The Real Monarchs have seen their lead atop the USL slip from ten points to seven as they lost to San Antonio FC on Saturday and after its first home loss of the year the team saw its stock fall in the power rankings for the first time in weeks. The club now sits in fourth place in the weekly rankings with seven matches remaining in the 2017 regular season. But all is not doom and gloom for the Monarchs after Saturday, the club clinched a playoff spot for the first time in their history, even with the loss.
“The Monarchs’ first trip to the postseason was a silver lining to its disappointing late letdown, but the side’s fate in terms of top spot in the Western Conference and the USL Regular Season Championship is still firmly in its hands. Saturday’s visit to the last-place Portland Timbers 2 offers a great opportunity for a bounce-back performance.
The Monarchs clinched a place in the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs thanks to OKC Energy FC’s defeat against the Swope Park Rangers on Saturday night, but will now face a challenge for the USL Regular Season Championship should San Antonio be able to claim victory in its game in hand on the Western Conference leader. The game will also offer a big chance for Head Coach Mark Briggs to work with his team, who had been in prime position to take victory. The memories of this contest will be a major storyline should these teams meet again when the postseason arrives.”
Four of the next seven matches for the Monarchs come on the road and the team currently holds a 6-3-3 record, one of the best road records in the league. The team will be sure to maintain its points lead atop the USL as the playoffs grow nearer.
Click on the picture below to check out the latest USL power rankings:
