Real Monarchs SLC 2-0 Las Vegas Lights FC
May 19, 2018; Cashman Field; Las Vegas, Nevada
Real Monarchs SLC (8-1-1, 25 points); Las Vegas Lights FC (2-3-4, 10 points)
Man of the Match: Having a hand in both goals in the Monarchs 2-0 road victory over Lights FC was MF Josh Heard. Heard provided an assist to Sebastian Velasquez in the third minute for the game’s first goal and scored one himself in the 22nd minute. The goal was Heard’s first for the Monarchs since joining the club in the offseason.
Telling Stat: 84.2. Real Monarchs won 84.2 percent of its tackles against Las Vegas to supplement the efficient attacking prowess the club carries. Winning tackles in the defensive half as well as the attacking half, ensured the Monarchs were able to walk away with a shutout victory on the road in a tough environment.
What You Missed: The Monarchs earned its first victory over I-15/Saint-and-Sinners rival Las Vegas Lights FC with its 2-0 win on Saturday. The teams played to a scoreless draw in the opening match at Zions Bank Stadium on April 30. The Monarchs will not face Lights FC again in 2018, barring a playoff matchup come October.
So What: The win kept the Monarchs atop the United Soccer League table and clear of its next closest competitor – Phoenix Rising FC – by four points. The Monarchs have played 10 total matches thus far, of which they’ve claimed 8 victories to earn the league’s best goal differential at +11. The club has now won four consecutive matches while stretching its current unbeaten run to five games. The Monarchs remain on the road for a matchup with Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday May 26 at 9:00 p.m. MT. Kickoff at Providence Park is set for 3:00 p.m. MT.
