Real Monarchs SLC 2 vs Phoenix Rising FC 1
November 1, 2019; Scottsdale, Arizona; Casino Arizona Field
Real Monarchs SLC (West 4); Phoenix Rising FC (West 1); Western Conference Semifinal
Man of the Match: Midfielder Jack Blake was an engine in the midfield for the Monarchs to help push his side to the victory over Phoenix Rising FC. The team’s captain put three shots towards goal, two on target and provided four key passes and the equalizing goal to help put the Monarchs in the lead. Blake helped in shutting down the Phoenix offense while providing a dangerous sting in the attacking front for the Monarchs to help earn him Man of the Match in the Western Conference Semifinal.
Telling Stat: 35. Real Monarchs SLC absorbed heavy pressure from Phoenix Rising FC by combining for 35 clearances throughout the night to put a stop to any attacking run. Paired with the 24 tackles and 12 interceptions, the Monarchs held off the league-leading attack to just four shots on target and a single goal to secure the win that earned a spot in the Western Conference Final.
What You Missed: Behind the equalizing strike from Jack Blake and the game-winning goal from Maikel Chang, Real Monarchs made lightning strike twice by becoming the only team to beat Phoenix Rising FC in Arizona twice throughout the 2019 season. Meanwhile, David Ochoa and the Monarchs backline put on a defensive clinic to limit the Rising attack to just four shots on target out of the 24 it took, keeping the hosts to just a single goal.
So What: Real Monarchs advanced another step in the USL Championship Playoffs as it moves to host El Paso Locomotive FC at Zions Bank Stadium in its first appearance in the Western Conference Final. The conference final bout is set for Saturday, November 1 where kick off from Herriman is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. MT. Tickets are available at RealMonarchs.com or by calling 844.REAL.TIX. The winner of Saturday’s match-up will move on to play in the USL Championship Cup where it will face the winner of Indy Eleven and Louisville City FC from the Eastern Conference.
