Real Monarchs SLC 2-0 Rio Grande Valley FC
June 4, 2018; Zions Bank Stadium; Herriman, Utah
Real Monarchs SLC (10-2-1, 31 points); Rio Grande Valley FC (1-4-7, 10 points)
Man of the Match: Scoring his first professional goal was RSL Academy midfielder Richard Ledezma. After entering the match as a substitute after just 17 minutes, Ledezma found the back of the net in the 25th minute, notching what would be the winner in his fifth appearance for the Monarchs this season.
Telling Stat: 63.7. Against RGVFC, the Monarchs won 63.7% of the possession battle, continuing the trend of dominating opponents in Herriman. Through that possession, the club also placed nine shots on target in the match, two of which found the back of the net.
What You Missed: Three Real Salt Lake Academy products have now made their professional debut with the Monarchs in 2018 as David Ochoa, Glademir Mendoza and Ledezma have all seen the field thus far. The growth pipeline of the club has flexed its muscles in 2018 as Academy players continue to filter into the professional ranks.
So What: The Monarchs have now laid claim to a seven point lead atop the league standings while holding a goal differential of +13. The club boasts a dominant 6-0-1 (19 points) record at Zions Bank Stadium and has only lost on two occasions this season. An eight-day hiatus awaits the Monarchs before it travels to Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City to face Swope Park Rangers on June 13 as it looks to continue its dominant run of form away from Herriman. Kick off for the match is set for 6:30 p.m. MT and can be seen live on ESPN+.
