SANDY, Utah (Saturday, July 23, 2022) – Real Monarchs defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers FC U-21s 2-0 in its final game of the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Invitational. Defender Golden Mafwenta and midfielder Tyrone Mondi netted goals on either side of the halftime break, and goalkeeper Gavin Beavers earned the clean sheet.
The opening quarter-hour saw back-and-forth play from the Monarchs and Wolves. The Monarchs first chance at goal came when defender Jaziel Orozco was able to pounce on a header at the center of the box off a cross from midfielder Pedro Fonseca in the 6th minute but his shot bounced high.
In the 21st minute the Monarchs broke through to take the 1-0 lead. After a few chances that tested Wolves, it was a corner kick from Fonseca that found the head of Mafwenta at the top of the six-yard box, the streaking defender flicked the cross backwards and into the far corner.
In the dying seconds of the first half, Mondi nearly had the second goal when forward Axel Kei got the ball and dribbled through the 18-yard box, passing the ball off to Mondi for the shot. Mondi took a touch and set up his shot but Wolves goalkeeper Palmi Arinbjorson made a big stop to keep it a one goal game.
In the 68th minute, Mondi found himself open at the top of the 18-yard box and pulled the trigger on a right-footed shot that skimmed just past the post and out of play. Moments later Mondi had another look at goal off a cross from Bret Halsey, but he mistimed the hit and sent the ball high over the crossbar.
Mondi finally put the match to bed in the 89th minute. The goal started with a back heel flick from Jude Wellings to a streaking Aziz Kayondo. The defender sprinted to the end line and crossed it to Mondi who was following through the middle of the 18-yard box. Mondi took one touch before launching his right-footed shot into the roof of the net, extending the lead to 2-0.
The Wolves were unable to claw themselves back into the match as the Monarchs claimed a 2-0 victory, giving Beavers his third shutout in five games and putting the Club on top of the invitational standings.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs will return to regular-season league play on Sunday, July 31 at San Jose Earthquakes II. The Monarchs will then return home on August 5 for Pups at the Pitch against Vancouver Whitecaps 2. Tickets are available at https://www.rsl.com/monarchs/tickets.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
RM: Golden Mafwenta (Pedro Fonseca), 21st minute: Pedro Fonseca sent a near-side corner into the box where he found the head of Golden Mafwenta who headed the pass into the back of the net.
RM: Tyrone Mondi (Aziz Kayondo), 89th minute: After receiving a pass from Wellings, Kayondo took off to the end line before passing the ball to Mondi, who’s right-footed shot from the penalty spot rocketed into the back of the net.
NOTES:
- This match is the Monarchs’ final of the 2022 MLS Next Pro Invitational. There are two remaining matches, one between Toronto FC II and Chelsea on July 23 and one between Colorado Rapids 2 and Wolves on July 27.
- Golden Mafwenta’s goal was his first with Real Monarchs. He joined the club in late April and scored his first goal against Wolves.
- Defender Zack Farnsworth subbed in in the 77th minute, earning his first appearance in two seasons due to an ankle injury.
Match: Real Monarchs vs Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
Date: July 23, 2022
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium
Weather: 88 and Sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Monarchs 1 1 2
RM: Golden Mafwenta (Pedro Fonseca) 21’
RM: Tyrone Mondi (Aziz Kayondo) 89’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (4-3-3): Gavin Beavers; Golden Mafwenta, Jaziel Orozco, Aziz Kayondo (Marcello Mondragon, 90+2’), Bret Halsey; Pedro Fonseca (Yekeson Subah, 90+2’), Abokye Bikyeombe (Julio Benitez, 90+2’), Tyrone Mondi (Marcuz Vasquez, 90+2’); Benjamin Rodriguez (Pierre Reedy, 61), Axel Kei (Zack Farnsworth, 78’), Terron Williams (Jude Wellings, 61’)
Subs not used: Blake Kelly, Chris Nydegger, Christopher Garcia
Wolverhampton Wanderers (3-4-3): Palmi Arinbjorson (Joe Young, 46’); Kandola Kamran (Jack Scott, 46’), Oliver Tipton, Justin Hubner; Luke Matheson (Temple Ojinaka, 61’), Dylan Scicluna, Jack Hodnett (Josh Esen, 67’), Aaron Keto-Diyawa; Harry Birtwistle, Lee Harkin, Tyler Roberts (Nathan Fraser, 61’)
Stats Summary: WOL / RM
Shots: 1 / 15
Shots on Goal: 1/ 5
Saves: 5/ 9
Corner Kicks: 1 / 7
Fouls: 13 / 12
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
WOL: Harry Birtwistle (caution) 57’
RM: Pedro Fonseca (caution) 67’
RM: Golden Madwenta (caution) 73’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Taylor Mott
Assistant Referee: Kareem Gillwald
Assistant Referee: Joshua Mills
Fourth Official: Omeed Azadpour
