HERRIMAN, Utah (Saturday, October 26, 2019) – Real Monarchs SLC scored a season-high six goals to defeat Orange County SC 6-2 and secure a spot in the USL Western Conference Semifinals.
DF Tate Schmitt put on an offensive show with one goal and three assists, while MF Jack Blake scored a brace and FW Maikel Chang, FW Douglas Martinez and DF Erik Holt all netted one goal apiece.
Post-Game Quotes from SLC v OCSC
The Monarchs were quick to get on the scoreboard in the 14th minute when Schmitt collected a ball that he cut into the middle to find Chang, who took one touch to redirect inside the far post. Before the half-hour mark, Chang paired perfectly with Martínez by beating out two defenders and finding a Martinez wide open to tap in the second goal in the 28th minute. OCSC wouldn’t go lying down as Michael Orozco took advantage of a bouncing ball with a picture-perfect scissor-kick. While OCSC started swinging momentum to its favor before the half, Monarchs would go on to lead 2-1 at the half.
The second half began an offensive onslaught from Real Monarchs that saw four goals in the second 45 minutes. Blake helped lift the team with goals in the 59th and 90th minute. Additionally, Schmitt volleyed home a goal in the 77th minute and Holt headed in another goal in the 82nd minute.
The win marks the first time the Monarchs have won a playoff match since the club’s inception in 2015 and the first time in club history to make the Western Conference Semifinals.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs SLC advances to the Western Conference Semifinals to play the winner of Phoenix Rising FC and Austin Bold FC, who kick off Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. MT.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
SLC: Maikel Chang (Tate Schmitt), 14th minute: Chang started off the attack in the final third by slipping the ball through the gaps to find Douglas Martinez, who sent a low cross past the face of goal where Schmitt collected. The play finished off perfectly as Schmitt returned the ball to the foot of Chang who redirected to the far post to open the scoring.
SLC: Douglas Martínez (Maikel Chang), 28th minute: Chang set off the attack again getting in behind the defense and taking i to the goal before two OCSC defenders caught up to him. Chang cut back and laid the ball off to the open Martinez, who rifled the shot into the back of the net.
OC: Michael Orozco, 35th minute: As the ball bounced around the Monarchs penalty area, Orozco took no chances meeting the ball as it hung in the air. With a perfectly-timed scissor kick, he sent the ball past the traffic in the box and pulled one back for OCSC to make it 2-1.
SLC: Jack Blake (Tate Schmitt), 59th minute: Schmitt took the ball down into a dangerous area around the OCSC goal where goalkeeper Frederik Due came out to stop the play early. Schmitt sent the ball into the middle of the park where Blake capitalized for the Monarchs third.
SLC: Tate Schmitt (Maikel Chang) 77th minute: From the right side of the box Chang sent a long pass in to Schmitt where he volleyed the ball into the back of the net.
SLC: Erik Holt (Justin Portillo) 82nd minute: After being awarded a free kick just outside the 18-yardbox, Portillo sent a cross in straight to the head of Holt who slammed it home for the fifth goal of the afternoon.
SLC: Jack Blake (Tate Schmitt) 90th minute: In the last minute of regulation time Schmitt served up a cheeky pass to Blake who dribbled into the box and slipped in his second goal of the match to make it 6-1.
OC: Michael Seaton (Darwin Jones) 90th minute: With minutes left on the clock Jones found Seaton inside the box and was able to cut the deficit to just four goals.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS
SLC: Tate Schmitt, 69th minute: Schmitt slotted himself perfectly into goal after GK David Ochoa was beat at the near post with some quick passing by the OCSC attack. Schmitt was able to get in the way and make a goal-line clearance to protect the Monarchs lead.
NOTES:
- Midfielder Ricardo Avila (ankle) was out of action due to injury.
- The Monarchs made hosted its third consecutive home playoff game, earning the victory on a season-high scoreline.
- For the first time in clubhistory, Real Monarchs SLC advances to the Western Conference Semifinals after falling in the Quarterfinal Round in the previous two appearances.
Match: Real Monarchs SLC vs Orange County SC
Date: October 26, 2019
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium
Attendance:
Weather: 61 Degrees and Sunny
Scoring Summary 1 2 F
Real Monarchs SLC 2 4 6
Orange County SC 1 1 2
SLC – Maikel Chang (Tate Schmitt), 14’
SLC – Douglas Martínez (Maikel Chang), 28’
OC – Michael Orozco, 35’
SLC – Jack Blake (Tate Schmitt) 55’
SLC – Tate Schmitt (Maikel Chang)
SLC – Erik Holt (Justin Portillo)
SLC – Jack Blake (Tate Schmitt) 90’
OC – Michael Seaton (Darwin Jones) 90+1’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs SLC (3-5-2): David Ochoa; Erik Holt, Kalen Ryden, Konrad Plewa; Tate Schmitt, Luke Mulholland (Sam Brown 85’), Justin Portillo, Jack Blake, Noah Powder (James Moberg 79’); Maikel Chang, Douglas Martínez (Kyle Coffee 46’)
Subs not used: Evan Finney, Steve Jasso, Luis Arriaga, Damian German
Orange County SC (4-3-1-2): Frederik Due; Kevin Alston, Joe Amico (Giovanni Ramos-Godoy 64’), Walker Hume, Michael Orozco; Christian Duke (Danny Crisostomo 46’), Aodhan Quinn, Harry Forrester; Vinicius (Darwin Jones 46’); Michael Seaton, Jerry van Wolfgang
Subs not used: Carlos Lopez, Leonardo, Kontor Owusu-Ansah, Kevin Coleman
Stats Summary: SLC/OC
Shots: 16 / 11
Shots on Goal: 9 / 4
Saves: 1 / 4
Corner Kicks: 3 / 4
Fouls: 10 / 15
Offside: 2 / 4
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SLC – Luke Mulholland (Caution) 34’
OC – Harry Forrester (Caution) 40’
OC – Harry Forrester (2nd Caution, Ejection) 50’
OC – Walker Hume (Caution) 67’
OC – Michael Orozco (Caution) 80’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
Assistant Referees: Shane Kennard, Matthew Rodman
4th Official: Brad Jensen
