Herriman, Utah (Sun., August 30, 2026) — Real Monarchs (7-13-4, 29 pts, 11th West) snapped its five game losing streak on Sunday, claiming an emphatic 3-0 win against the Tacoma Defiance (10-11-4, 36 pts, 7th West) at Zions Bank Stadium.
Amidst an ever-changing squad list, Head Coach Mark Lowry gave four different players their first Real Monarchs starts on Sunday. RSL Academy products Isaac Murphy and Nico Silva earned starting spots in the midfield, while the newly acquired Utah native Zach Lifferth made his first Monarchs start at striker. Hayden Sargis also made his first start on Sunday, earning minutes in the defensive midfield after being acquired on loan from USL One side Athletic Club Boise last week. Just before full time, RSL Academy player Rylan Hashimoto subbed on to make his professional debut, capping off a noteworthy night for the home side.
Both teams displayed patient offense in the first half, prioritizing possession and slow build-up play to find good looks on goal. With strong defense from both squads, neither side was able to create quality chances, and the Monarchs and Defiance entered halftime with a single shot on target each. The Utah side’s best opportunity of the half came in the final minute of added time, when Silva dribbled into the box and released a powerful right-footed shot that was parried by Max Anchor.
The Monarchs picked up the pace coming out of the break, pressuring Tacoma’s defense with a series of quick attacks. Former RSL Academy man Antonio Riquelme fired a warning shot in the 51st, rattling the crossbar with a right-footed strike that increased the home side’s momentum. Soon after, Riquelme contributed to the Monarchs’ breakthrough goal in the 59th minute, lofting in a cross from a free kick that found Felix Ewald at the back post. Displaying the poise of a striker, the center back finished with a first-time volley that beat the goalkeeper to the far post.
Real Monarchs encountered a familiar face Sunday, as former Real Salt Lake MLS SuperDraft pick Matthew Bell subbed on for Tacoma in the 62nd minute. The 16th overall pick in 2024, Bell spent time with the Monarchs in 2025 before ending up on the Defiance’s roster in July.
After a dominant display in the second half, the Monarchs doubled its lead in the 83rd minute, capitalizing off another set piece. Riquelme and Ewald connected on the homesides first goal, and repeated it for the second, with Ewald heading home his second goal off a corner for his first Monarchs brace. Minutes later in the 89th, the home side got the dagger. Dribbling down the middle of the field, Riquelme played a beautiful through ball into Lionel Djiro, who finished with a left-footed strike that split the goalkeeper's legs. The goal was Djiro’s second as a Monarch, and completed Riquelme’s hat trick of assists on the night.
After a month of road trips and roster changes, the Monarchs ended August on a high note with an impressive 3-0 victory in front of its home fans.
Real Monarchs are back on the road next Friday, September 4, travelling to face North Texas SC at Texas Health Mansfield Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. MT, with the game available to stream on OneFootball.
SLC 3 : 0 TAC
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
SLC: Felix Ewald (Antonio Riquelme) 59’: Riquelme swung in a dangerous free kick to the back post where Ewald was waiting to one-time volley the ball with his right foot into the upper left corner of the goal.
SLC: Felix Ewald (Antonio Riquelme) 83’: Riquelme swung in a dangerous corner kick into the six yard box, where Ewald leaped high in the air and finished the cross with a powerful header into the back of the net.
SLC: Lionel Djiro (Antonio Riquelme) 89’: Djiro made a darting run in behind the last center back before calmly finishing through the legs of the Tacoma goalkeeper.
LINEUPS:
Real Monarchs (4-4-2): Max Kerkvliet ©; Linkon Ream Felix Ewald, Hayden Sargis, Ruben Mesalles; Nico Silva, (Chance Cowell, 88’), Dylan Kropp, Isaac Murphy, (Kellen Poll, 88’), Owen Anderson (Rylan Hashimoto, 90+1’); Zach Lifferth,(Lionel Djiro, 74’) Antonio Riquelme (Diego Rocio, 90+1’)
Subs not used: Trace Alphin, Luis Rivera
Tacoma Defiance (5-2-3): Max Anchor ©; Charlie Gaffney, Mark Cian O’Neill, Gallatin Sandnes, Jasper Winslow, Codey Phoenix; Daniel Robles, (Landon Lucero, 79’), Bryan Cisneros-Tafolla, (Jared Rios, 62’); Rafael Jauregui, (Matthew Christopher Bell, 62’), Edson Carli; Mark Bronnik
Subs not used: Jose Kevin Bonilla, Mohammed Shour, Omar Hassan, Andrew Brown
Stats Summary: SLC / TAC
Shots: 14 / 9
Shots on Goal: 6 / 3
Saves: 3 / 3
Corner Kicks: 6 / 3
Fouls: 12 / 13
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SLC: Antonio Riquelme (Yellow Card - 38’)
TAC: Jasper Winslow (Yellow Card - 42’)
TAC: Mark Cian O’Neil (Yellow Card - 62’)
