HERRIMAN, Utah (Saturday, September 11, 2021) – Real Monarchs (4-14-4, 16 points) fell 1-0 to San Antonio FC in a hard-fought match at Zions Bank Stadium.
Near the end of a physical, chippy first half, the Monarchs made a push for the breakthrough on a counter attack following a turnover by San Antonio. Malik Johnson sent a cross into Seth Powder on the left side of the box, but his header missed over the top of the crossbar. Two minutes later in the 45th minute, Josimar Quintero held possession at the top of the box and found a slashing Bret Halsey, who cut to his right and fired the ball on goal, but the shot was saved and the sides went scoreless into the break.
Both sides came out aggressively to start the second half, with San Antonio earning a corner just two minutes in, but the ensuing headed attempt missed wide to the right. A minute later Johnson got out on the break and fired a shot aimed for the bottom right corner, but his shot missed just outside the post. San Antonio came close again in the 53rd minute with a curling shot toward the top right corner from Jose Gallegos, but goalkeeper Jeff Dewsnup quickly punched the ball out to keep the visitors off the board. The visitors found the breakthrough in the 80th minute on a shot from Marcus Epps that took a deflection on its way into the back of the net for the lead. Despite a late push by the Monarchs to level the scoreline, the match ended 1-0 in favor of San Antonio FC.
UP NEXT: The Real Monarchs visit Hartford Athletic for the first-ever match between the sides at Dillon Stadium in Connecticut on Saturday, September 15 at 5:00 p.m. MT. The match can be streamed on ESPN+.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
SA: Marcus Epps (Victor Giro), 80th minute: Following a pass down the left side of the pitch from Victor Giro, Marcus Epps dribbled past three defenders across the top of the box to position himself for a shot. Falling back, Epps fired a shot on frame that took a deflection off of a Monarchs defender before hitting the underside of the crossbar and bouncing into the back of the net.
NOTES:
- Defender Jaziel Orozco left the match with a head injury in the 63rd minute of the match and was replaced by James Moberg to officially mark his 99th appearance for the Real Monarchs.
- After missing the past three matches, forward Charlie Wehan returned from injury as a substitute in the 71st minute while midfielder Brayan Gomez missed his seventh-consecutive match.
- Also missing the match due to injury were goalkeeper Gavin Beavers, midfielder Sam Brown and forward Aris Briggs.
Match: Real Monarchs vs. San Antonio FC
Date: September 11, 2021
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium; Herriman, Utah
Weather: Partly cloudy and 73 degrees
Attendance: 1,649
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Monarchs 0 0 0
San Antonio FC 0 1 1
SA: Marcus Epps (Victor Giro) 80’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (5-2-3-1): Jeff Dewsnup; Daniel Flores (Haroun Conteh 85’), Kevin Saucedo, Jaziel Orozco (James Moberg 62’), Bret Halsey; Julio Benitez (Christian Nydegger 74’), Ibrahim Bancé (Esequiel Coronel 85’); Malik Johnson, Josimar Quintero (Charlie Wehan 71’), Seth Powder; Max Mata
Subs not used: Jimmy Slayton, Frankie Martinez
San Antonio FC (3-4-3): Matt Cardone; Kortne Ford, Mitchell Taintor, Axel Sjoberg; Cameron Lindley (Justin Dhillon 76’), Mohammed Abu, Victor Giro, Connor Maloney; Jose Gallegos, Nathan (Chris Lema 82’), Marcus Epps
Subs not used: Carlos Mercado, Shandon Hopeau, Leo Torres, Joaquin Varela
STATS SUMMARY: SLC / SA
Shots: 11 / 20
Shots on Goal: 1 / 5
Saves: 4 / 1
Corner Kicks: 2 / 11
Fouls: 20 / 8
Offside: 2 / 1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SLC – Kevin Saucedo (caution) 9’
SA – Cameron Lindley (caution) 31’
SLC – Ibrahim Bancé (caution) 35’
SLC – Julio Benitez (caution) 54’
SLC – James Moberg (caution) 64’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Gerald Flores
Assistant Referees: Noah Kenyawani, Cameron Siler
4th Official: Jordan Downs
