As Real Monarchs continue their impressive start to the 2017 season, players throughout the roster are starting to take the spotlight and this week it shines on midfielder Sebastian Velasquez.
On Thursday, he powered the Monarchs to a third consecutive victory with one goal and one assist in a 5-3 win over Reno. Now perfect through three matches, the Monarchs head to the road to face Colorado Springs on Saturday.
Already staked to a 1-0 advantage, Velasquez added to it in the 26th minute with his first goal of the season. After a Reno clearance was redirected by Nick Besler, the ball fell to Velasquez on the break and he powered his shot past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0. Later, with Reno fighting for a comeback, Velasquez got into the box and eventually hit the ball off of Jose Hernandez and into the net for an assist to seal the 5-3 win.
Velasquez started his professional career with Real Salt Lake in MLS, where he played three seasons before moving to New York City FC for one season in 2015. Last season, he played in the NASL with Rayo OKC. Now back in Utah, he is serving as playmaker in a dynamic Monarchs attack.
He was joined on Team of the Week by goalkeeper Calle Brown (Rio Grande Valley); defenders Luke Boden (Tampa Bay Rowdies), Deklan Wynne (Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2) and Jamie Thomas (Harrisburg City Islanders); midfielders Victor Pineda (Orange County SC), Hadji Barry (Orlando City B) and Luke Rooney (Phoenix Rising); and forwards Seku Conneh (Bethlehem Steel), Jose Angulo (St. Louis) and Corey Hertzog (Pittsburgh Riverhounds).
Monarchs on USL Team of the Week
Week 2: Chase Minter
Week 3: Sebastian Velasquez
