Real Monarchs SLC fell in the opening round of the 2018 USL Cup Playoffs in heartbreak fashion, dropping a 1-0 result to Reno 1868 FC at Zions Bank Stadium on Saturday evening. The loss sees the Monarchs bow out of the playoffs in the opening round for the second consecutive season.
After being forced into an early substitution after DF Stanley Okumu appeared to pick up a knock, the Monarchs continued to play staunch defense to keep the visitors at bay. Making two massive saves to keep the Monarchs off the board in the first half was Reno goalkeeper Matt Bersano. Ahead of the second half, the Monarchs were forced into another substitution on its backline after DF James Moberg departed the match.
In the second half, the Monarchs controlled the first 15 minutes of the half, maintaining possession and testing Bersano on two occasions. Later in the half, the match evened out as both teams attempted to keep possession to wear down one another. The match slowed down, almost to a crawl, as the Monarchs pinned Reno into the defensive half. The Monarchs nearly found the game’s first goal on multiple occasions late in the second half, but it was Reno’s Brian Brown who headed home the winner four minutes into stoppage time to silence Zions Bank Stadium and end the Monarchs fourth season in the USL.
UP NEXT: The Monarchs season ends with a 1-0 loss to Reno 1868 FC.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
RNO: Brian Brown (Duke LaCroix), 92nd minute: Finding space on the wing was Reno defender Duke LaCroix who crossed the ball into the penalty area. Brown held off his defender to create space to head home the match-winner into the far-side netting.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS
RNO: Matt Bersano, 25th minute: What looked to be a sure goal off the head of Chandler Hoffman was cut out athletically by Bersano you came across his goal line to punch Hoffman’s header clear.
NOTES:
- The match was the first ever playoff match at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman. The venue opened in late-April to become the Monarchs new home.
- The second-largest crowd in Zions Bank Stadium history attended the playoff match against Reno.
- The Monarchs bow out of the USL Cup Playoffs in the opening round for the second consecutive season.
Match: Real Monarchs SLC vs Reno 1868 FC
Date: October 20, 2018
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium; Herriman, Utah
Attendance: 3,000
Weather: 60 degrees and clear skies
Scoring Summary 1 2 F
Real Monarchs SLC 0 0 0
Reno 1868 FC 0 1 1
RNO: Brian Brown (Duke LaCroix) 90’+2
Lineups:
Real Monarchs SLC (4-2-3-1): Connor Sparrow; James Moberg (Konrad Plewa, HT), Stanley Okumu (Taylor Peay, 7’), Kalen Ryden, Andrew Brody; Justin Portillo, Charlie Adams (Juan Ignacio Mare, 90’+4), Sebastian Velasquez; Maikel Chang, Chandler Hoffman, Masta Kacher
Subs not used: Jake Leeker, Jose Hernandez, Jack Blake, Josh Heard
Reno 1868 FC (4-4-2): Matt Bersano; Brent Richards, Zach Carroll, Brenton Griffiths, Duke LaCroix; Seth Casiple. Guy Abend, Chris Wehan (Mark Gonzalez, 64’), Jerry van Ewijk (Jordan Murrell, 90’+4); Antoine Hoppenot, Brian Brown
Subs not used: Kyle Ihn, Thomas Janigian, Sam Gleadle, Mohamed Thiaw
Stats Summary: SLC/RNO
Shots: 17 / 11
Shots on Goal: 6 / 3
Saves: 2 / 6
Corner Kicks: 8 / 10
Fouls: 7 / 12
Offside: 0 / 1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SLC – Velasquez (caution) 45’+4
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
Assistant Referees: John Krill, Shane Kennard
4th Official: Chris Greer
