Real Monarchs SLC Fall to Reno 1868 FC in Second Match of Preseason Trip
Reno’s Tommy Thompson Converts 89th Minute Penalty to Down Monarchs; Utah Club Turns Focus to Saturday’s Preseason Match Against Fresno FC
RENO, Nevada (Wednesday March 7, 2018) – Real Monarchs SLC played its second match in five days as it visited regional United Soccer League rival Reno 1868 FC, falling to the hosts 1-0 courtesy of a late penalty kick. The Monarchs fielded two different lineups on either side of halftime, with the majority of players playing 45 minutes in front of 2,114 in attendance at Greater Nevada Field.
The match was decided in the game’s final minute when 1868 FC earned a late penalty kick after a player was judged to have been dragged down during a corner kick. Reno’s Tommy Thompson calmly stepped up to deliver the spot kick, sending GK Connor Sparrow the wrong way for the game’s only goal.
The first half of action saw both sides generate chances through the run of play, with the Monarchs placing two shots on frame through MF Sebastian Velasquez and Maikel Chang but their efforts were corralled easily by the goalkeeper. On the defensive side, the Monarchs absorbed set piece pressure from 1868 FC not allowing the hosts to trouble Sparrow in goal.
The second half saw 1868 FC generate more chances as it tried to find the game’s go-ahead goal. The second group for the Monarchs pressured the Reno goal with the best chance coming in the 70th minute when MF Jose Hernandez fired a shot towards the near post, but his effort was held well by the goalkeeper.
The Monarchs will close out its preseason trip to California on Saturday when it faces USL newcomers Fresno FC at the University of Davis. Kickoff is slated for 3:00 p.m. MT.
REAL MONARCHS SLC 0-1 RENO 1868 FC
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2018
RENO, NEVADA
Goals by Period1 2 F
Real Monarchs 0 0 0
Reno 1868 FC 0 1 1
Scoring Summary:
RNO: Tommy Thompson (PK)
Lineups:
Real Monarchs SLC: First Half: Connor Sparrow; Andrew Brody, Nick Besler, Konrad Plewa, Lyes Mezine; Justin Portillo, Corey Baird, Sebastian Velasquez, Maikel Chang, Ricky Lopez-Espin; Juan Ignacio Mare
Second Half: Connor Sparrow; Rhys Williams, Konrad Plewa, Michael Gallagher, David Diosa; Charlie Adams, Karsten Hanlin, Josh Heard, Jose Hernandez, Lyes Mezine; Chandler Hoffman
