Edinburg, Texas (Wednesday, July 26, 2017) – FW Chandler Hoffman’s second half penalty was the difference as the Real Monarchs (15-2-2, 47 pts) edged Rio Grande Valley FC 2-1 at HEB Park. The Monarchs move 9 points clear at the top of the Western Conference and improve to 6-2-2 on the road.
MF Charlie Adams earned the spot kick after he was taken down by Ivan Magalhaes in the 79th minute. Hoffman’s tally tied with Reno 1868’s Dane Kelly for second in the USL with 13 goals.
MF Daniel Haber opened the scoring for the Monarchs in the first half. Haber launched the attack after causing a turnover near midfield, then finished the play when MF Reagan Dunk spotted the Canadian free in the box. Haber collected his fourth goal of the season in the eighth minute.
GK Connor Sparrow was exceptional in net, saving a first-half penalty from Eric Bird after Jose Escalante was fouled in the area. Sparrow denied Kyle Murphy from point blank range later in the half on his way to six saves in the victory.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs will return to Rio Tinto Stadium to face the Tulsa Roughnecks (7:00 p.m. MT, Monday). The Monarchs are a perfect 9-0-0 at home this season and look to extend their home winning streak to 11 matches dating back to last season.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
RM -- Daniel Haber (Reagan Dunk), 8th minute: Daniel Haber forced a turnover near midfield and launched the Monarchs forward. Reagan Dunk slipped Haber into the box, and the Canadian finished calmly past Marco Carducci.
RGV -- Jose Escalante (Kyle Murphy), 58th minute: Kyle Murphy spotted Jose Escalante at the edge of the area and sent a cross on the ground to the midfielder. Escalante hammered it past a diving Connor Sparrow on the near post.
RM -- Chandler Hoffman (PK), 79th minute: Ivan Magalhaes took down Charlie Adams, after the midfielder went on a long run into the box. Chandler Hoffman sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to collect his 13th goal of the season.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
RGV -- Marco Carducci, 13th minute: The ball popped out to Chandler Hoffman at the top of the box. Marco Carducci punched Hoffman’s left footed shot away.
RM -- Connor Sparrow, 15th minute: After Jose Escalante drew the penalty, Connor Sparrow denied Eric Bird from the spot. Sparrow parried the chance away diving to his left.
RM -- Daniel Haber, 40th minute: Haber found space on the right side outside of the box and stung the crossbar. Rio Grande cleared the rebound.
RM -- Connor Sparrow, 45+ minute: Kai Greene sent in a perfect cross to the back post to Kyle Murphy, but Sparrow recovered across his line to parry the header out for a corner.
RGV -- Victor Garza, 57th minute: Chase Minter beat his defender down the line and cut back to Daniel Haber. Victor Garza cleared the ball off the line.
NOTES:
- The Claret-and-Cobalt USL side is now 1-1-1 all-time against Rio Grande Valley FC.
- Chandler Hoffman’s tally tied with Reno 1868’s Dane Kelly for second in USL with 13 goals. It was his fifth in the last four matches.
- Daniel Haber scored his fourth goal of the season.
- Sebastian Velasquez made his return to the field after being sidelined with a hamstring injury. The midfielder entered the match in the 63rd minute.
Match: Real Monarchs at Rio Grande Valley FC
Date: July 26, 2017
Venue: H-E-B Park; Edinburg, Texas
Weather: 89 degrees and Sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Monarchs 1 1 2
Rio Grande Valley FC 0 1 1
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (4-2-3-1): Connor Sparrow; Kyle Curinga (James Moberg 68’), Justin Schmidt, Michael Gallagher, Max Lachowecki; Nick Besler, Charlie Adams; Reagan Dunk (Sebastian Velasquez 63’), Chase Minter, Daniel Haber (Karsten Hanlin 89’); Chandler Hoffman
Subs not used: Andrew Putna, Riggs Lennon, Emilio Orozco, Jonel Desire
San Antonio FC (4-2-3-1): Marco Carducci; Taylor Hunter, Victor Garza (Todd Wharton 82’), Ivan Magalhaes, Kai Greene; Jorginho James, Eric Bird; TJ Casner, Camilo Monroy (Kyle Murphy 24’), Jose Escalante (Christian Lucatero 83’); Francisco Ramos Pungo
Subs not used: Borja Angoitia, Leo Ayala, Juan Garcia, Robby Sagel
Stats Summary: RGV/ RM
Shots: 18 / 9
Shots on Goal: 7 / 3
Saves: 1 / 6
Corner Kicks: 8 / 4
Fouls: 14 / 14
Offside: 2 / 1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RM -- Daniel Haber (Caution) - 32’
RM -- Michael Gallagher (Caution) - 37’
RM -- Nick Besler (Caution) - 69’
RGV -- Ivan Magalhaes (Caution) - 78’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Mike Arrington
Assistant Referees: Francisco Bermudez, Wilfredo Mejia
4th Official: Rosendo Ovalle
