BLAINE, Minnesota (Sunday, July 9, 2023) – Real Monarchs (6-9-2, 21 points, 11th in West) defeated Minnesota United 2 on the road for their fifth road victory of the season elevating themselves to a road record of 5W-4L-0D during the 2023 campaign, thus far.
Both Real Monarchs and Minnesota United FC 2 looked dangerous in the opening minutes of the match, taking advantage of the others' mistakes. Multiple players fired dangerous attempts towards goal with a total of four shots shared between the two sides within the first ten minutes. In the 19th minute it seemed Minnesota would be the first to score when Cameron Dunbar fired a shot on target, but Fernando Delgado was there to make the save as the Real Salt Lake Academy product came off his line to block the shot.
As the first-half continued Minnesota United increasingly pressured the Monarch’s rearguard and forced multiple mistakes that led to six shots inside the box for the Loons within the first 25 minutes of the match. After Delgado tossed the ball away in the 25th minute, Dunbar had a clear look at goal and fired a rapid shot towards the near post. Determined to clean up his mistake, Delgado quickly recovered, collapsing to make another stop to keep the score even at zero.
As the first-half drew to a close Real Monarchs were awarded a penalty after Julian Vazquez was shoved to the ground by Mikael Marqués in the 36th minute inside the Loon’s penalty area. 2023 MLS SuperDraft pick Ilijah Paul stepped up to the mark to take the penalty kick and slotted the ball past a diving Alec Smir, thwarting Minnesota United’s chance to claim their fourth shutout in a row and handing Real Monarchs the 1-0 lead just before the half.
Real Monarchs immediately found the back of the net at the start of the second half in the 46th minute. Darón Iskenderian got a clear look at the face of goal for an on target shot, but the initial attempt was punched away by Smir. The ‘keeper’s deflection would fall inside the box though and an inbounding Iskenderian was able to recover the ball and fire a screamer into the top corner as the Monarch’s took the 2-0 lead. In the 55th minute Minnesota’s Dubar found himself in a dangerous area in the box once again for a shot within the six-yard-box, but a composed Delgado made another great save.
Despite being up by two goals, it was clear that Real Monarchs were adamant about extending their lead. In the 73rd minute Bertin Jacquesson only had the keeper to beat, but was unable to get his shot around Smir who walled up and blocked the shot. Vazquez collected the blocked shot for another potential opportunity but the danger was quickly cleared away by Minnesota United 2’s backline. As time began to expire the Monarchs began to play defensive football holding possession and making tactical clearances, preventing Minnesota from creating any chances in the final third. Upon the final whistle the Real Monarchs were able to claim a 2-0 win on the road due to an excellent performance from the team’s rearguard.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs will return home to Zions Bank Stadium for their next two matches, the first on Friday, July 14 against rivals Colorado Rapids 2. The Monarchs split a pair of games against the Rapids during the inaugural 2022 season of MLS NEXT Pro as the Monarchs claimed victory at home but were unable to capitalize on the road against the lesser side of the Rockies. After Friday’s rivalry game, the Monarchs will face Houston Dynamo 2 on Friday, July 28 to close out the month.
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (4-3-3): Fernando Delgado; Gennaro Nigro, Gabriel Oksanen, Kurowskybob Pierre, Delentz Pierre; Darón Iskenderian (Abokye Bikeyombe 88’), Moses Neyman, Jude Wellings (Griffin Dillon 68’); Bertin Jacquesson, Ilijah Paul, Julian Vazquez (Izahi Amparo 86’)
Subs not used: Blake Kelly, Omar Alba, Dominic Berrios
Minnesota United 2 (4-3-3): Alec Smir; Mikael Marqués (Carlos Leatherman 67’), CC Uche, Geremy Rodas, Juan Mosquera; Rory O’Driscoll (Kage Romanchy Jr. 81’), Cedrik Gbo (Molik Khan 46’), Zaydan Bello; Cameron Dunbar, Kameron Lacey (Cooper Lijewski 81’), Diogo Pacheco (Alisa Randell 81)
Subs not used: Nick Richardson, Carlos Leatherman, Jack Roach, Britton Fischer, Jason Ramos
Stats Summary: SLC / MNUFC2Shots: 13 / 14
Shots on Goal: 5 / 2
Saves: 2 / 4
Corner Kicks: 5 / 4
Fouls: 18 / 16
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
MNUFC2: Diogo Pacheco (caution) 40’
SLC: Kurowskybob Pierre (caution) 43’
SLC: Jude Wellings (caution) 45’
MNUFC2: Cameron Dunbar (caution) 45’+4’
SLC: Bertin jacquesson (caution) 48’
MNUFC2: Juan Mosquera (caution) 48’
SLC: Julian Vazquez (caution) 73’
SLC: Moses Neyman (caution) 79’
SLC: Griffin Dillon (caution 90’+1’
