SANDY, Utah (Monday, April 9, 2018) – Real Salt Lake travels east to Yankee Stadium to face New York City FC while Real Monarchs SLC head to Washington to face Seattle Sounders FC 2. Utah Royals FC prepare for its historic inaugural home opener against Chicago Red Stars this Saturday as the Real Salt Lake Academy readies itself for a visit from Seattle Sounders FC. Here is what you need to know from the club this week:
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake (2-2-1, 7 points) got back in the win column on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Rio Tinto Stadium. FW Luis Silva and FW Jefferson Savarino each scored as GK Nick Rimando made three saves to secure the victory
In a physical first half that saw Mike Petke make two defensive substitutions because of injury, RSL took the lead just before the halftime whistle. After a scramble in the box and a penalty appeal, Salt Lake persisted and Brooks Lennon got the ball to Silva for a left-footed shot that caromed off his defender’s heel and into the net for his first goal of the season, staking RSL to a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Both teams had their chances in the second half and RSL doubled the lead in the 88th minute when Savarino scored his first goal of the season, hitting a first-time shot after a stellar build-up from MF Damir Kreilach and FW Corey Baird, who was making his first MLS start. Vancouver would pull one back in stoppage time on a goal by Brek Shea, but RSL held strong to end the night with a 2-1 victory.
It’s a short turnaround for Real Salt Lake, who will go on the road to face New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday (5 p.m. MT).
Utah Royals FC
In just five short days, fans will be able to watch Utah Royals FC play on Utah soil for the very first time when it hosts Chicago Red Stars on Sat., April 14th at Rio Tinto Stadium. Head Coach Laura Harvey’s team joined the rest of the NWSL in observing the FIFA international break last weekend.
With kickoff for the historic event set for 1:30p MT, the nationally-televised NWSL Game of the Week on Lifetime against Chicago will also feature triple-platinum recording artist Rachel Platten singing the anthem pregame and celebrating a new era for sports in Utah with a post-game concert featuring “Fight Song” among other hits. Tickets are available at www.UtahRoyalsFC.com or by calling 844.Real.Tix.
Utah Royals FC training schedule for the week is as follows:
Tues., April 10 – 11:00 a.m. MT – Training at America First Field
Wed., April 11 – OFF
Thurs., April 12 – 11:00 a.m. MT – Training at America First Field
Fri., April 13 – 11:00 a.m. MT – Training at America First Field
Sat., April 14 – 1:30 p.m. MT – Kickoff vs. Chicago Red Stars at Rio Tinto Stadium
If you plan on attending a training session / game and are requesting access, please contact Utah Royals FC Director of PR Carla Haslam at (801) 435-6646 / chaslam@rsl.com a day in advance for arrangements.
Real Monarchs SLC
Real Monarchs SLC (3-0-0, 9 points, West 4) blanked hosts Phoenix Rising FC 1-0 on Saturday courtesy of a MF Sebastian Velasquez strike in the 57th minute in front of 6,531 at Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex. The win sees the Monarchs remain undefeated to open 2018 as well as earn its first shutout of the year.
The first half of the match opened physically with both sides immediately applying pressure to one another in an attempt to put a stamp on the game. The half’s best opportunity fell to Rising FC midfielder Gladson Awako who’s effort from just outside the penalty area in the 33rd minute rattled off the bar. GK Connor Sparrow made three big saves in the first half to bring the teams level into the halftime break.
The Monarchs found the breakthrough in the 57th minute when MF Maikel Chang’s cross found Velasquez who beat his man at the top of six-yard box to take a touch then slam home the opening goal of the match.
The remainder of the match remained physical, with eight total yellow cards were handed out by the referee in the match. The Monarchs were able to fend off Rising FC’s late-match push for an equalizer to secure the shutout and the full three points.
The Monarchs will remain on the road for the second match of its three-game road trip as it visits Seattle Sounders 2 on Wednesday April 11. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. MT from Cheney Field in Tacoma, Washington.
The Monarchs training schedule for the week is as follows:
Tues., April 10 – 10:00 a.m. MT – Training at Zions Bank Training Center
Wed., April 11 – 8:00 p.m. MT – Kickoff vs Seattle Sounders FC2 at Cheney Stadium
Information regarding Real Monarchs SLC or the Zions Bank Real Academy in Herriman can be found at RSL.com/Monarchs or RSL.com/Academy.If you plan on attending a training session / game and requesting access, please contact RSL Media Services personnel Taran Meyer at (801) 657-2161 / tmeyer@rsl.com a day in advance for arrangements.
Real Salt Lake Academy
The Real Salt Lake Academy spent the weekend in Southern California where it faced San Diego Surf on April 7 before facing Nomads SC on April 8. Against Surf the U-17 group fell 1-0 while the U-19s drew 1-1 in the second match of the day on Saturday. The following day the U-17s made amends for the loss from a day prior, topping Nomads 3-0 as a brace from FW Julian Vasquez and a goal from FW Ben Ortiz capped the score line. The U-19s ultimately fell 3-2 to Nomads on Sunday as goals from FWSebastian Soto and MF Erik Virgen weren’t enough to earn three points in California.
RSL will now welcome Seattle Sounders FC to the Zions Bank Training Center on Saturday April 14th. The U-17s will play first at 11:00 a.m. MT followed by the U-19s at 1:30 p.m. MT.
The Zions Bank Real Academy Campus in Herriman - located at 14788 South Academy Parkway (3718 West) - MUST be entered off of Mountain View Corridor, just West of the Facility