Sandy, UT (Monday, July 31, 2017) – GK Connor Sparrow earned his 4th clean sheet of the season as Real Monarchs (15-2-3, 48 pts., #1 overall USL / Western Conference) labored to a scoreless draw against Tulsa Roughnecks FC in front of 2,420 at Rio Tinto Stadium, the draw putting the Monarchs eight points clear at the top of the USL.
Monday night’s 0 : 0 draw snapped the Monarchs’ 10-game home winning streak, the third-best in USL history, dating back to 2016. The Claret-and-Cobalt USL side remains undefeated at home this season at 9-0-1 as its Rio Tinto Stadium unbeaten run extends to 11 games.
The two sides played a tense first 45 minutes, with the home team controlling the majority of the possession. Roughnecks FC goalkeeper Fabian Cerda stopped both of RM’s shots on target in the first half. MF Sebastian Velasquez had the best opportunity on a long-distance effort that stung Cerda’s hands, but didn’t cause any problems. Tulsa failed to threaten Sparrow’s net in the first period.
Sparrow made his lone save of the match in the 61st minute. Joaquin Rivas tested his range from 25 yards out and caused Sparrow to spill the save, but the Monarchs goalkeeper recovered quickly to cover up the danger.
The Monarchs’ best chance of the match came once MF Jose Hernandez entered in the 60th minute for MF Charlie Adams. Hernandez danced past a defender in the box to set up MF Daniel Haber in the middle, but Cerda was positioned perfectly.
The Monarchs’ attack – ranking second in the USL with 44 goals and leading the league with a +24 goal differential – suffered just its second shutout in 20 games this year, both coming against the tactically-organized Roughnecks, which won in Tulsa back on July 1 by an 0-2 scoreline.
HC Mark Briggs went through all three substitutions Monday. FW Jonel Desiréreplaced FW Chandler Hoffman in the 76th minute. DF Kyle Curinga came in for an injured DF Max Lachowecki in second half stoppage time.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs will be on the road for Week 21, looking for the season sweep of Oklahoma City Energy FC at Tuft Stadium (6:30 p.m. MT, Saturday). FW Chandler Hoffman bagged a brace in the Monarchs’ 3-1 victory against Energy FC on July 5 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
None
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
TUL -- Fabian Cerda, 8th minute: Sebastian Velasquez unleashed an effort from just outside of the penalty box. Fabian Cerda swallowed the chance without allowing a rebound.
TUL -- Fabian Cerda, 18th minute: Velasquez pulled the trigger on a left-footed shot from 25 yards out, but once again, Cerda wasn’t fooled.
RM -- Connor Sparrow, 61st minute: Joey Calistri found Joaquin Rivas free 25 yards away on the left side. Connor Sparrow saved the left footed effort.
TUL -- Fabian Cerda, 66th minute: Jose Hernandez danced past a defender when he received a through ball into the box and centered the ball for Daniel Haber. Unfortunately, the strike went straight to Cerda.
NOTES:
- The Claret-and-Cobalt USL side snapped the club’s 10-game home win streak dating back to last year. The Monarchs are now 9-0-1 mark so far in 2017.
- Real Salt Lake defender Chris Schuler played with the Monarchs on loan. Schuler returned to the field since being sidelined with an injury in RSL’s match against FC Dallas on June 3.
- Justin Schmidt, Reagan Dunk and Jose Hernandez joined Schuler as RSL men to play for the USL side.
Match: Tulsa Roughnecks at Real Monarchs
Date: July 31, 2017
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
Attendance: 2,420
Weather: 92 degrees and Sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Monarchs 0 0 0
Tulsa Roughnecks FC 0 0 0
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (4-2-3-1): Connor Sparrow; Max Lachowecki (Kyle Curinga 90+’), Chris Schuler, Justin Schmidt, Reagan Dunk; Nick Besler, Charlie Adams (Jose Hernandez 60’); Daniel Haber, Sebastian Velasquez, Chase Minter; Chandler Hoffman (Jonel Desire 78’)
Subs not used: Andrew Putna, James Moberg, Michael Gallagher, Karsten Hanlin
Tulsa Roughnecks: (4-2-3-1): Fabian Cerda; Kosuke Kimura (Paris Gee 52’), Bradley Bourgeois (Francisco Ugarte 83’), Modou Jadama, Jorge Luis Corrales; Collin Fernandez, Jacori Hayes; Joey Calistri, Juan Pablo Caffa, Joaquin Rivas (Christian Thierjung 68’); Ian Svantesson
Subs not used: Bryan Byars, Jaime Ayala, Brady Ballew
Stats Summary: RM/ TUL
Shots: 12 / 8
Shots on Goal: 4 / 2
Saves: 1 / 2
Corner Kicks: 6 / 3
Fouls: 13 / 8
Offside: 0 / 5
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RM -- Chris Schuler (Caution) - 72’
RM -- Sebastian Velasquez (Caution) - 77’
TUL -- Collin Fernandez (Caution) - 90’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Brad Jensen
Assistant Referees: Jonathan Weiner, Allen Pickett
4th Official: Trevor McDowell
