Langley, B.C. (Sunday, May 28, 2017) – Monarchs DF Taylor Peay and MF Nick Besler converted on first-half set-piece opportunities, as Real Monarchs (9-1-0, 27 points, 2nd West / 2nd Overall in USL) held on to win 2-1 at McLeod Athletic Park against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday afternoon.
The victory extended the side’s active win streak to a club-best six games, as HC Mark Briggs’ team completed the road treble against Pacific Northwest foes, as the side had posted a 2-1 win at Portland and a 3-1 triumph at Seattle earlier this year.
The Monarchs got the match off to a roaring start in the 6th minute after Besler flicked a header off a MF Charlie Adams corner kick in the direction of Peay. The Salt Lake City native made no mistake, nodding the pass into the roof of the net. The tally is Peay’s first goal for the Claret-and-Cobalt USL side, becoming the 12th goalscorer for the club, and in his first-ever start for the third-year club.
MF Daniel Haber nearly scored against his former club moments later. MF Sebastian Velasquez found the former Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 player on the left channel driving into the penalty area. Haber’s left-footed strike across the face of goal challenged Paolo Tornaghi, but the Whitecaps goalkeeper was equal to the task.
Tornaghi limited the damage all afternoon, until the Monarchs broke through again the 22nd minute. Adams delivered perfect service from the corner and connected with Besler on the far post. This time, the Monarchs Captain didn’t need help as he headed home his third goal of the season.
The Monarchs have scored multiple goals in every one of the team's nine wins this season, the lone exception a 2-1 defeat against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on April 15. Real leads the league with 27 goals in 10 matches.
The second half lacked the chances of the first, but Vancouver pulled one back in the 78th minute. Whitecaps FC 2 substitute Nicolas Apostol spotted Terran Campbell in behind in the center of the penalty area. Campbell finished from seven yards out to make it 2-1.
But defensively, GK Lalo Fernandez and company were resolute dealing with Vancouver crosses and denying clear cut chances. Fernandez collected his lone save of the match in second half stoppage time. The RSL Academy graduate was positioned perfectly to stop the Thomas Sanner header.
Briggs’ sideused all three substitutions. MF Chase Minter replaced FW Chandler Hoffman after 72 minutes of action. Haberwas replaced by FW Skyler Milne in the 82nd minute. MF Karsten Hanlin came on for Velasquezin the 88th minute.
UP NEXT: The Monarchs will be on the road again next weekend, traveling for its Week 11 game at Orange County SC (6:00 p.m. MT, Saturday). Real lost to Orange County at Anteater Stadium 1-0 on June 18, 2016 in the last meeting in Southern California between the two sides. The Monarchs trail in the all time series 1-4-0.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
RM -- Taylor Peay (Nick Besler), 6th minute: Monarchs Captain Nick Besler was on the far post when he flicked a header off a Charlie Adams corner kick in the direction of Taylor Peay. Peay nodded the pass into the roof of the net to open the scoring.
RM -- Nick Besler (Charlie Adams), 21st minute: Once again, Charlie Adams delivered a peach of a corner kick to Nick Besler on the far post. This time the Captain didn’t need help to see his header bulge the back of the net.
VAN -- Terran Campbell (Nicolas Apostol), 78th minute: Whitecaps FC 2 substitute Nicolas Apostol made his presence felt nearly immediately since his inclusion in the match. Apostol played in the service on the ground to find Terran Campbell for the tap in to beat Lalo Fernandez.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
VAN -- Paolo Tornaghi, 9th minute: The Monarchs were quick in transition when Charlie Adams forced a turnover at midfield. Daniel Haber found Chandler Hoffman on the near post, and the forward’s redirect struck the post and caromed out in front of goal. Sebastian Velasquez smashed the rebound on frame, but Paolo Tornaghi parried the opportunity out for a corner kick.
VAN -- Paolo Tornaghi, 17th minute: Sebastian Velasquez started the play by forcing a turnover in midfield. The diminutive playmaker found Daniel Haber on the left channel driving into the penalty area. Haber’s left-footed strike across the face of goal challenged Tornaghi, but the Whitecaps goalkeeper was equal to the task.
VAN -- Paolo Tornaghi, 20th minute: Andrew Brody drove across the top of the box and drew a defender off of Daniel Haber on the left side. Haber took a touch to settle the ball and struck it on goal, but Tornaghi dove to his left for the save.
RM -- Lalo Fernandez, 90+ minute: Whitecaps FC 2 Substitute Nazeem Bartman served in a cross for Thomas Sanner in the center of the goal. Lalo Fernandez was positioned perfectly to make his lone save of the afternoon.
NOTES:
- Real Monarchs are 2-2-2 in USL play against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2. The win was the club’s first in Canada against Vancouver.
- RM Captain Nick Besler led by example with a goal and assist. The midfielder has three goals and two assists in 10 games.
- The Monarchs are now winners of a club-record six straight games, a streak started back to April 22nd.
- The Claret-and-Cobalt USL side has scored multiple goals in every game this season, except a 2-1 defeat against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on April 15. Real leads the league with 27 goals in 10 matches.
Match: Real Monarchs at Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
Date: May 28, 2017
Venue: McLeod Athletic Park; Langley, British Columbia
Weather: 64 degrees and sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Monarchs 2 0 2
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 0 1 1
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (4-2-3-1): Lalo Fernandez; Max Lachowecki, Taylor Peay, James Moberg, Kyle Curinga; Nick Besler, Charlie Adams; Daniel Haber (Skyler Milne 82’), Sebastian Velasquez (Karsten Hanlin 88’), Andrew Brody; Chandler Hoffman (Chase Minter 72’)
Subs not used: Connor Sparrow, Emilio Orozco, Emmanuel Ocran, Jonel Desire
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2: (4-3-3): Paolo Tornaghi; Andrew Thoma, William Seymore, Dominick Zator, Chris Serban; Thomas Gardner, David Norman (Nazeem Bartman 45’), Gloire Amanda (Patrick Metcalfe 45’); Tarran Campbell, Thomas Sanner, Kayden Chung (Nicolas Apostol 73’)
Subs not used: Mark Village, Michael Baldisimo, Matthew Baldisimo, Thelonius Bai
Stats Summary: VAN / RM
Shots: 6 / 18
Shots on Goal: 2 / 7
Saves: 5 / 1
Corner Kicks: 4 / 12
Fouls: 14 / 21
Offside: 0 / 3
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RM -- Lalo Fernandez (Caution) - 28’
VAN -- Thomas Sanner (Caution) - 28’
RM -- Syler Milne (Caution) - 86’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Alain Ruch
Assistant Referees: Jasmain Parr, Candace Brown
4th Official: Darnell Smith
