Real Monarchs 1 vs. Tacoma Defiance 1
June 23, 2021; Cheney Stadium
Real Monarchs (1-5-3, 6 points); Tacoma Defiance (2-3-2, 8 points)
Man of the Match: Despite the late equalizer from the home side, goalkeeper Andrew Putna put on a stellar performance throughout the match with five saves, including an out-stretched punch in the 85th minute to keep the Monarchs in the lead late in the match.
Telling Stat: With an average age of just 18.5 years old, the Real Monarchs started its youngest backline of defense in club history. 22-year-old Noah Powder and 19-year-old Timi Sobowale took up the outside, while 17-year-old Jaziel Orozco and 16-year-old Haroun Conteh made up the centerback pairing. In addition, Orozco wore the captain’s armband in the match.
What You Missed: Real Monarchs defender Haroun Conteh and midfielder Julio Benitez both made their professional debuts amongst Head Coach Jamison Olave’s starting lineup in tonight’s match. The appearance makes 15-year-old Benitez the youngest debutant in club history and the fifth-youngest in the history of the USL Championship. Before the match, Major League Soccer named Benitez as one of nine Players to Watch in the inaugural MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs.
So What: Tonight’s result gives the Monarchs its second road point of the season as the club now turns its attention toward its third match in eight days. Back home, the Monarchs will host San Antonio FC at Zions Bank Stadium on Saturday, June 26 at 8:00 p.m. MT for the second of four meetings between the sides this season.
