HERRIMAN, Utah (Wednesday, June 30, 2021) – Real Monarchs (2-5-4, 10 points) defeated New Mexico United 3-2 at Zions Bank Stadium in dramatic come-from-behind fashion to earn the team’s second-ever win against the formidable opponent.
A first-half goal from Justin Portillo, followed by second-half goals from Aris Briggs and Noah Powder were enough to overcome the two-goal deficit created by New Mexico United’s Daniel Bruce and Andrew Tinari.
New Mexico took the early lead in the 15th minute with a goal from Bruce and then doubled the lead with a left-footed rocket from Tinari just ten minutes later. The Monarchs cut the lead in half in the 38th minute with a long-distance goal from Portillo, giving the home side something to build on heading into the second half.
In the 54th minute, Briggs volleyed home the equalizing goal from inside the box on a low-crossing pass from Douglas Martínez. With momentum on the home team’s side, Powder fired the game-winning shot from well outside the box to give the Monarchs the lead in the 65th minute. Holding strong defensively the rest of the night, the Monarchs finished the night with all three points in hand.
UP NEXT: The Real Monarchs head to Colorado Springs to take on Switchbacks FC at Weidner Field on Sunday, July 4 at 6:30 p.m. MT. The match can be streamed on ESPN+.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
NM: Daniel Bruce (Andrew Tinari), 15th minute: New Mexico United midfielder Andrew Tinari passed the ball to midfielder Daniel Bruce, who fired a right-footed shot from outside the box into the bottom-left corner of the net.
NM: Andrew Tinari (Daniel Bruce), 25th minute: Midfielder Daniel Bruce passed the ball across the top of the box to midfielder Andrew Tinari, who dribbled past the Monarchs defense to the top-right side of the box before cutting back to his left foot. Following the cut back, Tinari sent a left-footed curling shot past the keeper and into the top left corner of the net.
SLC: Justin Portillo (Milan Iloski), 38th minute: Monarchs forward Douglas Martínez received the ball on the right side of the box, cut back to his left foot and dumped the ball off to a trailing Milan Iloski. Iloski then laid the ball off to midfielder Justin Portillo, who loaded up from distance and fired a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner of the goal.
SLC: Aris Briggs (Douglas Martínez), 54th minute: Douglas Martínez dribbled down the right side of the box and sent a cross into the box towards a streaking Aris Briggs. Briggs chested the ball down and fired a right-footed volley past the keeper and into the net.
SLC: Noah Powder, 65th minute: From far outside the box on the right side of the pitch, Monarchs defender Noah Powder blasted a long-distance shot into the top left corner of the goal.
NOTES:
- Forward Aris Briggs scored his first professional goal in the 54th minute of his first professional start for the Real Monarchs in the match.
- Defender Noah Powder recorded his first goal of the season to give the Monarchs the lead in the 65th minute of the match.
Match: Real Monarchs vs. New Mexico United
Date: June 30, 2021
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium; Herriman, Utah
Attendance: 965
Weather: Sunny and 82 degrees
Scoring Summary:1 2 F
Real Monarchs 1 2 3
New Mexico United 2 0 2
NM: Daniel Bruce (Andrew Tinari) 15’
NM: Andrew Tinari (Daniel Bruce) 25’
SLC: Justin Portillo (Milan Iloski) 38’
SLC: Aris Briggs (Douglas Martínez) 54’
SLC: Noah Powder 65’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (4-2-3-1): Gavin Beavers; Noah Powder, Kyle Adams, Kevin Saucedo, Ashtone Morgan; Justin Portillo, Sam Brown; Douglas Martínez, Milan Iloski (Griffin Dillon, 90’), Charlie Wehan (Malik Johnson, 68’); Aris Briggs (Max Mata, 87’)
Subs not used: Mirza Harambasic, Timi Sobowale, Josimar Quintero, Chris Garcia
New Mexico United (3-4-1-2): Phillip Beigl; Justin Schmidt, Kalen Ryden, Rashid Tetteh; Daniel Bruce (Michael Azira, 71’), Juan Guzman (Isidro Martinez, 71’), Sergio Rivas (Austin Yearwood, 83’), Josh Suggs; Andrew Tinari; Ilija Ilic (Brian Brown, 59’), Devon Sandoval
Subs not used: Alex Tambakis, Sam Hamilton, Alex Touche
STATS SUMMARY: SLC / NM
Shots: 10 / 20
Shots on Goal: 5 / 6
Saves: 4 / 2
Corner Kicks: 5 / 4
Fouls: 9 / 17
Offside: 2 / 1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
None
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Calin Radosav
Assistant Referees: Kevin Lock, Bennett Savage
4th Official: Jordan Downs
