As Real Monarchs SLC begin the home portion of 2018 at Rio Tinto Stadium, we're taking a look at all the game information and what you need to know about the visitors from Oregon.
Real Monarchs SLC vs. Portland Timbers 2
March 31, 2018; Rio Tinto Stadium
1:00 p.m. MT; KMYU TV, 960 AM Sports, RealMonarchs.com
Real Monarchs SLC (1-0-0, 3 points); Portland Timbers 2 (1-1-0, 3 points)
Player to Watch – Timbers 2 forward Augustine Williams has notched both of the team’s two goals this season, putting a spotlight on the youthful Sierra Leone native. Williams has showcased pace going forward and his technical ability in the box. If you combine that with the ability to finish in front of goal and confidence on the ball, he becomes a threat up top. Having a pair of goals in his pocket early in the season makes Williams a threat inside the area for the Monarchs.
All-time record – The Monarchs lead the all-time series against Timbers 2 having earned a 3-2-3 (12 points) record and an overall goal differential of zero. The Monarchs have seemingly been dominant when playing at home with two of their three wins in the series coming at Rio Tinto Stadium. The match-up between the two marked a historical occasion at Rio Tinto Stadium on June 10th as the Monarchs topped T2 to tie the all-time consecutive win record at 8. The last time these two clashed it ended in a 0-0 draw at Providence Park last September.
Last Five Overall – Sitting 1-1-0 through two matches in 2018, Timbers 2 has both a win and a loss on their résumé to start the 2018 season, both of which came by a one goal margin. T2 fell 2-1 in its season opener against Seattle Sounders 2 on opening weekend. Portland were the first on the score sheet in the 30th minute by way of Augustine Williams, only to allow two goals within a minute before the half. Portland’s 1-0 win over Colorado Springs in Week 2 rectified Week 1’s result with Williams notching the late winner in Colorado Springs. With an extra game under their belt early in the season, Portland Timbers 2 will look to play spoiler against the Monarchs at Rio Tinto Stadium.
