REAL MONARCHS SLC BEAT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC 2, 3-1
MF Masta Kacher Notches Brace;
Monarchs Solidify Best-Ever Start to a Season, Opening with a 4-0-0 Record;
Utah Club Moves Into Top Spot in the Western Conference
TACOMA, Washington (Wednesday, April 11, 2018) – Real Monarchs SLC (4-0-0, 12 points, West 1) toppled Seattle Sounders FC 2 at Cheney Stadium, 3-1 courtesy of two goals from MF Masta Kacher with FW Chandler Hoffman adding a third goal.
The Monarchs opened the scoring just four minutes into the match when Kacher rifled a curling effort into the top corner of the Sounders net for the early 1-0 lead. Sounders 2 answered back with a goal of its own in the 19th minute when forward David Estrada slammed home a second attempt chance from a corner kick to even the match. The remainder of the first stanza would see the teams trade possession around midfield, with each team unable to find the go-ahead goal to solidify the 1-1 halftime score.
The second half started physically with both teams trading fouls in the early going. The Monarchs found the go-ahead goal in the 65th minute when FW Ricky Lopez-Espin found the feet of Kacher inside the penalty area who’s curling effort found the back post for his second goal of the match.
Second half substitute FW Chandler Hoffman notched the game’s third goal and his second of the season when his shot from ten yards found the underside of the crossbar before hitting the back of the net to finalize the scoreline.
UP NEXT: The Monarchs will travel to Tampa Bay, Florida for an April 21 bout against Eastern Conference heavyweight Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium. Kickoff for the match against the Rowdies is set for 5:30 p.m. MT.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
SLC:Masta Kacher (Jose Hernandez), 4th minute: A botched clearance inside the penalty area from S2 found the feet of Monarchs midfielder Jose Hernandez who did well to find the feet of Kacher. Kacher lined up a curling effort with a first-time strike that clipped the underside of the crossbar on its way into the top corner.
SEA: David Estrada, 19th minute: A low corner kick driven in by S2 skipped off the wet ground through traffic in the penalty area to the feet of Estrada. Monarchs goalkeeper Andrew Putna saved the initial attempt but at the second time of asking Estrada slammed the ball home for the equalizing goal.
SLC: Masta Kacher (Ricky Lopez-Espin) 65th minute: A cross from Monarchs midfielder Josh Heard found the chest of Lopez-Espin who brought the ball down well to find Kacher’s feet. Kacher again hit the ball with his first touch, finding the top corner and his second goal of the match.
SLC: Chandler Hoffman (Sebastian Velasquez) 77th minute: Monarchs midfielder Sebastian Velasquez found space after streaking to the endline where he elected to pass the ball back to Hoffman. Hoffman hit the ball first time and off the crossbar and in for his 49th career goal.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
SLC: Andrew Putna, 71st minute: S2 midfielder Alex Roldan found space with the ball inside the penalty area where he elected to strike a shot himself. Putna’s quick reactions kept Roldan off the score sheet, as his fingertip save pushed the danger out for a corner kick.
NOTES:
- RSL man Ricky Lopez-Espin earned his first ever start as a professional as he started, earning an assist in 70 minutes played.
- Head Coach Mark Briggs made seven changes to the lineup that topped Phoenix Rising FC 1-0 last Saturday.
- Masta Kacher notched his first and second goals for the Monarchs after just four minutes against S2 when his two curling efforts found the top corner on the net and the early lead.
- Chandler Hoffman scored his 49th career goal in the 77th minute of the match against S2.
Match: Real Monarchs SLC at Seattle Sounders FC 2
Date: April 11, 2018
Venue: Cheney Stadium; Tacoma, Washington
Attendance: 2,090
Weather: Rainy and 51 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Monarchs SLC 1 2 3
Sounders 2 1 0 1
SLC: Masta Kacher (Jose Hernandez) 4’
SEA: David Estrada 19’
SLC: Masta Kacher (Ricky Lopez-Espin) 65’
SLC: Chandler Hoffman (Sebastian Velasquez) 77’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs SLC (4-3-3): Andrew Putna; Andrew Brody, James Moberg, Michael Gallagher, Kalen Ryden; Justin Portillo, Charlie Adams, Jose Hernandez (Sebastian Velasquez, 66’); Josh Heard, Ricky Lopez-Espin (Chandler Hoffman, 70’), Masta Kacher (Richard Ledezma, 82’)
Subs not used: Connor Sparrow, Konrad Plewa, Karsten Hanlin, Maikel Chang,
Sounders 2: (4-2-3-1): Bryan Meredith; Jordy Delem, Blake Malone, Tony Alfaro, Jake Morris; Dylan Tevas, Cam Martin (Felix Chenkam, 77’), Azriel Gonzalez, Henry Wingo (Alex Roldan, 46’), Ray Serrano (Nick Hinds, 63’); David Estrada
Subs not used: Sam Fowler, Sam Rogers, Ray Saari
Stats Summary: SEA/SLC
Shots: 5 / 11
Shots on Goal: 4 / 4
Saves: 1 / 3
Corner Kicks: 5 / 0
Fouls: 13 / 13
Offside: 5 / 2
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SLC – Charlie Adams (caution) 49’
SLC – Sebastian Velasquez (caution) 88’
SEA – Felix Chenkam (caution) 90’+2
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Alan Kelly
Assistant Referees: Seth Martin, Corbyn May
4th Official: Chad Stewart
