HERRIMAN, Utah (Thursday, June 8, 2023) - Real Monarchs (4-7-0, 12 pts., 12th in West) return home to Utah after a 3-0 loss against Austin FC II to face LA Galaxy II (2-7-2, 10 pts., 13th in West) on Friday, June 9 at 8:00pm MT. The Monarchs are winless in their two previous matches at Zions Bank Stadium, dropping a 1-2 result to Tacoma Defiance on May 5 and on May 21 losing 1-0 against LAFC 2. This season Real Monarchs have been unable to string consistent performances together posting a 1W-4L-0D record while competing at home.
In their last four road matches Galaxy II have been unable to secure any points, including a 2-0 loss on matchday 11 to North Texas SC where the City of Angels side failed to get a shot on target. Although Los Angeles is a league leader in possession and leads all of MLS NEXT Pro in accurate passes and pass percentage they have failed to create significant scoring opportunities much like the Monarchs. Los Angeles has only taken 43 shots on target, the third worst mark in the league only ahead of Tacoma Defiance and Real Monarchs.
While both teams have struggled to find the back of the net during the first half of the 2023 campaign, both teams are within the top half of the league in regaining possession and completing tackles. Galaxy II and Real Monarchs both are currently within top ten of league leaders in duel percentage, respectively sitting seventh and second in the league.
Jamison Olave and Real Monarchs will focus on recapturing their impressive home form that they closed out the 2022 campaign with this upcoming match. Last season the Monarchs went unbeaten in their last 8 games at home notching a 7W-0L-1D record and outscoring their opponents by 11 goals.
Kickoff between Real Monarchs and LA Galaxy II will begin at 8:00pm MT. The match will be streamed live via Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass or tickets to the match at Zions Bank Stadium can be found here.
Head-to-Head: Real Monarchs and LA Galaxy II have never faced each other in MLS NEXT Pro competition. Previously both sides competed in the USL Championship prior to 2021 and the commencement of MLS NEXT Pro. The Monarchs and Galaxy II met each other as USL Championship foes 11 times with Los Angeles holding a slight advantage in the series claiming five wins to Real Monarch's four victories. Matches between the Monarchs and Galaxy II have historically been high scoring affairs. These two teams have averaged over 3 goals scored per game and since 2016 no game has been won by a goal differential less than 2.
