DAVIS, California (Friday March 9, 2018) – Real Monarchs SLC is set to close out its preseason venture to California when it faces United Soccer League newcomer Fresno FC on Saturday. The match will be played at Aggie Soccer Field on the campus of the University of Davis with kick off set for 3:00 p.m. MT.
The match will be the Monarchs second match in four days after playing to a 1-0 loss at regional rival Reno 1868 FC on Wednesday night at Greater Nevada Field. An 89th minute penalty kick converted by 1868 FC midfielder Tommy Thompson earned the result for the hosts as the Monarchs fell for the first time in preseason. Against Reno, 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 third and final match of the Monarchs preseason trip, the Utah side will finish its three games in ten days swing when it faces Fresno.
Fresno FC boasts a roster that features former Tulsa Roughnecks FC and 2017 USL All-League Second Team standout Juan Pablo Caffa and USL veteran Alejandro Covarrubias who spent the previous four seasons with LA Galaxy II. In the Foxes match last Sunday, it earned a 1-1 draw with Sacramento Republic FC thanks to a second-half equalizer from Caffa.
Set to begin its inaugural regular-season next week at home against fellow USL expansion side Las Vegas Lights FC, Fresno FC is led by head coach Adam Smith, formerly the top assistant coach at Sacramento Republic FC. Adding experience to Fresno’s front office staff is former Major League Soccer Coach of the Year and two-time MLS Cup winner Frank Yallop who resides as the club’s general manager.
There will be no live stream for the match against Fresno, but postgame reaction and recap from the match will be available at RSL.com.
The Monarchs will open its 2018 regular-season slate against Tulsa Roughnecks FC in Week 2 of competition, having received a bye week during opening weekend. Prior to its match against Tulsa, the Monarchs will cap its preseason with a match against Utah Valley University at 4:00 p.m. MT on March 16 at the Zions Bank Training Center in Herriman, Utah.
