HERRIMAN, Utah (Friday, July 1, 2022) – Real Monarchs (0-11-2, 2 points, 11th in West) return home to face Timbers 2 (1-9-2, 7 points, 10th in West) on Friday, July 1 at 7:00 p.m. MT for its “Christmas in July” celebration. Tickets are available for purchase at rsl.com/monarchs/tickets/.
Friday's match, as well as all Real Monarchs matches this season, will be streamed live via www.MLSnextPro.com.
Real Monarchs vs Timbers 2
Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman, Utah
Friday, July 1 at 7:00 p.m. MT
Game Notes for Saturday’s RM vs POR game Available Online
The Adobe PDF version of the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Game Guide in advance of Friday’s contest between Real Monarchs and Timbers 2 can be found here. Media members looking to receive the document as an attachment or have further questions are asked to please contact Meg Van Dyk in RSL Communications via email at meg.vandyk@rsl.com
2022 Records: Real Monarchs (0-11-2, 2 points); Timbers 2 (1-9-2, 7 points)
Head-to-Head: : Prior to joining MLS NEXT Pro, Real Monarchs and Timbers 2 both competed in the USL Championship, during which the Monarchs and Timbers 2 were equally matched, posting a 5-5-3 record. Most recently, Real Monarchs and Timbers 2 played to a 1-1 draw in the two side’s first-ever meeting in MLS NEXT Pro. Monarchs got on the board behind a goal from captain Pedro Fonseca, while goalkeeper Tomas Gomez posted a season-high nine saves from in between the pipes. However, the Monarchs failed to earn an extra point, falling 4-2 in the shootout.
TIGHT MATCHUP
The last match between Real Monarchs and Timbers 2 on April 24 was the last time the team earned a point on the road, playing to a 1-1 draw at Hillsboro Stadium. The Monarchs and T2 were equally matched throughout the match with the Portland side earning a slight advantage in possession, 51% to 49%, but Real Monarchs dominated in between the posts with nine saves to T2’s three. Real Monarchs and Timbers 2 have historically played tight matchups throughout the two clubs’ six year history. Both teams rely heavily on their academy products and use it as a vital part of each of their professional pipelines to the first team.
MLS NEXT Cup
The Real Salt Lake Academy is currently competing in MLS NEXT Cup in Frisco,Texas with the U-15 side looking to defend its 2021 title and the U-17s participating in the showcase. Defender Luis Rivera and the U-15s have moved onto the semifinals where they will face Sacramento Republic FC on Thursday, June 30 at 6:00 p.m. MT in hopes to make it to the final and compete for back-to-back championships. Additionally, RSL Academy products Jude Wellings, Julio Benitez, Izzy Amparo, Marcus Vasquez, Gabriel Oksanen, and Blake Kelly look to put on a strong showing in the MLS NEXT Cup showcase with the RSL U-17s.
The connection between the RSL Academy and Real Monarchs has been an integral part in the development of players within the Real Salt Lake pipeline. RSL Homegrowns such as Aaron Herrera, Andrew Brody, Tate Schmitt, and Erik Holt have all made their way from the Academy to the Monarchs and are now consistent members of the first team.
The Ugandan Crane
Real Monarchs defender Aziz Kayondo is now tied for first in the league in tackles won with 26 and has done it in only six games. Kayondo is tied with New England Revolution II’s Jose Italo Monteiro Fidelis dos Santos who has played all 13 matches for his club. The Ugandan joined the team prior to the Monarchs matchup with Sporting Kansas City and has only missed two games because of national team duty where he made appearances for Uganda in games against Niger and Algeria.
