Game at a Glance: Real Monarchs 4-2 Timbers 2

Real Monarchs SLC 4-2 Portland Timbers 2
March 31, 2018; Sandy, Utah; Rio Tinto Stadium
Real Monarchs SLC (2-0-0, 6 points); Portland Timbers 2 (1-2-0, 3 points)

Man of the Match: Making his first start in a Real Monarchs SLC uniform was DF Kalen Ryden who notched two of the team’s four goals against T2. Ryden was deadly in the penalty area when the team earned set pieces, scoring twice from headers and challenged for nearly every ball played into the box. Ryden was also staunch defensively, breaking up chances by T2 to help secure the home opening victory.

Telling Stat: The Monarchs controlled possession throughout the match, earning 56% of the total possession through 90 minutes against T2. On top of the possession, the club earned 7 corner kicks in the match, two of which were headed home by DFs Nick Besler and Kalen Ryden inside seven minutes of play.

What You Missed: Prior to the match against T2, former Real Monarchs Assistant Coach, Irish international, Manchester United and Celtic midfielder Liam Miller was honored with a video tribute and round of applause. Miller tragically passed away in February after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Defender Kalen Ryden said of Miller after the match: “There was a lot of words of motivation and encouragement pregame today from coaching staff and the players and me not being part of the team, not knowing Liam, I did feel that and that gave me a little extra today as well.”

So What: The Monarchs stepped out to a 3-0 lead by the game’s 32^nd minute but then gave up two goals by the 59^th minute to bring the score to 3-2 for the final third of the match. However, the Monarchs regained control of the match and found a fourth goal through MF Sebastian Velasquez to seal the match. For the second week running the club found a way to earn the full three points and remain undefeated in season and home opening matches. With a full week of training ahead, the Monarchs will look to carry the momentum from the first two matches into Arizona against Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday.