Real Monarchs 0 vs. 3 Houston Dynamo 2
May 14, 2023; SaberCats Stadium; Houston, Texas
Real Monarchs (3-5-0, 9 points); Houston Dynamo 2 (3-4-1, 11 points)
Telling Stats: Houston’s 3-0 win marks their first win at home of the season, and their first win when scoring first (the Dynamo were 0-3 coming into tonight). Real Monarchs have yet to win a game in MLS NEXT Pro against the team from H-town. The Monarchs were held to under 35% possession for the third time this season and the fourth time in team history.
What You Missed: Monarchs goalkeeper **Fernando Delgado** started the game strongly denying two shots on goal. However, in the 31st minute he took a heavy touch on a pass back to him and Houston Dynamo 2 pounced on the error, scoring the first goal of the match. Delgado proceeded to make more impressive saves, however he was beaten once again after a poor defensive clearance in the 45th minute, and the Monarchs went into the half down 2-0. Jamison Olave’s squad started the second half with a more offensive mindset, creating multiple chances in the area, but were unable to get a shot off on goal. Defender Omar Alba received his second yellow card of the game and was sent off in the 54th minute. Weather delay sent both teams to the locker rooms in the 58th minute. When both teams returned to play, the Monarchs remained on their heels defensively and conceded from a well placed strike by Houston in the 73rd minute. The Monarchs showed sporadic signs of life offensively but could not capitalize, ending the match 3-0. Jenthe Mertens and **Julian Vazquez** each made their Monarchs debuts as starters, playing the full 90.
What’s Next?: Real Monarchs return home to Zions Bank Stadium to face off against LAFC 2 on Sunday, May 21 at 4 p.m. MT.
