Sandy, UT (Saturday, August 12, 2017) – Real Monarchs SLC (16-3-3, 51 pts) extended its overall lead atop the USL Western Conference and extended the club’s home unbeaten streak to 12 games at Rio Tinto Stadium with a 2-0 win against rival Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Saturday night.
Head Coach Mark Briggs’ side improved to 10-0-1 on the Wasatch Front this year, snapping a two-game overall winless run and quickly disposing of a 193-minute scoring drought. MF Charlie Adams served up two perfect corner kicks in the first 14 minutes. The first came in the second minute, when he spotted DF Taylor Peaymaking a run down the middle. Peay powered the header on frame, with the club’s leading scorer FW Chandler Hoffman knocking it past a helpless Moise Pouaty. With the goal – Hoffman’s 7th game-winner of the year – the Birmingham, Ala. Native is now tied for second in the USL Golden Boot race with 14 goals on his 2017 campaign.
Just minutes later, Adams found DF James Moberg on a corner kick to double the lead for the home side. The former Univ. of Washington defender was unmarked on the far post to collect his third goal of the campaign, while the helper launched Adams into a tie for second place among USL assist leaders this year, with seven.
Monarchs GK Connor Sparrow calmly managed his area to collect his fifth clean sheet of the season, even after MF Chase Minter was sent off in the 71st minute. The goalkeeper displayed his cat-like reflexes in stopping a golden opportunity in the first half, denying Shane Malcolm’s one-time hit from the penalty spot. He one-upped himself in the second half with yet another penalty-kick save on Masta Kacher. The “Rimando-esque” legend of facing Sparrow on penalties grows again, as opposing shooters are zero-for-five this year, with Sparrow saving four of those attempts.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs are on the road for Week 23, heading to Kansas City to face Swope Park Rangers (6:30 p.m. MT, Friday). The two sides have split the season series so far. Both of tonight’s goal-scorers, Hoffman and Moberg, each tallied to help the Monarchs past Swope Park on April 29 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
RM -- Chandler Hoffman (Taylor Peay and Charlie Adams), 2nd minute: Hoffman poked on Taylor Peay’s header past Moise Pouaty for the striker’s 14thgoal of the season.
RM -- James Moberg (Charlie Adams), 14th minute: Adams found Moberg unmarked on the far post. The defender smashed his header into the ground past Pouaty.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
COS - Moise Pouaty, 26th minute: A poor defensive header allowed Chandler Hoffman in behind. The forward went for the delicate chip over Pouaty, but the goalkeeper swatted it away.
COS - Moise Pouaty, 38th minute: Chase Minter sent a dipping effort from outside the box, and Pouaty was equal to the task. Chandler Hoffman’s follow-up effort lacked sting, and the goalkeeper covered well to record the double save.
RM - Connor Sparrow, 41st minute: The Monarchs couldn’t clear lines on a cross, and the ball fell nicely for Shane Malcolm at the penalty spot. The midfielder put his laces through the ball, but Connor Sparrow made a diving save to keep Switchbacks FC off the board.
COS - Moise Pouaty, 58th minute: Chase Minter found space against the endline and fired a shot on goal. Pouaty steered it wide and Colorado Springs cleared its lines.
RM - Connor Sparrow, 59th minute: Sparrow came out strong to deny Shane Malcolm on a 1v1 in the box.
RM - Connor Sparrow, 77th minute: After Taylor Peay took out Kevaughn Frater in the box, Masta Kacher stepped to the spot. Connor Sparrow chose the right way and recorded the save.
NOTES:
- The Claret-and-Cobalt USL side improves to 10-0-1 at home. The club is unbeaten in 12 straight matches at home dating back to last September.
- Chandler Hoffman’s tally ties him for second in the Golden Boot race with 14 goals. Additionally, the strike was the fastest goal for the Monarchs this season, coming in the second minute.
- Connor Sparrow’s record on penalty kicks improved in the 77th minute. Sparrow denied Masta Kacher from the spot on a save down to his right hand side. Opposing shooters are now 0-for-5 from the spot.
Match: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Real Monarchs
Date: August 12, 2017
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
Attendance: 2,385
Weather: 96 degrees and Sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Monarchs SLC 2 0 2
Colorado Springs Switchbacks 0 0 0
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (4-2-3-1): Connor Sparrow; Max Lachowecki, James Moberg, Taylor Peay, Kyle Curinga; Nick Besler, Charlie Adams; Andrew Brody (Daniel Haber 66’), Jose Hernandez (Jonel Desire 80’), Chase Minter; Chandler Hoffman (Skyler Milne 88’)
Subs not used: Andrew Putna, Emilio Orozco, Karsten Hanlin, Justin Schmidt
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (4-2-3-1): Moise Pouaty; Conner Bevans (Aaron King 79’), Sean McFarlane, Josh Phillips, Josh Suggs; Rony Argueta, Taesong Kim (Eddy Prugh 67’); Shane Malcolm, Luke Vercollone, Masta Kacher; Kevaughn Frater
Subs not used: Dan Jackson, Pascal Eboussi, Damen Marcu
Stats Summary: RM / COS
Shots: 14 / 16
Shots on Goal: 7 / 5
Saves: 5 / 5
Corner Kicks: 5 / 8
Fouls: 15 / 23
Offside: 3 / 2
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RM -- Kyle Curinga (Caution) - 21’
RM -- James Moberg (Caution) - 21’
COS -- Sean McFarlane (Caution) - 21’
RM -- Chase Minter (Caution) - 67’
RM -- Chase Minter (Second Yellow) - 71’
COS -- Kevaughn Frater (Caution) - 73’
COS -- Shane Malcolm (Caution) - 77’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
Assistant Referees: TJ Zablocki, Kali Smith
4th Official: Paul Burgess
