HERRIMAN, Utah. (Sunday, June 18, 2023) – Real Monarchs (4-9-1, 14 points, 12th in West) suffered a 4-1 loss to St. Louis CITY 2 (4-6-5, 21 points, 7th in West) at Zions Bank Stadium.
Looking to attack early, St. Louis CITY 2 struck a deep pass into the Monarchs final third within the opening seconds of the match. Real Monarchs dealt with the initial attempt, clearing the danger but the ball rolled to the feet of CITY 2’s AJ Palazzolo at the top of the 18-yard-box and would be struck into the bottom left corner of goal, handing St. Louis the early 1-0 advantage in the first minute. St. Louis continued to take advantage of the Monarchs as they notched their second goal in the 21st minute. After receiving a pass at the top of the penalty area Jude Wellings was tackled from behind by Sergio Rivas. Rivas, who won possession, dribbled into the box unmarked and fired a shot past a diving Delgado allowing St. Louis to take the 2-0 lead.
The offensive onslaught of St. Louis continued in the 42nd minute as Dida Armstrong rolled a gentle cross into the center of the box to a trailing Wan Kuzain. Kuzain caught the Monarchs rearguard unaware as he slotted the ball into the top left corner of goal. Before the end of the first half Real Monarchs would rally to score a goal after Daron Iskenderian drew a penalty kick after being aggressively tackled from behind. Iskenderian, determined to notch a goal before halftime, stepped up to take the penalty. The Monarchs newest signing converted the attempt as the ball flew into the top right corner allowing Real Monarchs to head into the break trailing 3-1.
As the second half commenced St. Louis immediately found the back of the net in the 46th minute, with a well placed through ball Rivas picked out Armstrong as he dashed down the wing beating Cayne Madhlangove in a foot race. Armstrong dashed into the box and slotted a goal after striking the ball with the outside of his foot into the top corner. Despite Real Monarchs holding 58% of possession, their largest share of possession in any game this year, the Monarchs were unable to create significant chances and break through CITY 2’s rearguard losing 4-1 at full time.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs are on the road next Sunday, June 25 to take on Portland Timbers2 at 7:00 p.m. MT. The team will return to Zions Bank Stadium on June 30 to face Austin FC II for the Club’s annual Pride Night at 8:00 p.m. MT.
GOAL SCORING SUMMARY:
STL: AJ Palazzolo 1st minute: After receiving a loose ball outside the penalty area an unmarked Palazzolo would fire a shot into the bottom right corner of goal from 19 yards out, sneaking the ball under the outstretched arm of ‘keeper Delgado.
STL: Sergio Rivas 21st minute: Rivas caught Real Monarchs midfielder Jude Wellings unawares as he received a pass at the top of the box. Rivas made a clean tackle from behind poking the ball loose from Wellings, sending it rolling into the penalty area. Rivas beat Wellings to the ball and slotted a shot while unmarked into the bottom corner.
STL: Wan Kuzain (Dida Armstrong) 42nd minute: St. Louis’s AJ Palazzolo received a throw-in and found his teammate Dida Armstrong down the left wing. Armstrong dribbled past multiple Monarchs defenders before rolling a cross into the box into the feet of Wan Kuzain. Kuzain unmarked in the center of the penalty area immediately found the back of the net
SLC: Daron Iskenderian (Penalty Kick) 45+1st minute: Real Monarchs were awarded a penalty kick for a foul on Iskenderian inside the 18-yard-box. Iskenderian pounded his shot just underneath the crossbar.
STL: Dida Armstrong (Sergio Rivas) 46th minute: Armstrong beat his man with pace on the wing upon receiving a through ball and darted into the left side of the box. Unmarked in the box with only the ‘keeper to beat, Armstrong slotted the ball into the top corner for goal.
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (4-2-3-1): Fernando Delgado; Cayne Madhlangove, Omar Alba, Bobby Pierre, Luis Rivera (Gershon Henry 83’); Amferny Sinclair, Jude Wellings; Gilberto Garica (Seth Powder 46’), Daron Iskenderian, Julian Vazquez; Terron Williams
Subs not used: Blake Kelly, Abokye Bikyeombe
St. Louis CITY 2 (4-4-2): Michael Creek; Sergio Rivas, Michael Wentzel, Fritz Volmar, Ezra Armstrong; Nolan McGuire, AJ Palazzolo (Larsen Hackworth 68’), Ryley Gibbs, Wan Kuzain (Owen O’Malley 68’); Faysal Bettache (John Klein 68’), Dida Armstrong
Subs not used: Stanislav Koval, Eric Walker, Josh Maher
Stats Summary: SLC / STL 2Shots: 7 / 11
Shots on Goal: 3 / 5
Saves: 1 / 2
Corner Kicks: 7 / 3
Fouls: 18 / 19
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
STL 2: AJ Palazzolo (caution) 32’
STL 2: Wan Kuzain (caution) 60’
SLC: Daron Iskenderian (caution) 89’
SLC: Gershon Henry (caution) 90’+1’
