COMMERCE CITY, Colorado (Sat., August 23, 2026) — Real Monarchs (6-13-4, 26 pts, 11th West) extended its losing streak to five games on Sunday, falling 4-1 on the road at Colorado Rapids 2 (3-14-7, 18 pts, 14th West) at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park.
Sunday’s match was highlighted by several Monarchs who made their debuts with the team. Recent signing and Utah native Zach Liffert subbed on at halftime, earning 45 minutes in his first appearance with the squad. RSL Academy star Kellen Poll subbed on in the 84th minute to make his professional debut in Colorado, and recent signing Hayden Sargis —on loan from Athletic Club Boise of USL One— also got his first Monarchs nod, subbing on in the 60th minute.
Despite firing several shots from distance that tested Colorado ‘keeper Bryan Dowd, the Monarchs were unable to generate quality chances in the first half. Just before the break in the 44th minute, Chris Aquino gave the home side its breakthrough goal with a left-footed strike. The goal came on a counter attack, and while defender Felix Ewald was able to clear the first effort off the line, the Monarchs were unable to stop the rebound and entered the break with a 1-0 deficit.
Colorado quickly doubled its lead in the second half, scoring in the 52nd minute after a solo effort from Josh Copeland. The home side got its third soon after, capitalizing on an impressive team move in the 67th minute. After a string of passes, Hamdoin Altayeb received a ball on the right side of the box, crossing the ball into Jonathan De La Fuente who finished with a curling shot into the bottom left corner for a 3-0 lead.
While the Monarchs were unable to find a way back into the match, the Utah side got a consolation goal in the 90+2nd minute off a strike from Linkon Ream. Holding off a defender, Ewald crossed a ball from the right touchline that Ream redirected towards goal to cut the lead to 3-1 — the first goal the Monarchs had scored in 391 minutes of game time. The celebration was short lived, however, as Colorado got its fourth two minutes later with a goal from Sydney Wathuta. The referee blew the final whistle seconds later, the match ending in a dominant 4-1 win for the home side.
After four games on the road, Real Monarchs return home this Saturday, August 30, to face Tacoma Defiance at Zions Bank Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. MT.
COL 4 : 1 SLC
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
COL: Chris Aquino (Unassisted) 44’: On a breakaway, Wathuta chipped Kerkvliet but Ewald cleared the ball off the line. The ball fell to Aquino, who finished with a left-footed strike to the right side netting.
COL: Josh Copeland (Unassisted) 52’: The ball fell to an open Copeland who had a clear path towards goal. Copeland took his space and dribbled around Kerkvliet before finishing on an empty net with his right foot.
COL: Jonathan De La Fuente (Hamdoin Altayeb, Sebastian Siegler) 67’: After an impressive team move, Siegler played a through ball into Altayeb who made a run into the right side of the box. Altayeb crossed the ball into De La Fuente, who took a touch before curling a shot into the bottom left corner.
SLC: Linkon Ream (Felix Ewald, Hayden Sargis) 90+2’: Sargis played the ball wide to Ewald who was waiting on the right touchline. Holding off a defender, Ewald played a cross into the backpost to Ream who finished with a left-footed touch.
COL: Sydney Wathuta (Jonathan De La Fuente) 90+4’: De La Fuente played a through ball that cut through the Monarchs defense into an open Wathuta. After taking a touch around Kerkvliet, Wathuta finished with a left-footed shot.
LINEUPS:
Real Monarchs (4-4-2): Max Kerkvliet ©; Cris Rios (Linkon Ream, 46’), Felix Ewald, Ruben Mesalles, Luis Rivera (Hayden Sargis, 60’); Lionel Djiro (Kellen Poll, 83’), Izzy Amparo (Isaac Murphy, 81’), Omar Marquez, Owen Anderson; Antonio Riquelme, Chance Cowell (Zach Lifferth, 46’)
Subs not used: Diego Rocio, Trace Alphin
Colorado Rapids 2 (3-4-3): Bryan Dowd; Grant Gilmore, Charlie Harper, Vincent Rinaldi (Kamal Sawadogo, 85’); Jonny De La Fuente ©, Sebastian Siegler (Carmen Gilmer, 85’), Luis Garcia, Josh Copeland (Jackson Pomeroy, 80’); Sydney Wathuta, Nathan Tchoumba (Hamdoin Altayeb, 66’), Chris Aquino (Edgar Heredia, 66’)
Subs not used: Kai Thomas, Zack Campagnolo, Jordan Camacho, Kellen Lowery, Niccolo Del
Stats Summary: COL / SLC
Shots: 18 / 17
Shots on Goal: 8 / 4
Saves: 3 / 3
Corner Kicks: 4 / 7
Fouls: 16 / 11
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
COL: Sebastian Siegler (Yellow Card - 18’)
SLC: Felix Ewald (Yellow Card - 26’)
COL: Vincent Rinaldi (Yellow Card - 63’)
SLC: Izzy Amparo (Yellow Card - 69’)
