HERRIMAN, UT (Sat., August 16, 2025) - With nine matches remaining in its 2025 MLS NEXT Pro campaign, Real Monarchs eye its first postseason berth in the MLS NEXT Pro Era. The Monarchs return home to the Wasatch Front Sunday night at America First Field after a successful three-game road trip, where Mark Lowry’s group secured five points away from home. Sunday’s match against LAFC 2 also marks the continuation of the back half of the Monarchs’ grueling 17 consecutive matches without a bye to close out the 2025 season.
Remaining 2025 Schedule
Sunday, August 17th: vs LAFC 2 (6-11-3, 23pts, 13th West)
Sunday, August 24th: vs Minnesota United FC 2 (8-8-4, 29pts, 8th West)
Wednesday, August 27th: @ The Town FC (10-4-4, 36pts, 3rd West)
Sunday, August 31st: vs Tacoma Defiance (7-9-3, 26pts, 10th West)
Saturday, September 6th: @ Sporting Kansas City II (2-14-4, 11pts, 14th West)
Sunday, September 14th: vs Ventura County FC (10-5-5, 27pts, 2nd West)
Friday, September 19th: @ LAFC2 (6-11-3, 23pts, 13th West)
Saturday, September 27th: @ North Texas SC (8-8-4, 21pts, 7th West)
Sunday, October 5th: vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 (7-10-4, 28th, 9th West)
Four of the remaining nine squads on Real Monarchs’ schedule currently sit above the MLS NEXT Pro playoff line, with an additional two teams fewer than three points outside the line. Real Monarchs hold two games in hand over all but one team ahead of them on the table (The Town FC), and three over Western Conference leaders St. Louis CITY 2 as well as the Club’s Rocky Mountain Cup rival, Colorado Rapids 2.
Real Monarchs have found success in the attack by committee thus far, featuring 15 different scorers and 12 players logging at least one assist. Teenage sophomore Aiden Hezarkhani and rookie Jesus Barea lead the way with five goals each, while Academy product Hezarkhani leads the team in total goal contributions with eight, as he also ranks second in assists.
Recent Real Salt Lake newcomer and USA U-20 star Marcos Zambrano has found his early form with the Club, fresh off a brace in his second match last week as Real Monarchs claimed all three points in its dominant 4-0 win over Houston Dynamo 2, also the side’s first clean sheet of 2025. RSL’s Tyler Wolff leads the squad in goal contributions per game, averaging two per game after his three Monarchs appearances, logging three goals and three assists.
Individual Leaders
Goals: Hezarkhani: 5 / Barea: 5 / Wolff: 3 / Dillon: 3 / Mesalles: 3
Assists: Mesalles: 4 / Hezarkhani: 3 / Wolff: 3 / Touray: 3 / Four Tied: 2
Clean Sheets: Mackay: 1
Saves: Kerkvliet: 17 / Mackay: 10 / Alphin: 5 / Stajduhar: 2
Real Monarchs host LAFC 2 this Sunday, August 17 at America First Field in Sandy. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. MT with broadcast available via MLSNEXTPro.com. Tickets will be available at the door.
