PORTLAND, Oregon (Saturday, May 7, 2016) – Real Monarchs could not halt its early season slide, losing 3-1 to Timbers 2 in regular-season USL action at Providence Park in Portland. A first-half goal by Ben Polk separated the teams at halftime before a Neco Brett brace sandwiched the Monarchs' first goal in 4 matches, as rookie MF Andrew Brody found the back of the net for the first time as a professional.
The Monarchs opened the match brightly and saw the lion’s share of possession on a balmy Portland evening. Excellent interplay between MF Amass Amankona and Brody down the right side led to the first cross of the game being whipped in, but FW Mikey Orellana was inches away from connecting with his head to put the Monarchs up.
DF Chris Schuler started and played in his first match in 10 months, after a foot injury limited the long-time Real Salt Lake man to just five appearances a year ago. Schuler played the first 45 minutes, getting his first taste of action early on, clearing with his head for a corner and preventing T2 a free header 5 yards from goal. The resultant corner saw GK Lalo Fernandez make a fine save to stop what would have been an "Olimpico" (goal straight from the corner). Fernandez stuck out a palm at the last second to keep the score level.
It was not long though before Portland got on the scoresheet, as Ben Polk clinically finished a cutback after his teammate had weaved through two Monarch defenders. The rest of the first half was all Monarchs, but Head Coach Freddy Juarez' team could not find a breakthrough as several well-placed crosses were not met. Aside from the goal conceded, defensively the Monarchs were very sound, as Juarez was delighted with the 45-minute shift put in by the unscathed Schuler.
DF Phanuel Kavita came on to replace Schuler at halftime, the match continuing with the same pace as the first 45. The Monarchs controlled the vast majority of possession with T2 looking to counterattack. The first yellow card of the contest came in the 48th minute as T2 centerback Taylor Peay - like Kavita, a Utah high school product - was penalized for a clumsy challenge on FW Ricardo Velazco, who had ghosted by two Portland defenders before being brought down. Velazco took the ensuing free kick and bent it over the wall, but the T2 keeper did well to parry the ball to safety.
Brody then had two opportunities to score in quick succession, as Velazco was found twice down the right side - first by Kavita and then by MF Alec Sundly - whipping in two delightful balls, but Brody’s first effort was tame and the second moments later just missed his head. The Timbers were under pressure and DF Emilio Orozco did well to head a corner towards goal, but unfortunately it was straight at the 'keeper.
Moments later though the Providence Park crowd were on their feet again, as Brett was found with a lovely through ball, ghosting by MF Lennon Celestino and in alone on Fernandez, making no mistake and burying the ball into the right corner of the Monarchs net for the go-ahead score.
The Monarchs gave themselves a glimmer of hope with Brody opening his professional account, after a cross by DF Riley McGovern was headed on frame by Velazco, saved by the T2 keeper only for Brody to tap in for 2-1. Unfortunately, despite working hard to get the equalizer, Brody’s goal was a consolation and Portland had time to find a third goal in the waning moments of the match. Kavita lost the ball at the center circle, Portland springing the counter as Brett finished clinically to seal the 3-1 win.
Monarchs travel to face Rio Grande Valley Friday in South Texas, as fans can watch live and follow along at USLsoccer.com.
PORTLAND TIMBERS 2 3: 1 REAL MONARCHS
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2016
PROVIDENCE PARK
Goals by Period 1 2 F
Real Monarchs 0 1 1
Portland Timbers 2 1 2 3
Scoring Summary:
T2: Ben Polk 18’
T2: Neco Brett 81’
RM: Andrew Brody 87’
T2: Nico Brett 90+3’
Misconduct Summary:
T2: Taylor Peay (Caution; Foul) 48’
RM: Lennon Celestino (Caution; Foul) 68’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (4-2-3-1): Lalo Fernandez; Tyler Arnone (Eti Tavares 80’), Chris Schuler (Phanuel Kavita 45’), Emilio Orozco, Max Lachowecki (Riley McGovern 61’); Alec Sundly, Lennon Celestino, Andrew Brody, Ricardo Velazco, Amass Amankona; Maikon Orellana (Colin rolfe 69’).
Substitutes not used: Connor Sparrow, Danilo Acosta, Elder Torres.
Portland Timbers II (4-2-3-1): Kendall McIntosh; Terrell Lowe, Taylor Peay, Michael Gallagher, Marco Farfan; Nick Besler, Andre Lewis (Seth Casiple 93’); Christian Duarte (Villyan Bijev 61’), Neco Brett, Kharlton Belmar; Ben Polk (Brent Richards 80’).
Substitutes not used: Justin Luthy, Trevor Morley, Alexis Meva, Akinjide Idowu.
Referee: Victor Rivas
Assistant Referees: JJ Blodgett, Mike Hohnholz
Fourth Official: Ben Goodman
Weather: Sunny and 80 degrees
