Real Monarchs Fall 1-0 to Tacoma Defiance in Sunday Evening Matchup
TUKWILA, Washington (Sunday, June 21, 2026) — Real Monarchs (5-7-3, 21 pts, 8th West) fall 1-0 to Tacoma Defiance (5-7-3, 20 pts, 10th West) unable to find the back of the net at Starfire Sports Stadium.
Real Monarchs hit the road for its first of three consecutive away matches, looking to continue the strong form showcased in the dominant 4-1 victory over Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday, June 13.
As the Sunday evening match began, the visitors found rhythm early, keeping consistent possession and moving the ball up the pitch in hopes of striking first. After a disallowed goal for the Monarchs in the 29th minute, the squad continued to push the ball forward in search of the lead.
In the 40th minute, GK Trace Alphin showcased his presence between the posts, making a save directly in front of the goal. With the late first-half save, Alphin helped to keep the score deadlocked heading into the locker room.
After a first half with both sides earning only one shot on target, it was the home side that struck first, finding the back of the net in the 56th minute. Just two minutes later MF Antonio Riquelme took a free kick, forcing Tacoma’s goalkeeper to make the save. While the goal didn’t fall, the visitors continued to apply pressure in the attacking third.
Real Salt Lake contracted FW Van Parker entered the match as a substitute in the 64th minute and immediately made an impact in the attack, helping to make offensive opportunities and earning one of the visiting sides strongest shots on goal in the 72nd minute. Although continuing to find scoring opportunities, the back of the net remained illusive for the visitors.
A shot fired by FW Lineker Rodrigues in the waning moments of the match was narrowly saved by the Tacoma ‘keeper, sending the visitors onto its next stop empty handed, as the Monarchs were unable to find the equalizer, ultimately falling 1-0 to start out its three match road stint.
Real Monarchs remain on the road next Saturday, June 27 to take on Ventura County FC at William Rolland Stadium in Thousand Oaks, California. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. MT and will be streaming on OneFootball.
TAC 1 : 0 SLC
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
TAC: Mark Bronnik (Mark O’Niell, Gallatin Sandnes) 56’: Sandnes received the ball and passed it up the pitch to O’Niell who sent a perfectly placed through ball to Bronnik. Taking a touch past a defender and sending the ball into the back of the net with his right foot.
LINEUPS:
Real Monarchs (5-4-1): Trace Alphin; Felix Ewald, Kobi Henry (Van Parker, 64’), Ruben Mesalles ©, Michael Wentzel (Gio Calderon, 57’), Linkon Ream (Gio Villa, 64’); Antonio Riquelme, Omar Marquez ( Izzy Amparo, 46’), Liam O’Gara, Owen Anderson (Jack Ottley 80’); Lineker Rodrigues
Subs not used: Konstantinos Kyriazis, Luca Moisa
Tacoma Defiance (5-2-3): Mohammed Shour; Charlie Gaffney, Demian Alvarez, Gallatin Sandnes, Jasper Winslow, Codey Phoenix (Mitchell Emert, 62’); Xavi Milad Gnaulati (Landon Lucero, 71’), Mark Clan O’Neill ©; Edson Carli (Daniel Robles, 87’), Mark Bronnik (Leonardo Flores Gonzalez, 86’), Rafael Angel Jauregui (Brayden Smith, 62’)
Subs not used: Jackson Dale, Omar Hassan, Kelvin-Luis Brito, Andrew Brown
Stats Summary: TAC / SLC
Shots: 14 / 14
Shots on Goal: 4 / 5
Saves: 4 / 3
Corner Kicks: 4 / 2
Fouls: 24 / 19
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SLC: Kobi Henry (Yellow Card - 26’)
SLC: Omar Marquez (Yellow Card - 39’)
TAC: Codey Phoenix (Yellow Card - 47’)
TAC: Brayden Smith (Yellow Card - 82’)
TAC: Leonardo Flores Gonzalez (Yellow Card - 90+2’)
