Sandy, UT (Wednesday, July 5, 2017) – Substitute FW Chandler Hoffman bagged two goals off the bench in a six-minute span midway through the second half as Real Monarchs (13-2-1, 40 pts, 1st overall USL / Western Conference) extended the club’s active home win streak to nine with a 3-1 win Wednesday against OKC Energy FC.
Monarchs HC Mark Briggs’ side extended their home mark to a perfect 8-0-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium this year.
With the double, Hoffman broke the single-season scoring mark previously held by former Monarch Max Rauhofer, who tallied 9 goals in 2015. With 16 matches remaining, the forward’s 10 goals currently rank third-highest in the USL. Overall, Hoffman now has 41 goals in his USL career.
After entering at halftime and the game deadlocked at 1-1, Hoffman scored his first in the 70th minute during the run of play. The Monarchs cashed in on a long spell of possession with a one-timer from Hoffman near the penalty spot, DF Kyle Curinga providing the service.
Just six minutes later, Hoffman doubled the lead in the 76th minute. The UCLA product earned the penalty kick when he was dragged down by OKC defender Coady Andrews in the box following a give-and-go with MF Chase Minter. Following the Andrews ejection, Hoffman converted his second of three penalty kicks on the year by sending OKC goalkeeper Cody Laurendi the wrong way.
The Claret-and-Cobalt USL side bossed the game from the outset. MF Karsten Hanlin opened the scoring in the 8th minute from a MF Chase Minter pull-back to the top of the box. The right-footed strike from distance was Hanlin’s second of the campaign.
Although OKC equalized through Alex Dixon in the 26th minute, GK Connor Sparrow had a clean game in net. The goalkeeper made two saves, including a stop that propelled Real to score on the other end.
Monarchs boss Mark Briggs used all three substitutions. Hoffman replaced RSL man-on-loan MF José Hernández after halftime. DF Max Lachowecki relieved MF Daniel Haber in the 79th minute. DF Michael Gallagher came on for MF Andrew Brody in the 90th minute.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs stay at the friendly confines of the RioT for a match against Seattle Sounders FC 2 (7:00 p.m. MT, Saturday). The Claret-and-Cobalt USL side beat S2 3-1 on April 22 behind goals from Chandler Hoffman, Nick Besler, and José Herndández. Briggs and Company are 3-0-0 against Pacific Northwest foes this year, sweeping each of Seattle, Portland and Vancouver on the road.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
RM -- Karsten Hanlin (Chase Minter), 8th minute: Nick Besler picked a perfect pass over the top to Chase Minter in behind on the left side of the penalty area. Karsten Hanlin finished Minter’s cross with his clinical right foot.
OKC -- Alex Dixon (Andy Craven), 26th minute: After a turnover at midfield, Andy Craven got the ball in transition down the right side. Connor Sparrow got a hand to the first effort and sent it off the crossbar, but Alex Dixon nodded home the rebound.
RM -- Chandler Hoffman (Kyle Curinga), 70th minute: Kyle Curinga provided the cross for Chandler Hoffman at the penalty spot to cash in on a long spell of possession.
RM -- Chandler Hoffman (Penalty), 76th minute: OKC’s Coady Andrews dragged Chandler Hoffman down inside the box. Hoffman sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to convert the penalty.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
RM -- Connor Sparrow, 69th minute: Anthony Wallace found a pocket of space centrally 30 yards out from goal, but Connor Sparrow was quick to parry his left footed shot out for a corner.
OKC -- Cody Laurendi, 90+ minute: Cody Laurendi wasn’t fooled as Chandler Hoffman attempted to chip the keeper.
NOTES:
- The Claret-and-Cobalt USL side is now 2-2-0 all-time against Energy FC.
- The Monarchs are now on a nine-game home win streak at Rio Tinto Stadium, dating back to last season, an active run which currently ranks third-best in the USL’s all-time record book. Real is a perfect 8-0-0 at home this season.
- Chandler Hoffman passed Max Rauhofer, who tallied 9 goals in 2015, for the most goals in a single season for RM. With 15 matches remaining, the forward’s 10 goals rank third most in the league. Overall, Hoffman has 41 goals in his USL career.
Match: OKC Energy FC at Real Monarchs
Date: July 5, 2017
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
Attendance:2,065
Weather: 95 degrees and sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Monarchs 1 2 3
OKC Energy FC 1 0 1
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (4-2-3-1): Connor Sparrow; Justin Schmidt, Taylor Peay, James Moberg, Kyle Curinga; Nick Besler, Karsten Hanlin; Chase Minter, José Hernández (Chandler Hoffman 46’), Andrew Brody (Michael Gallagher 90’); Daniel Haber (Max Lachowecki 79’)
Subs not used: Andrew Putna, Jonel Desire, Reagan Dunk, Skyler Milne
OKC Energy FC (4-2-3-1): Cody Laurendi; Michael Harris (Richard Dixon 46’), Coady Andrews, Anthony Wallace, Kyle Hyland; Juan Pablo Guzmán, José Barril; Chad Bond, Daniel González (Michael Daly 77’), Hugh Alexander Dixon (Daniel Jackson); Andy Craven
Subs not used: Luis Martínez, CJ Cochran, Sam Fink
Stats Summary: RM / OKC
Shots: 8 / 8
Shots on Goal: 4 / 3
Saves: 2 / 1
Corner Kicks: 1 / 4
Fouls: 15 / 11
Offside: 6 / 2
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
OKC -- Chad Bond (Caution) - 56’
RM -- Daniel Haber (Caution) - 57’
OKC -- Coady Andrews (Red Card) - 74’
RM -- Karsten Hanlin (Caution) - 82’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Michael Radchuk
Assistant Referees: Allen Pickett, Daniel Spicer-Escalante
4th Official: Hamed Sadeghi
