ARLINGTON, Texas (Friday, May 24 2024) - Real Monarchs (2-1-7, 8pts, 13th in West) fall 2-1 to North Texas SC (5-4-1, 22 pts, 1st in West) extending their losing streak to four.
In a match that displayed two different styles of play both teams came out of the gate true to their system. The Monarchs liked to maintain possession and develop slowly, moving up the field in a series of passes ultimately looking to play a ball in from behind to create chances. North Texas prefers quite the opposite, moving quickly in transition and holding a high line trying to lure opponents offsides.
In the 6th minute SLC created a real chance getting Zavier Gozo in a 1v1 position playing a ball behind the back line that only Gozo could get to with his pace. The NTX defender did well pressing Gozo to the end line before forcing him to take a shot with little angle towards the near post guiding it wide.
North Texas generated their first chance in the 25’ playing a long ball to their right winger which ensued a footrace between North Texas attackers and the Monarchs back line. Monarchs center back Zack Farnsworth came out of the foot race victorious, getting a tackle on NTX attacker, preventing the cross and goal-scoring opportunity.
The host broke the silence first jumping ahead in the 36’ as Thomas Pondeca received a ball in the final third. Pondeca then slotted a ball inside the 18 to Pedrinho who took a touch inside and chipped Monarchs goalkeeper Will Mackay for the first goal of the night.
It did not take long for SLC to equalize. Pressing forward midfielder Noel Caliskan played a ball up the field to Daron Iskenderian who drove up the midfield and fired a shot five yards outside the 18 towards the near post. The low shot took a bounce right at the keeper's feet, slipping through Michael Collodi’s legs tying the game at one a piece giving Iskenderian his first goal of the year.
Both teams entered the locker room with five shots, one shot on goal, and a 91% passing accuracy with both sides playing their style of football.
After the break, the Monarchs came out on the front foot constantly attacking the host’s net with many of their attacks being called back for offsides. SLC would tally 8 offside calls throughout the duration of the match.
Receiving the ball after baiting Monarchs defender Tommy Silva into an offsides call, North Texas looked to attack. Playing a long ball up the field quickly, Pedrinho laid the ball off to his right to Tarik Scott who took one touch getting himself just inside the 18 before firing a low powerful shot to the bottom left corner. The low shot forced Mackay to make a diving save who got his hand on the shot but ultimately redirected it into the side netting, giving NTX the lead once again.
Despite being down the Monarchs continued to be on the front foot giving themselves constant scoring opportunities. Captain Keller Storlie put two shots on frame within 10 minutes of each other, one forcing Collodi to make a footsave and putting the other off the near post in a headed attempt originating from a set piece.
Texas native and FC Dallas product Beni Redzic subbed on for the Monarchs in the 66th minute immediately making an impact for the claret-and-cobalt. Redzic gave the Monarchs two chances within minutes, putting one shot just high and the other on target forcing Collodi to make a save.
The Monarchs' closest chance to equalize came in the 80’ as Matthew Bell received a ball inside the box taking two touches to the penalty spot looking for an angle to shoot but NTX’s 1v1 defending forced Bell to take too many touches before forcing a turnover.
As the final whistle blew in the 90’ + 4’ it solidified the Monarchs' fourth consecutive loss dropping them down to 13th in the Western Conference portion of the MLS NEXT Pro table. SLC will return home for a two-leg home trip with matches against Austin FC 2 on June 2 and Sporting KC 2 on June 30. The Monarchs sit five points behind the current playoff line and look to use their home crowd to pick up some results in the month of June to reestablish themselves in the playoff picture.
SLC 1 : 2 NTX
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
NTX: Pedrinho, 36th Minute (Tomas Pondeca): Building into the final third North Texas played the ball into the penalty arch before slotting a pass through the Monarchs’ back line. After receiving the ball Pedrinho took one touch inside before chipping Will Mackay giving NTX the lead.
SLC: Daron Iskenderian, 40th Minute (Noel Caliskan): After receiving the ball towards the start of the final third Daron Iskenderian takes his space driving up the field near the touchline taking two touches inside driving towards the edge of the box and fires a low shot five years outside the zone taking a bounce at Michael Collodi’s feet splitting his legs for the equalizer.
NTX: Tarik Scott, 53rd Minute (Pedrinho): After drawing SLC offsides, NTX defender plays a long ball over the top where Monarchs’ defender Keller Storlie gets a head on it deflecting it to Pedrinho who takes a couple touches before laying the Ball to Tarik Scott who takes one touch to get inside the 18 and fires a low powerful shot to the far post deflecting off of Will Mackay’s hand and into the side netting.
LINEUPS:
Real Monarchs (4-4-2): Damien Barker John (Matthew Bell, 66), Zavier Gozo, Daron Iskenderian (Sebastian Joffre, 82); Aiden Hezarkhani (Beni Redzic, 66), Noel Caliskan, Griffin Dillon (Bobby Pierre, 89); Tommy Silva, Zack Farnsworth (Ilijah Paul, 82), Keller Storlie ©, Omar Alba; Will Mackay
Subs not used: Bennett Ewing, Owen Anderson
North Texas SC (4-3-3): Sali (Baran, 50), Scott, Molina (Pepi, 66); Garcia (Mendonca, 78), Pedrinho (Zanne, 79), Pondeca; Parker, Westergren, Gordon, Humphrey (Korca, 65); Collodi
Subs not used: Ramirez, Orejarena, Zanne, Urzua, Darub
Stats Summary: SLC / NTX
Shots: 13 / 9
Shots on Goal: 5 / 2
Saves: 0 / 4
Corner Kicks: 2 / 7
Fouls: 21 / 13
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SLC: Zack Farnsworth (Yellow Card, 56), Keller Storlie (Yellow Card, 85), Omar Alba (Yellow Card, 90+1) 21 total fouls
NTX: Nico Gordon (Yellow Card, 23), Turner Humphrey (Yellow Card, 63), Tomas Pondeca (Yellow Card, 71), Diego Pepi (Yellow Card, 81) 13 total fouls
