Real Monarchs SLC at Phoenix Rising FC
October 12, 2019; Casino Arizona Field; Scottsdale, Arizona
7:00 p.m. MT; ESPN+
Real Monarchs SLC (14-10-7, 49 points, 4 West); Phoenix Rising FC (23-3-6, 75 points, 1 West)
Player to Watch – The Phoenix Rising FC goal has been one of the most secure in the Western Conference largely due to goalkeeper Zac Lubin. In 27 appearances through 2019, Lubin has recorded 13 clean sheets and 73 saves while conceding only 22 goals. With an outstanding save rate of 76.8%, watch for the 30-year-old veteran goalkeeper to be a wall between the posts in Saturday’s contest.
History – The heated series between the Monarchs and Rising FC continues to be a tight one as Phoenix Rising leveled out the record to 6-6-1 with its 2-1 win over the Monarchs in late May at Zions Bank Stadium. In its last outing to Casino Arizona FC in April 2018, the Monarchs secured a late-game winner to end a deadlock for the three points from a 1-0 scoreline. The Monarchs now head south to Arizona once again to face Phoenix Rising FC in the 14th edition of the series as it looks to retake the series lead and further its claim to the fourth spot in the Western Conference.
Last Five – Phoenix Rising FC had a historic 20-game win-streak recently come to end as it stands 3-1-1 in its last five games. After earning its 20th straight win with a 4-1 victory over Los Dos, Rising FC suffered its first loss since early May when it fell 2-1 to the hands of Fresno FC. Phoenix bounced back with a 2-2 draw against Four-Corners Cup rival, New Mexico United before securing the 5-3 win against Portland Timbers 2 at Providence Park. As the season comes to close, the Monarchs will looking to serve Phoenix its first home defeat of 2019 in its quest for the inaugural Four-Corners Cup.
