On Saturday Real Monarchs SLC earned the first silverware in its history by claiming the 2017 USL Regular Season Championship Shield in front of 8,402 at Rio Tinto Stadium after earning a 1-1 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2. The draw and a result elsewhere ensured the Monarchs ample breathing room atop the USL Standings as the USL Playoffs near, while making Rio Tinto Stadium’s trophy cabinet a bit heavier.
Despite only tying with Vancouver, the Monarchs claimed the Shield before its match even ended as the next closest competitor, San Antonio FC, drew 1-1 with the Tampa Bay Rowdies 20 minutes before the conclusion of the match in Sandy, assuring the Monarchs championship.
Winning the USL Regular Season Championship means several things for the Monarchs. It automatically affords the club the chance at hosting every playoff game they are able to play, as well as assuring that if it reaches the 2017 USL Cup, the match will be played at Rio Tinto Stadium.
One game week remains in the 2017 Regular Season and the Monarchs have played a massive role in both the regular season and playoff landscapes before it claimed the Shield on Saturday. The Monarchs led the way in the USL for the majority of the season, paving a path for others to chase as its supremacy reigned.
With the rest of the USL Playoff seeding yet to be solidified, the Monarchs will host whoever lands in the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The Monarchs await three possible opponents as the season ends with Sacramento Republic FC, the Oklahoma City Energy and Tulsa Roughnecks FC holding the chance to land in the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Here is a look at the potential suitors for the Monarchs and the remaining matches for those teams:
Tulsa Roughnecks FC – 46 pts, 6th place in Western Conference
Playoff status: IN
Remaining match: vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks on Oct. 14
Oklahoma City Energy FC – 46 pts, 7th in Western Conference
Playoff status: IN
Remaining match: vs Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Oct. 15
Sacramento Republic FC – 45 pts, 8th place in Western Conference
Playoff status: IN
Remaining match: at Reno 1868 FC on Oct. 14
The Monarchs could potentially face any of the three teams listed above when the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs commence on Oct. 20 as the final weekend of the USL Regular Season nears. In the Monarchs last regular season contest of the year, it will play host to LA Galaxy II on Oct. 14 with a chance for fans to take pictures with the USL Regular Season Championship Shield at the RSL Team Store prior to the match.
Other teams joining the Monarchs and the aforementioned teams on the Western Conference side of the 2017 USL Playoffs include: Reno 1868 FC, Swope Park Rangers, San Antonio FC and Phoenix Rising FC with final seeding to be determined after this weekend's matches.
Tickets for the Monarchs 2017 USL Cup run will be available starting WEDNESDAY at 12:00 noon MT at the Rio Tinto Stadium box office and www.RSL.com/tickets. Tickets to the Monarchs match against LA Galaxy II can also be purchased at the Rio Tinto Stadium box office and www.RSL.com/tickets.
