HERRIMAN, Utah (Friday, May 14, 2021) – Real Monarchs (0-1-1, 1 point) fell 2-0 in its 2021 USL Championship home opener against LA Galaxy II at Zions Bank Stadium.
First half goals from LA Galaxy II forwards Kai Koreniuk and Preston Judd were enough to secure the victory for the away side.
The Monarchs had several good chances in the first half, but it was LA Galaxy II who saw the advantage go their way. Los Dos got on the board in the 24th minute when Kai Koreniuk’s shot found the back of the net. The Monarchs best chance of the half came in the 27th minute when Johnson sent a ball over the top and into the box towards forward Max Mata, but his headed shot was pushed out for a corner. Galaxy II doubled the lead just before the half on a right-footed shot from Preston Judd in the 44th minute.
In a chippy second half, the Monarchs defended hard and pushed to get on the board to no avail. In the 47th minute, goalkeeper Jeff Dewsnup made back-to-back saves to keep Los Dos from grabbing a third goal. And despite several more quality chances in the latter half, Real Monarchs finished the night 2-0.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs are back at Zions Bank Stadium to host Austin Bold FC for Military Appreciation Night on Friday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m. MT
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
LA: Kai Koreniuk (Adrian Gonzalez), 24th minute: A low cross into the box from midfielder Adrian Gonzalez found its way across the face of the goal and onto the feet of Kai Koreniuk. The forward’s sliding, left-footed effort found the bottom left corner of the net to open the scoring.
LA: Preston Judd (Jorge Hernandez), 44th minute: Just before the half, midfielder Jorge Hernandez sent a through ball past the backline of the Monarchs’ defense. Forward Preston Judd got onto the end of the ball on the right side of the box and fired a right-footed shot past the outstretched foot of the keeper and into the bottom right corner of the net.
NOTES:
- Midfielder and RSL Academy member Christian Nydegger earned his first Real Monarchs start, taking the place of Chris Garcia who was absent from Friday’s match due to a red card received against San Antonio FC.
- RSL Academy midfielders Griffin Dillon, Abel Mendoza and Pearse O’Brien made their professional debuts as second-half substitutes for Christian Nydegger, James Moberg, Ibrahim Bance, respectively.
Match: Real Monarchs vs. LA Galaxy II
Date: May 14, 2021
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium; Herriman, Utah
Attendance: 1,715
Weather: Partly cloudy and 79 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Monarchs 0 0 0
LA Galaxy II 2 0 2
LA: Kai Koreniuk (Adrian Gonzalez) 24’
LA: Preston Judd (Jorge Hernandez) 44’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (4-4-2): Jeff Dewsnup; Daniel Flores, Kyle Adams, Jaziel Orozco, James Moberg (Abel Mendoza, 80’); Malik Johnson, Sam Brown, Ibrahim Bancé (Pearse O’Brien, 69’), Christian Nydegger (Griffin Dillon, 45’); Max Mata (Aris Briggs, 69’), Bode Davis
Subs not used: Jimmy Slayton, Kevin Saucedo, Frankie Martinez
LA Galaxy II (4-2-3-1): Justin vom Steeg; Josh Drack (Felix Barajas, 88’), Jesus Vazqeuz, Marcus Ferkranus, Owen Lambe; Daniel Aguirre, Adrian Gonzalez (Taylor Davila, 45’); Kai Koreniuk (Isaac Bawa, 81’), Jorge Hernandez, Axel Picazo (Victor Valdez, 81’); Preston Judd
Subs not used: Alan Solorio, Sebastian Hernandez, Adrian Aguilar
STATS SUMMARY: SLC / LA
Shots: 10 / 10
Shots on Goal: 4 / 5
Saves: 3 / 4
Corner Kicks: 3 / 3
Fouls: 26 / 12
Offside: 3 / 1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SLC – Jaziel Orozco (caution) 12’
LA – Adrian Gonzalez (caution) 19’
SLC – Ibrahim Bancé (caution) 54’
SLC – Sam Brown (caution) 56’
LA – Marcus Ferkranus (caution) 90’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Elijio Arreguin
Assistant Referees: Bennett Savage, Kali Smith
4th Official: Jordan Downs
