HERRIMAN, Utah (Thursday, September 7, 2023) – Remaining unbeaten in their last five matches in Major League Soccer NEXT Pro competition, Real Monarchs (8-12-5, 31 points, 11th in West) continue their hunt for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference traveling across the Rocky Mountains to face rivals Colorado Rapids 2 (16-4-5, 57 points, 1st in West) at University of Denver Soccer Stadium (7:30p MT). After their match against Rapids 2 the Monarchs will return to the Beehive State to face off against Tacoma Defiance (12-5-8, 49 points, 2nd in West) for their final home match of the 2023 season (8:00p MT; tickets available at https://www.rsl.com/monarchs/tickets/).
Real Monarchs head to University of Denver Soccer Stadium coming off two consecutive wins and holding one of the best road records in MLS NEXT Pro this season having posted a 5W-5L-1D record. By securing victories in their last two and remaining unbeaten in their last five the Real Monarchs have climbed into the 11th spot in the Western Conference tied with foes Portland Timbers 2. The Monarchs are closing the gap between them and Minnesota United FC 2, who currently holds the final seventh seed with 38 points. In order for Real Monarchs to keep any playoff hopes alive they must beat the best in the Western Conference on the road.
When facing Colorado Rapids 2 in MLS NEXT Pro competition, Real Monarchs have garnered a 1W-2L-0D record against their rivals. The Monarchs only win against the Rapids came in the final game of the 2022 season as the team scored a late goal in the 86th minute to claim the 2-1 victory at Zions Bank Stadium. When playing Colorado Rapids 2 on the road the Monarchs have never been victorious and have been outscored by a differential of two. Saturday’s match-up will be the second meeting this season between Rapids 2 and Real Monarchs having previously met in July at Zions Bank Stadium where Colorado was dominant in a 4-1 win.
Saturday’s kickoff against Colorado Rapids 2 starts at 7:30p MT at University of Denver Stadium and will be streamed for those viewing remotely on MLSNEXTPro.com.
