In recent weeks, Real Monarchs SLC has seen its share of ups and downs. Led by Head Coach Martín Vasquez, the Monarchs have gone from a dominating 5-0 victory over LA Galaxy II to a devastating 5-1 loss to newcomers New Mexico United. With every result in between however, there has been one constant every time the Utah side steps on the pitch: The Monarchs have an unwavering fighting spirit.
“We will fight through anything,” Forward Kyle Coffee said. “You know the odds may be stacked against us, but we are not going to give up. We are a bunch of scrapers and fighters that won’t give up without a fight.”
The ‘never-give-up’ attitude the Monarchs players display on the pitch is evident throughout the last few games. After going down to a two-goal deficit early against San Antonio FC, the Monarchs responded with three unanswered goals to walk away victors. The Monarchs nearly had a repeat performance away at Bold Stadium in Austin after going down early by a two-goal deficit that saw the Monarchs answer with possession and outshooting Austin Bold FC 11 to 4 in the second half.
Despite suffering its first back-to-back pair of losses on the season, after falling to Austin Bold FC and then at home to Fresno FC, the Monarchs players and coaching staff are keeping their heads high and looking forward.
“We need to work harder,” Vasquez said after last Saturday’s match against Fresno FC. “That’s the only way to come out of from a situation like this and to prepare for the next game. We’re going to do that. I know we’re going to be tested.”
“We have strong character within the group,” midfielder Jack Blake said about the team. “I’m extremely proud of the boys in not letting their heads drop and, most importantly sticking to our style of football. We’re a whole family. Every time everyone steps out on the field, they put everything into it.”
After a week of rest and training to prepare and improve, the Monarchs will have another opportunity to show its resilience and fighting spirit as it meets its next challenge next week. The Monarchs will set out on the road to play OKC Energy FC at Taft Stadium, a venue where the Utah side holds a record of 0-4-0, having yet to earn a full three points.
Despite the odds stacked against the Monarchs, the team will continue to show the quality it possesses to walk away with points in hand and claim its first road victory of 2019. The matchup with OKC Energy is set for Saturday May 18, where kickoff from Oklahoma City is set for 6:30 p.m. MT. The game can be watched live via stream on ESPN+.
