HERRIMAN, Utah (Friday, September 1, 2023) – Real Monarchs (8-12-5, 31 points, 11th in West) returned to winning form at home, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 1-0 thanks to Delentz Pierre’s goal in the 69th minute and another clean sheet from 15-year-old goalkeeper Will Mackay.
Looking for their fifth consecutive result, the Monarchs began the contest seeking to establish control of the match. In the 16th minute Axel Kei dangled his defender, setting up fellow teenage standout Zavier Gozo for a shot on target, but Gozo’s attempt from inside the box rolled wide. Just seconds later Whitecaps 2 were in on goal as forward Joe Hanson volleyed an aerial cross from close range, but ‘keeper Will Mackay showed off his reflexes with a quick save to subdue the threat.
In the 24th minute, midfielder Griffin Dillon tracked down his man deep in Monarchs territory to regain possession and sent a long ball to Kei all alone up top, who once again beat his defender and shot low to the ‘keeper’s left forcing a save. Real Monarchs’ top line connected again in the 42nd minute as Terron Williams placed the ball forward for Gozo who’s shot from a narrow angle rattled off the side netting. Despite being tied 0-0 at the break, the Monarchs headed into halftime leading in offensive chances.
As the second half began, Vancouver pushed the Monarchs’ backline searching for a game-changing goal. In the 54th minute Mackay was called on again to defend his net, coming off his line to punch a cross and then leaping like a salmon from a seated position to snag the ball out of the air for a second-consecutive save. Finally, in the 69th minute, the Monarchs broke the deadlock as Bobby Pierre lobbed a cross towards the far post onto the head of brother Delentz, who knocked it home for the 1-0 lead.
Head Coach Jamison Olave’s squad hung on for the remaining 20 minutes to take all three points, the first win at Zions Bank Stadium since April, keeping the Monarchs’ playoff hopes alive.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs will travel across the Rockies to take on Colorado Rapids 2 next Saturday, September 9 with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. MT. In their previous matchup Colorado defeated the Monarchs on July 14 in Herriman 4-1.
Real Monarchs (4-3-3): Will Mackay; Jenthe Mertens, Bobby Pierre, Omar Alba, Delentz Pierre (Luis Rivera 74’); Gilberto Garcia (Amferny Arias Sinclair 82’), Griffin Dillon, Jude Wellings (Dominic Berrios 82’); Terron Williams, Zavier Gozo (Kristian Kelley 67’), Axel Kei
Subs not used: Julian Vazquez, Gershon Henry, Owen Anderson, Joshua Grant
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 (4-3-3): Cohen Park; Elage Bah, Finn Linder (Joshué Ndakala 26’), Lucas Dasovic, Mihail Gherasimencov; Jeevan Badwal, Malcolm Simmons, Giovanni Aguillar; Antoine Coupland, Joe Hanson (Lowell Wright 61’), Gloire Amanda
Subs not used: Trystan Read, Darko Ilic, Malcolm Johnston, Christian Greco-Taylor, Simone Masi
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
WFC2: Jeevan Badwal (caution) 37’
WFC2: Giovanni Aguillar (caution) 43’
RM: Jude Wellings (caution) 44’
RM: Bobby Pierre (caution) 45’
RM: Terron Williams (caution) 56’
