HERRIMAN, Utah (Tuesday, June 13, 2023) - Real Monarchs (4-7-1, 14 pts., 12th West) begin a two-game week Thursday away against Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (13-6-4, 23 pts., 3rd West) with Head Coach Jámison Olave's side having only claimed one win out of their last six matches. Thursday marks the first Real Monarchs visit to British Columbia where they have been unable to find victory against Vancouver in MLS NEXT Pro Competition. The Monarchs won 3-1 against Whitecaps 2 in the clubs' last meeting on Friday, August 5 2022.
Real Monarchs drew with LA Galaxy II 3-3 last Friday and picked up an additional point after winning the shootout to conclude the match. The Monarchs scored first after Gilberto Garcia drew a penalty and **Ilijah Paul** buried the shot. Amferny Sinclair would net an additional goal for the Monarchs in the first half, yet the Galaxy would claim the lead late in the second half going up 3-2. Paul scored in stoppage time for a brace and netted the late equalizer to force the shootout. In a tense shootout the Monarchs would win 5-4 on kicks from the penalty spot to pick up two points.
Following Thursday's match against Vancouver, Real Monarchs will return home the coming Sunday to face St. Louis CITY 2 (June 18). After their Sunday match the Monarchs will prepare for a trip to the City of Roses the following week where they will face Timbers 2 (June 25) who they previously thrashed 5-1 at home on April 30. Tickets for all Real Monarchs home games, including Sunday’s vs. St. Louis CITY 2, can be found at https://www.rsl.com/monarchs/tickets/. If viewing matches remotely, Real Monarchs games can be streamed either via Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass or through https://www.mlsnextpro.com/.
Real Monarchs @ Vancouver Whitecaps 2 Preview:
Real Monarchs have yet to claim a win at Swangaurd Stadium against Whitecaps 2 and have struggled against the British Columbia side in MLS NEXT Pro competition, notching a 1W-1L-1D all-time record. On the road this year the Monarchs have claimed an even .500 winning percentage. Meanwhile Vancouver Whitecaps 2 in 2023 have claimed a 4W-1L-1D record when playing on home turf.
Since April, Real Monarchs have recorded four wins, while adding six losses and one draw in its last 11 games within MLS NEXT Pro competition. Thursday's match will test the Monarchs attack as the team is last in total scoring attempts and has created 12 goals this season, the second worst mark in the league only ahead of LAFC 2. The Monarchs despite allowing the 8th most goals in the league are second in winning back possession posting a 53.4% duel win rate, which may hinder the Whitecaps 2 attack.
