Real Monarchs SLC kicked off the 2020 Wasatch Winter Cup against Union Omaha, playing to a scoreless draw with the USL League One expansion side.
In a balanced contest, each side found opportunities towards goal that ultimately would fly off the mark or into the goalkeeper’s hands. The Monarchs kicked off the match with a defensive mindset, absorbing pressure from Omaha, staving off heavy pressure. Early on, Omaha found a chance after what looked to be a sure goal but goalkeeper Jimmy Slayton was up to the task and produced a miraculous diving save to keep the match level.
The second half saw many changes for both sides, as new faces entered the fray, such as USL League One MVP and offseason additions Arturo Rodriguez, Christopher Bermudez and Devin Vega. With fresh legs, the Monarchs began to build steam, putting pressure around the Omaha goal, but Union goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu kept the net safe. In the dying moments, former Monarchs forward Juan Ignacio Mare took a shot towards goal that Slayton saved with ease to close the scoreless draw to split the points.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs continue its Wasatch Winter Cup journey when it hosts Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Zions Bank Training Center at 10:00 a.m. MT on Wednesday. The contest will be streamed on the RSL YouTube channel.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
None.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS
OMA: Rashid Nuhu, 72nd minute: Monarchs nearly found a go ahead through Dayonn Harris who at a tight angle from the right side took a quick shot towards the far post of goal that Nuhu was able to drop to protect the scoring.
SLC: Jimmy Slayton, 89th minute: For Monarchs man, Juan Ignacio Mare took a shot from the top of the penalty area into goal that Slayton dropped down on to stop, keeping the game level late.
NOTES:
- Real Monarchs kicked off second annual Wasatch Winter Cup with a scoreless draw.
- Monarchs saw many of its new players in action as new signings Arturo Rodriguez, Christopher Bermudez, Nicolas Gimenez and Michael Wetungu made appearances throughout the 90 minutes.
Match: Real Monarchs SLC vs Union Omaha
Date: February 16, 2020
Venue: Zions Bank Training Center
Scoring Summary 1 2 F
Real Monarchs SLC 0 0 0
Union Omaha 0 0 0
Lineups:
Real Monarchs SLC: Jimmy Slayton, Steve Jasso (Tommy Silva, 46’), James Moberg, Nicolas Gimenez (Michael Wetungu, 62’), Zach Farnsworth (Bobby Pierre, 62’), Jordan Pena (Richard Ruiz, 77’), Alejandro Silva, Sam Brown (Arturo Rodriguez, 80’), Devin Vega (Keaton Woods, 77’), Dayonn Harris (Christopher Bermudez, 80’), Kyle Coffee(Damian German, 80’)
*RSL Academy
Union Omaha: Rashid Nuhu, Luke Hauswirth (Jake Crull, 46’), Nathan Aune (JP Scearce, 46’), Trialist, Damia Viader, Tyler David, Kobe Perez, Xavier Gomez (Trialist,46’) (Kobe Perez, 74’), Austin Panchot (Trialist, 32’), Elver Ibisevic (Elma Nfor, 25’) (Academy Player, 76’), Ethan Vanacore (Juan Ignacio Mare, 46’)
Discipline:
OMA – Trialist, Caution
