HERRIMAN, Utah (Friday, June 30, 2023) – Real Monarchs (5-9-2, 18 points, 12th in West) settled for a 0-0 draw with Austin FC II at Zions Bank Stadium, securing a point, but failing to earn the second in the postgame shootout.
Through the first 10 minutes of the match both sides struggled to find chances to pull ahead early as both defenses seemed impenetrable. The first shot of the match came in the 13th minute after Austin FC II awarded Real Monarchs a freekick outside of the 18-yard-box, Gennaro Nigro swung in a lofted cross to connect with the head of **Delentz Pierre** who put the header just wide of goal. The next chance for the Monarchs would come seven minutes later when Darón Iskenderian fired a shot towards goal, but it skipped over the crossbar.
Nearing the close of the first half, both teams continued to limit the other's chances in the final third. In the 40th minute it appeared as if Real Monarchs would be first to score when Julian Vázquez launched a curling shot from outside the 18-yard-box, but it clipped the woodwork landing wide. In the first minute of stoppage time Griffin Dillon found himself with perhaps the best opportunity of the half, as the midfielder created ample separation from his defender upon executing a ball chop allowing him to fire a shot into the top left corner which was saved by Damian Las, leaving the two sides scoreless heading into the halftime break.
The start of the second half was a continuation of the first as neither side could find the go ahead goal. Real Monarchs continued to pressure Austin in the final third, but despite creating a barrage of looks the Monarchs continued to struggle at placing shots on goal. Iskenderian, in the 79th minute, found himself without a marking defender and fired a long shot towards goal in an attempt to find the back of the net, however Las was able to punch the shot away. At the conclusion of full time neither team was able to find the back of the net, sending the match into kicks from the penalty spot to determine who would claim the bonus point.
Despite an early first save from goalkeeper Blake Kelly, two stops by Austin’s ‘keeper on shots from Julian Vazquez and Terron Williams gave the visiting side the 4-3 shootout win and the extra point.
UP NEXT: Following a bye week, Real Monarchs will take a road-trip to face Minnesota United 2 for the two sides' second meeting of the season on Sunday, July 9 at 5:00 p.m. MT. The two sides previously met each other to open the season in March where Real Monarchs suffered a 3-0 defeat.
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (4-4-2): Blake Kelly; Omar Alba, Bobby Pierre, Delentze Pierre; Gennaro Nigro, Griffin Dillon (Jenthe Mertens 73’), Amferny Sinclair, Julian Vazquez; Terron Williams, Jude Wellings (Zavier Gozo 58’), Darón Iskenderian
Subs not used: Izahi Amparo, Abokye Bikyeombe, Derrek Chan, Gershon Henry, Nicholas Nobles, Seth Powder, Luis Rivera
Austin FC II (4-3-3): Damian Las; Christopher Pinkman, Joe Hafferty, Salvatore Mazzaferro, Charlie Asensio; Valentin Noël (Bryan Arellano 39’), Alonso Ramírez, Bobosi Byaruhanga; Micah Burton (Emmanuel Johnson 69’), Alfonso Ocampo-Chávezn (Jonathan Santillan 69’), CJ Fodrey
Subs not used: Sebastian Pineau, Christo Vela, Steeve Louis Jean, Emmanuel Johnson, Eric López, Leo Torres
Stats Summary: SLC / ATX IIShots: 9 / 4
Shots on Goal: 2 / 1
Saves: 1 / 2
Corner Kicks: 5 / 3
Fouls: 15 / 10
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
ATX II: Alfonso Ocampo-Chávez (caution) 33’
SLC: Gennaro Nigro (caution) 69’
