Sandy, Utah (Saturday October 14, 2017) – Real Monarchs (20-5-7, 67 points, 1st Overall) downed Los Angeles Galaxy II by a 2-1 scoreline in the 2017 USL Regular Season finale Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium. Early goals from DF Emilio Orozco and MF Sebastian Velasquez led the way as the USL reg. season Champions look ahead to Friday’s inaugural USL Cup Playoff game.
The game started with a flare as the Monarchs scored the first goal in just the sixth minute, as Orozco touched home from inside the six-yard box. A corner kick swung in by MF Diego Calvo flew through bodies in the box and found the feet of Orozco for the goal.
Just 13 minutes later the Monarchs added a second, this time through Velasquez who volleyed home a first time shot towards the far post for his ninth goal of the season. Los Angeles pulled a goal back just before halftime, when midfielder Adrian Vera smashed home after rounding Monarchs GK Connor Sparrow to cut the Monarchs’ lead in half.
The second half was primarily played through the midfield, with no clear sight at goal coming for either side. Sparrow was kept busy on the night, making three big saves before taking a cleat to the face in second-half stoppage time.
The Monarchs will now await Sunday’s USL results to see who it will host at Rio Tinto Stadium on Friday, Oct. 20 for the first-ever playoff game in club history.
UP NEXT: The Monarchs will begin its first ever playoff run Friday at Rio Tinto Stadium after winning the USL Regular Season Championship Shield last weekend. The USL quarterfinal match is slated for 7:30 p.m. MT in Sandy, with the opponent yet to be determined. Sacramento Republic FC, Tulsa Roughnecks FC and Oklahoma City Energy FC are all tied on 46 points entering Sunday’s USL action.
SCORING SUMMARY:
SLC – Emilio Orozco (Diego Calvo), 6th minute: A corner kick from Diego Calvo found its way to the back post and to the feet of Orozco. Oroazco did well to knock the ball home after it skipped off the wet surface for his first of the year.
SLC – Sebastian Velasquez, 19th minute: Another corner kick from Calvo took a deflected header straight up as Velasquez ran to meet the to keep the attack alive. Velasquez elected to volley the ball first-time towards the far post as his shot took a deflection on the way in for his ninth of the season
LA – Adrian Vera, 42nd minute: A well timed run into the Monarchs penalty area gave Vera a chance at a 1v1 with Monarchs goalkeeper Connor Sparrow. Luckily for Vera the ball fell to his feet as his awareness allowed him to round Sparrow and slam home to cut the Monarch’s lead in half.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
SLC – Connor Sparrow, 23rd minute: Faced with a 1v1 situation, Sparrow held his ground as Galaxy II forward Ethan Zubak slammed a shot towards the far post. Sparrow did well to kick out his right leg to deny the Galaxy II striker.
NOTES:
- The Monarchs finished the USL Regular Season with a 20-5-7 record, the best in the club’s three-year history in a season that included the first-ever trophy won by capturing the USL Regular Season Championship Shield.
- The Monarchs will now begin its first-ever playoff run with the opportunity to host four consecutive matches at Rio Tinto Stadium, including the 2017 USL Cup if the Monarchs are to make the final.
Match: Real Monarchs vs LA Galaxy II
Date: October 14, 2017
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
Attendance: 1,875
Weather: Clear and 44 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Monarchs 2 0 2
LA Galaxy II 1 0 1
Goal Scoring Rundown:
SLC – Emilio Orozco (Diego Calvo) 6’
SLC – Sebastian Velasquez (Diego Calvo), 19’
LA – Adrian Vera,42’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (4-2-3-1): Connor Sparrow; Taylor Peay, James Moberg, Emilio Orozco (Michael Gallagher, 45’), Max Lachowecki; Nick Besler, Diego Calvo, Juan Mare (Daniel Haber, 77’), Sebastian Velasquez (Karsetn Hanlin 66’), Danny Cruz; Chandler Hoffman
Subs not used: Andrew Putna, Kyle Curinga, Andrew Brody, Skyler Milne
LA Galaxy II: Justin Vom Steeg; Tyler Turner, Hugo Arellano, Jeffery Payeras, Jean Engola; Alejandro Covarrubias, Ryo Fuji (Jorge Hernandez, 83’), Jaime Villareal (Miguel Aguilar, 83’), Adrian Vera; Ethan Zubak, Justin Dhillon (Alex Mendez, 76’)
Subs not used: Bennett Sneddon, Jake Arteage, Zico Bailey, Jonathan Estrada
Stats Summary: SLC/LA
Shots: 9 / 13
Shots on Goal: 4 / 4
Saves: 3 / 2
Corner Kicks: 11 / 2
Fouls: 10 / 11
Offside: 4/ 0
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
LA – Alejandro Covarrubias (caution) 47’
LA – Hugo Arellano (caution) 58’
LA – Jean Engola (ejection) 90’+4
LA – Tyler Turner (caution) 90’+7
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Hamed Sadeghi
Assistant Referees: TJ Zablocki, David Rozek
4th Official: Kristi Mak
