Real Monarchs SLC 1-0 Phoenix Rising FC
April 7, 2018; Phoenix, Arizona; Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex
Real Monarchs SLC (3-0-0, 9 points); Phoenix Rising FC (2-1-1, 7 points)
Man of the Match: Scoring in his second consecutive match was midfielder Sebastian Velasquez. In a physical away match against a staunch Phoenix side, Velasquez took matters into his own hands in the 57th minute, scoring the go-ahead goal which proved to be the winner on the day. Velasquez now has two goals to his name in 2018, sitting tied atop the club’s scoring charts.
Telling Stat: Against Rising FC the Monarchs faced five shots on target as goalkeeper Connor Sparrow stood firm, saving all five shots on goal in the match. In the first half, Sparrow generated three top-class saves to help maintain the shutout and help the Utah club earn the victory.
What You Missed: The win in Phoenix saw the Monarchs claim its first victory in the Grand Canyon State since August 2016. Last season the Monarchs visited Arizona twice where it was held to a scoreless draw against Rising FC before closing out the season series with a 2-0 loss in mid-September. The two club’s now have an even record all-time between one another (5-5-1), with Phoenix holding a slight edge in goal differential having scored two more goals all-time against the Monarchs.
So What: With the victory over Phoenix, the Monarchs have now equaled the best start in club history which came a season ago when it won its first three matches of 2017, before dropping the fourth result of the year. The club will look to solidify the best start to a season in its history when it faces Seattle Sounders 2 on Wednesday in Tacoma. Additionally, the Monarchs have claimed its best road record to start a season, having won its first two matches away from Utah to begin 2018.
