Real Monarchs SLC at Seattle Sounders 2
April 11, 2018; Cheney Stadium
8:00 p.m. MT; RealMonarchs.com
Real Monarchs SLC (3-0-0, 9 points); Sounders 2 FC (1-3-0, 3 points)
Player to Watch –
Francisco Narbón has seemed to shake things up effectively with his unorthodox style of running of the midfield for Sounders 2. Narbón is known as a defender but has made appearances as both a center back and holding midfielder for S2 this season. After a rocky defensive start to the season where it allowed five goals in its first two games, Narbón was inserted into a defensive role and since then, the club has only conceded two goals in its last two outings. Narbón also adds a veteran presence into the lineup and carries an eye for the counter attack, something the Monarchs will be queued in on come Wednesday’s match.
All-Time History – The all-time record between the sides sits in favor of the Monarchs as it holds a 3-2-1 record since 2015. Last season the Monarchs and S2 battled twice, with the Monarchs outlasting Seattle on both occasions by a combined 7-2 score line. In the first meeting between the sides last season, the Monarchs topped S2 3-1 at Starfire Sports Complex. In the return-leg held at Rio Tinto Stadium in early-July, the Monarchs again put forth a dominant display, where it beat S2 4-1.
Last Five – Sounders 2 have had a rough start to 2018 thus far, only winning one of their first four games of the 2018 season. Between having a defensive meltdown in their second match against Swope Park Rangers and a lack of consistent production up top, its lineups have been ever changing. Its lone win this season came in their home opener against Portland Timbers 2, by a 2-1 score line. Since the match against T2, S2 has lost three straight. With two players from last week’s starting 11 against Sacramento Republic picking up red cards, S2 will have to again field a different lineup while being shorthanded in its match against the Monarchs on Wednesday.
