SALT LAKE CITY (Saturday, May 21, 2016) – Real Monarchs SLC (3-3-3, 12 pts) captured the full three points Saturday night in a rare return to Utah soil in the midst of 11 consecutive games away from Rio Tinto Stadium, coming from behind to reverse an 0-1 halftime deficit against visiting Orange County Blues and win 3-1 at Ute Field on the campus of the University of Utah Saturday night.
MF Ricardo Velazco – moved wide in recent weeks in Head Coach Freddy Juarez’ 4-3-3 formation – scored twice in the second half, his goals sandwiching the assist on what proved to be the game-winner by MF Alec Sundly. The Monarchs’ victory snapped a five-game winless streak dating back to April 9.
The visitors came out on the front foot at a heavy, slow Ute Field, which had been drenched with rain over the last 24 hours. The Blues looked comfortable from the start, taking an early lead in the sixth minute when Dusan Stevanovic took a diagonal cross and after one touch, buried his shot across GK Lalo Fernandez’ goal for an early OC lead.
While the Monarchs included some professional experience with RSL men Olmes Garcia, Boyd Okwuonu, Phanuel Kavita, Omar Holness and Chris Schuler in the starting eleven, the Blues tapped into their grizzled and gritty veteran squad to manage the rest of the half and carry the 1-0 lead into halftime.
The Monarchs’ patience and intelligence shone in the second half, creating back-to-back goals in a 10-minute span. First, Velazco headed home Honduran international Elder Torres’ free kick, finding the inside of the left post to knot the match at 1-1 in the 50th minute. Then Velazco set up Sundly’s eventual game-winner in the 59th minute, his corner kick perfectly placed in the middle of the area and Sundly redirecting with the outside of his right boot for a 2-1 lead.
Velazco’s second tally provided the insurance when the Monarchs dispossessed the Blues’ midfield, as the Tucson native showcased his speed and precision, dribbling through multiple OC defenders, then finding the right moment to slot past the ‘keeper for a 3-1 cushion in the 69th minute.
Saturday’s match was the third of an 11-game trek away from home, although it marks one of two games – including Sat., June 11 v Sacramento – which are considered “Monarchs On Tour” home matches, with the June match in Reno, Nevada. The Monarchs return to Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday, July 2, hosting Vancouver Whitecaps 2 after the Sandy venue’s field resurfacing is complete.
The general public sale for 2016 Monarchs season tickets is ongoing. In addition, Real Salt Lake season ticket members can join the Crown Club (www.RSL.com/tickets/Crown-Club) by adding Real Monarchs season tickets for as low as $48, including exclusive Crown Club benefits. The Rio Tinto Stadium box office is open Tues.-Fri., 10a-6p; more information can be found online at www.RSL.com/Monarchs/Schedule or via the Fan Relations Hotline at 801-727-2702.
REAL MONARCHS 3:1 Orange County Blues
Saturday, May 21, 2016
- Ute Soccer Field
Goals by Period 1 2 F
Real Monarchs 0 3 3
Orange County Blues 1 0 1
Scoring Summary:
OCB - Dusan Stevanovic 6’
RM - Ricardo Velazco 50’
RM - Alec Sundly 59’
RM - Ricardo Velazco 69’
Misconduct Summary:
RM: Boyd Okwuonu (Caution; Foul) 56’
RM: Omar Holness (Caution; Foul) 70’
OC: Pavle Popara (Caution; Foul) 90’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (4-2-3-1): Lalo Fernandez; Max Lachowecki (Emery Welshman), Chris Schuler (Emilio Orozco), Phanuel Kavita, Boyd Okwuonu (Riley McGovern); Omar Holness (Tyler Arnone), Alec Sundly; Ricardo Velazco, Elder Torres (Amass Amankona), Andrew Brody; Olmes Garcia
Substitutes not used: Connor Sparrow, Colin Rolfe
Orange County Blues (4-2-3-1): Brandon Miller, Roy Meeus, Brenton Griffiths, Maurice Pluntke; Jackson McCracken, Ivan Mirkovic, Oriol Cortes, Dusan Stevanovic, Didier Crettenand, Trevin Caesar, Daniel Baccido (Pavle Popara)
Substitutes not used: Joshua Cohen, Ryan Felix, Tyler Feeley, Mats Bjurman, Verneri Valimaa, Gevorg Karapetyan
