REAL MONARCHS SLC TOP TULSA ROUGHNECKS FC 3-2
TO OPEN 2018 SEASON
Adams Scores 90th Minute Game Winning Goal After Entering as a Second Half Substitute;
Monarchs Remain Undefeated in Season-Opening Matches;
Club Returns to Face Portland Timbers 2 on March 31 to Open Home Portion of 2018 Schedule
TULSA, Oklahoma (Saturday, March 24, 2018) – Real Monarchs SLC (1-0-0, 3 points, T-West 5) topped Tulsa Roughnecks FC 3-2 to begin its 2018 regular-season campaign, courtesy of a 90th minute strike from MF Charlie Adams. The Monarchs now own a 3-0-1 (10 points) record in season-opening matches.
The match got off to a furious start for the Monarchs when they scored just seven minutes in the match when MF Maikel Chang found the head of MF Corey Baird who headed home the season’s first goal. The Monarchs controlled the opening stanza throughout, winning possession in the attacking third while limiting the Roughnecks to just one look at goal GK Alex Horwath’s goal.
Through the first 15 minutes of the second half, TRFC forced the Monarchs into its own defensive third, eventually finding the equalizer in the 62nd minute when Joaquin Rivas tapped home a low cross at the back post.
After Tulsa found the go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute with Rivas notching his second, the Monarchs stormed back and found goals from Hoffman and Adams in the 89th and 90th minutes respectively. The Monarchs found the winner through Adams who’s right-footed shot through traffic in front of goal beat Tulsa goalkeeper Fabián Cerda.
UP NEXT: The Monarchs will open the home portion of its 2018 schedule next Saturday March 31 at Rio Tinto Stadium when it hosts Portland Timbers 2 at 1:00 p.m. MT.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
SLC:Corey Baird (Maikel Chang), 7th minute – Swift passing saw MF Maikel Chang with the ball at his feet on the right flank. Chang cut back on his left foot, finding time cross the ball to MF Corey Baird who’s headed effort at the back post coolly found the inside of the near post.
TUL: Joaquin Rivas (Michael Gamble), 62nd minute – Tulsa midfielder Michael Gamble saw the ball fall to his feet near the corner of the penalty area. Gamble drove toward the end line, firing a low cross towards the far post where Rivas was waiting to tap home from inside the penalty area.
TUL: Joaquin Rivas (Riggs Lennon), 83rd minute: Again TRFC attacked down the flank as a cross found the head of Tulsa striker Riggs Lennon who’s initial header was saved by Monarchs GK Alex Horwath. On the second attempt, Rivas slammed home his second goal of the match from close range.
SLC: Chandler Hoffman (Maikel Chang), 89th minute: A ball played across the box from Maikel Chang found the feet of Hoffman who’s first attempt was botched but his follow-up was poked home for the equalizing goal.
SLC: Charlie Adams, 90th minute: With Maikel Chang again playing provider, the ball found the head Corey Baird who nodded the ball back across the face of goal. A failed clearance from Tulsa fell to the feet of Adams who’s right footed shot skipped through traffic and found the back of the net.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
TUL: Enrique Montano, 27th minute – Monarchs FW Chandler Hoffman broke down the left flank and attempted to cut in and cross the ball just inside the penalty area. Montano did well to read Hoffman’s intentions and slid well to block the effort away for a corner.
SLC: Michael Gallagher, 60th minute: A cross into the Monarchs penalty area from the left flank look destined to find the head of two possible Roughnecks at the back
NOTES:
- Justin Portillo and Maikel Chang made their club debuts after being signed from the Charleston Battery during the offseason.
- Six players in the starting lineup for the Monarchs are currently signed with Real Salt Lake’s first team. Alex Horwath, Adam Henley, Nick Besler, Danny Acosta, Pablo Ruiz and Corey Baird started the match, while three more players – Connor Sparrow, Jose Hernandez and Ricky Lopez-Espin – started the match on the bench for the Monarchs.
- The Monarchs now own a 3-0-1 (10 points) record in the season opening matches since 2015.
Match: Real Salt Lake at Tulsa Roughnecks FC
Date: March 24, 2018
Venue: ONEOK Field; Tulsa, Oklahoma
Attendance: 5,203
Weather: Sunny and 70 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Monarchs SLC 1 2 3
Roughnecks FC 0 2 2
SLC – Corey Baird (Maikel Chang) 7’
TUL – Joaquin Rivas (Michael Gamble) 62’
TUL – Joaquin Rivas (Riggs Lennon) 83’
SLC – Chandler Hoffman (Maikel Chang) 89’
SLC – Charlie Adams 90’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs SLC (4-3-3): Alex Horwath; Adam Henley (Kalen Ryden, 77’), Nick Besler, Michael Gallagher (Ricky Lopez-Espin, 85’), Danilo Acosta; Justin Portillo, Pablo Ruiz (Charlie Adams, 52’), Sebastian Velasquez; Maikel Chang, Corey Baird, Chandler Hoffman
Subs not used: Connor Sparrow, Josh Heard, Jose Hernandez, Masta Kacher
Tulsa Roughnecks FC: (4-2-3-1): Fabian Cerda; Enrique Montano, Adrian Jusino, Caludio Munoz, Paris Gee; Michael Binns (Josh Morton, 78’), Ivan Mirkovic, Michael Gamble, Fernando Arce (Eti Tavares, 84’), Joaquin Rivas; Jhon Pirez (Riggs Lennon, 67’)
Subs not used: Chase Gentry, Santiago Maidana, Christian Rodriguez
Stats Summary: TUL / SLC
Shots: 7 / 22
Shots on Goal: 3 / 6
Saves: 3 / 1
Corner Kicks: 5 / 12
Fouls: 11 / 10
Offside: 6 / 0
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
TUL – Jhon Pirez (caution) 47’
SLC – Corey Baird (caution) 48’
TUL – Ivan Mirkovic (caution) 65’
TUL– Riggs Lennon (caution) 69’
TUL – Paris Gee (caution) 76’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Michael Cap
Assistant Referees: Matt Trotter & Wade Beall
4th Official: Roy Robinson
