IRVINE, Calif. (Saturday, June 3, 2017) – Real Monarchs SLC rode a first-minute goal from FW Chandler Hoffman – his club-high seventh of the season – to earn its seventh consecutive victory and improve to 10-1-0 in USL play. With a victory next Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium against Portland Timbers 2, Head Coach Mark Briggs’ team can match the all-time USL winning streak mark, set in 2014 by Orlando City.
The Monarchs took a lead which it would not relinquish in the opening minute, as a low cross from the left by MF Charlie Adams – the team’s assist leader, now with five – found Hoffman at the near post, where he knocked home his seventh goal of the season, the third-highest total in USL. Prior to tonight, the Monarchs had scored multiple goals in each of its previous nine victories, making the club the highest scoring team in the USL, with 28 goals through 11 matches. The Monarchs boast six players with multiple goals, including 12 total goalscorers so far this season.
The Monarchs nearly doubled their lead in the 22nd minute, as a defensive turnover created another opening for Hoffman, who was denied by OCSC goalkeeper Charlie Lyon, before FW Daniel Haber shot over the crossbar.
Orange County (3-4-1, 10 pts) had a chance to level just before the halftime break from the penalty spot, but Monarchs GK Connor Sparrow saved as Jerry van Ewijk’s shot to the left corner was denied. Sparrow’s PK save was his second of the year, while the Monarchs’ collective defense has allowed just three goals in its last 494 minutes of play.
The Monarchs almost added to their lead with 15 minutes to go as a give-and-go with Hoffman put playmaker Sebastian Velasquez into the penalty area, but Lyon made a big save to keep it a one-goal game. Orange County’s Amirgy Pineda had a shot that went just wide of the left post three minutes later, and the hosts pressed late for an equalizer, but Real held on to put itself one win from tying the league’s consecutive wins mark.
Sparrow’s penalty save was the crucial moment in the game, and the second-year ‘keeper improved to 5-0-0 on the year, allowing just three goals in his 450 minutes of play. Sparrow and fellow GKs Lalo Fernandez and Andrew Putna have benefited from a backline bolstered by three players – Captain Nick Besler, DF James Moberg and DF Max Lachowecki – who have each played every single one of the club’s 990 minutes this season.
UP NEXT: The Monarchs return home this weekend against Portland Timbers 2 (7:00 p.m. MT kickoff) seeking to match the USL’s all-time record of eight straight wins, set by Orlando City SC in 2014. Three USL teams have won seven consecutive games:
USL Winning Streaks (regular season)
8 games: Orlando City SC (2014)
7 games: Real Monarchs (active)
7 games: Swope Park Rangers (2016-17)
7 games: Orlando City SC (2011-12)
7 games: New York Red Bulls II (2016)
The Monarchs have also now won six consecutive home matches, which ranks fourth-best n the USL’s all-time record book:
USL Home Winning Streaks (incl. playoffs)
13 games: Orlando City SC (2014)
11 games: Rochester Rhinos (2015-16)
8 games: Swope Park Rangers (2016-17)
6 games: Real Monarchs (2016-present)
The Monarchs return home to Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday, June 10, to host Portland Timbers 2 at 7:00 p.m. MT. The Rio Tinto Stadium box office is open Mon.-Fri., 10a-6p; more information can be found online at www.RSL.com/Tickets. Current or interested RSL Royalty Season Ticket Members can purchase extra tickets at preferred pricing or gain assistance via the Fan Relations Hotline at 801-727-2702.
NOTES:
- Real Monarchs are now 5-1-0 on the road this season, and return home Saturday looking to stay perfect at “The RioT” in Sandy, where HC Mark Briggs’ side is 5-0-0 so far in 2017
- The 30-point total for the Monarchs through 10 games more than doubles its total points at same juncture in either its 2015 inaugural season or 2016, with the club reaching the 30-point threshold tonight prior to the team with which it is now tied, San Antonio FC (9-0-3); SAFC has played one more game than the Monarchs, with the USL/Western Conference elite squaring off in Central Texas on July 22
- GK Connor Sparrow notched his third and the team’s fourth shutout of the season
- The USL side has scored multiple goals in all but two of its 11 games this season, the lone exceptions a 2-1 defeat against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on April 15, and tonight’s 1-0 win
Match: Real Monarchs at Orange County SC
Date: June 3, 2017
Venue: Irvine, Calif.
Weather: 66 degrees and clear
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Orange County 0 0 0
Real Monarchs 1 0 1
RM: Chandler Hoffman (Charlie Adams) – 1’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (4-2-3-1): Connor Sparrow; Max Lachowecki, Michael Gallagher, James Moberg, Taylor Peay; Nick Besler, Charlie Adams; Daniel Haber (Chase Minter 62), Sebastian Velasquez (Karsten Hanlin 95+), Andrew Brody; Chandler Hoffman (Jonel Desiré 83)
Subs not used: Andrew Putna, Emilio Orozco, Skyler Milne, Emmanuel Ocran
Orange County (4-5-1): Lyon; Franco, Meeus, Navarro, Wbias, Pineda (Alvarez 69), Etim (Stefanovic 37), Chaplow, Villalobos (Pineda 57), van Ewijk,; Fernandes
Subs not used: Byers, Esua, Ocegueda, Kobayashi
Stats Summary: OC / RM
Shots: 12 / 8
Shots on Goal: 8 / 5
Saves: 8 / 4
Corner Kicks: 4 / 5
Fouls: 7 / 7
Offside: 3 / 1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
OC – Fernandes (caution) – 10’
RM – Gallagher (caution) – 46’
RM – Desiré (caution) – 91+
