the 3-0 lead.
Timbers 2 pulled one back in the 80th minute when a shot from Ismaila Jome took a deflection off Hidalgo and rolled over the line, mere inches from the far post. The Monarchs responded just six minutes later when Hidalgo played a short pass into the middle of the box to Golden Mafwenta whose right-footed shot beat Sulte to the far post. Portland would not go down without a fight as Fernando Delgado’s save bounced out to Victor Enriquez whose right-footed shot bounced off of Delgado’s hands and into the goal. Despite their best efforts, Portland was unable to overcome the deficit and the Monarchs extended its home unbeaten streak with the 4-2 victory.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs will travel to Northern California to take on Western Conference foe San Jose Earthquakes II on Friday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. MT before returning home for the final match of the 2022 campaign against Rocky Mountain rivals Colorado Rapids 2 on Sunday, September 18 at 5:00 p.m. MT. Tickets are available for only $5 at www.rsl.com/monarchs/tickets/.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
RM: Bode Davis (Abokye Bikyeombe) 54th minute: Bikeyombe laid off a pass for Davis at the top of the 18-yard-box, the defender took a touch inside before rocketing a shot into the upper-left corner to take the lead.
RM: Tyrone Mondi (Aziz Kayondo) 56th minute: Flanking down the left side, Kayondo sent in a cross towards goal for Mondi to run onto. The midfielder hit the cross mid-air, and like a missle sent it deep into the back of the net.
RM: Abokye Bikyeombe 66th minute: Bikeyombe stripped a Timbers 2 defender of the ball near the top of the 18-yard-box, spinning around he fired a low left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
POR: Bode Hidalgo (OG) 80th minute: Ismalia Jome chipped his shot from the near post overtop Fernando Delgado, taking a deflection off of Hidalgo, the ball appeared to be heading out of bounds, but it crossed over the line mere millimeters from the post.
RM: Golden Mafwenta (Bode Hidalgo) 86th minute: Hidalgo laid off a short pass for Mafwenta to run onto and send a shot soaring past the Timbers 2 goalkeeper.
POR: Victor Enriquez 89th minute: After Fernando Delgado made the initial save, Enriquez cleared up the rebound and tucked one into the back of the net.
NOTES:
-The last time the Monarchs and Timbers 2 met, the Monarchs ripped Portland apart winning 4-0 with goals from Chris Garcia and Axel Kei accompanied by a brace from Tyrone Mondi.
-Today’s match marked the debut of recent signings goalkeeper Fernando Delgado and defender Gennaro Nigro, with both making their first starts in MLS NEXT Pro. In addition, Zack Farnsworth also made his first start for the Monarchs this year since returning from injury in July.
Match: Real Monarchs vs Portland Timbers2
Date: September 3, 2022
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium
Weather: Sunny and 93
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Monarchs 0 4 4
Portland Timbers 2 0 2 2
RM: Bode Hidalgo (Abokye Bikyeombe) 54’
RM: Tyrone Mondi (Aziz Kayondo) 56’
RM: Abokye Bikyeombe 66’
POR: Bode Hidalgo (OG) 80’
RM: Golden Mafwenta (Bode Hidalgo) 86’
POR: Victor Enriquez 89’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (4-3-3): Fernando Delgado; Bode Hidalgo, Jaziel Orozco, Zack Farnsworth (Bobby Pierre 90’), Gennaro Nigro (Luis Rivera 63’); Golden Mafwenta, Abokye Bikyeombe, Jude Wellings (Pierre Reedy 46’); Tyrone Mondi, Aziz Kayondo (Izzy Amparo 83’), Axel Kei (Yekeson Subah 83’)
Subs not used: Gavin Beavers, Marcelo Mondragon
Portland Timbers 2 (4-3-3): Hunter Sulte; Ismaila Jome, Adrian Ortellao, Carlos Vivas (Sawyer Jura 78’), Sivert Haugli; Victor Griffith, Alexis Moreno (Ian Shaul 71’), Christain Mendoza (Victor Enriquez 62’); Dawson McCartney, Diego Gutierrez (Ryan Zellefrow 46’), Selmir Miscic (Johan Hiestroza 62’)
Subs not used: Noah Lawrence, Gerardo Duran, Micael Dunne
Stats Summary: RM/ POR
Shots: 15/13
Shots on goal: 7/2
Saves: 1/3
Corner Kicks: 4/4
Fouls: 9/13
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RM: Zack Farnsworth (caution) 2’
POR: Selmir Miscic (caution) 20’
POR: Victor Griffith (caution) 43’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
Assistant Referees: John Krill, Joshua Mills
4th Official: Baboucarr Jallow
