MANSFIELD, Texas (Fri., September 4, 2026) — Real Monarchs (7-14-4, 29 pts, 11th West) fell 4-1 away at North Texas SC (8-8-9, 38 pts, 7th West) after striking first at newly-minted Mansfield Stadium.
After a grueling summer schedule and roster rotation, Mark Lowry’s only two changes to the starting XI from last week’s 3-0 win over Tacoma defiance saw GK Trace Alphin replace Max Kerkvliet in goal, while tonight’s Captain Izzy Amparo replaced RSL Academy MF Isaac Murphy, after Ampro served his one-match suspension for yellow card accumulation.
Out of the gate, Real Monarchs applied pressure, maintaining possession in the attacking third and firing a warning shot early in the third minute, a shot from distance by Hayden Sargis. Two minutes later, in the midst of a team buildup, RSL Academy man Nico Silva played a throughball up the right channel. Meeting the service in stride was DF Linkon Ream, who displayed his outstanding pace down the flank. Upon reaching the 18, a back-heel flick to cut inside provided Ream enough space to fire a left-footed shot toward the far post for the opening salvo and a 1-0 lead for the visitors.
As the half continued, the home side started to pick up momentum, frequently finding itself in dangerous areas. Monarchs ‘keeper Alphin logged three saves whilst organizing the Monarchs’ defensive unit to weather the storm until the half time whistle sounded.
North Texas continued to build upon its momentum early in the second half, finding the equalizer in the 48th minute, followed by three additional goals in the 57’, 65’ and 83’ on the way to claiming three crucial points in a competitive Western Conference playoff race.
Real Monarchs next travel to San Jose Earthquakes II on Sunday, September 13 for its final road match of the 2026 campaign. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 pm MT,with broadcast available via OneFootball.
NTX 4 : 1 SLC
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
SLC: Linkon Ream (Nico Silva) 5’: Receiving a through ball down the right flank from Silva, Ream dashed down the attacking half of the pitch, cutting inside onto his left foot and firing a left footed shot towards the far post. A strike the North Texas goalkeeper could not deny despite getting a paw on the shot.
NTX: Nick Simmonds (Diego Garcia) 48’: Sending in an inswinging corner Garcia slotted his service to Simmonds who rose above the Monarchs defensive unit heading home the equalizer to the far post.
NTX: Diego Garcia (Ricky Louis) 57’: Dispossessing Real Monarchs in its defensive third, Lewis was left unmarked firing a low powerful strike to the bottom left corner from distance.
NTX: Caleb Swann (Edouard Nys) 65’: Capitalizing on the counter attack Nys froze his mark with a driving scissor dribble before slotting the cross to a cutting Swann who finished first time to the far post.
NTX: Nick Simmonds (Edouard Nys) 83’: Opting to play a short corner Nys cut inside to his right making space for his far post service which was met by a Simmonds who redirected the service back to the near post and past Alphin.
LINEUPS:
Real Monarchs (4-4-2): Trace Alphin; Felix Ewald, Dylan Kropp, Ruben Mesalles (Liam O’Gara, 46), Linkon Ream (Isaac Murphy, 46); Izzy Amparo (C), Hayden Sargis (Gio Villa, 64), Owen Anderson, Nico Silva (Lionel Djiro, 64); Antonio Riquelme, Zach Lifferth
Subs not used: Max Kerkvliet, Luis Rivera, Gio Calderon
North Texas (4-3-3): Nicolas Arango Montoya; Leandro Goncalves (Liam Vejrostek, 69), Alvaro Augusto, Slade Starns (C), Enzo Newman; Edouard Nys, Caleb Swann (Umberto Pela, 85), Lucas Martins Do Espirito Santo (Ian Charles, 69); Nathaniel James (Diego Garcia, 48), Nick Simmonds, Ricky Louis (Marlon Luccin, 80)
Subs not used: Jonah Biggar, Eryk Dymora, Samuel Sededh, Jonah Gibson
Stats Summary: SLC / NTX
Shots: 10 / 21
Shots on Goal: 5 / 11
Saves: 7 / 4
Corner Kicks: 3 / 11
Fouls: 15 / 12
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SLC: Antonio Riquelme (Yellow Card, 17)
SLC: Ruben Mesalles (Yellow Card, 38)
NTX: Leandro Goncalves (Yellow Card, 63)
SLC: Isaac Murphy (Yellow Card, 74)
NTX: Ian Charles (Yellow Card, 87)
