REAL MONARCHS SLC
DOUSE LIGHTS FC 2-0
MF Josh Heard Scores His First Goal for the Monarchs;
GK Jake Leeker Earns Second Consecutive Shutout in Second Start in Goal;
Monarchs Top Las Vegas in 100th Regular-Season Match Since Beginning Play in 2015
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (Saturday, May 19, 2018) – Real Monarchs SLC (8-1-1, 25 points 1 West) toppled Las Vegas Lights FC 2-0 on Saturday night in its first ever visit to Sin City. Goals from MFs Sebastian Velasquez and Josh Heard paired with another shutout performance from GK Jake Leeker helped the club remain atop the United Soccer League table.
The first half began well in favor of the Monarchs when Velasquez was gifted a chance just three minutes into the match where he calmly slotted the ball past Lights FC goalkeeper Ricardo Ferriño. In the 22nd minute Heard would tuck away his first goal in a Monarchs uniform when his breakaway found the back of the net.
The second half saw the hosts take control of the possession in an effort to get back into the match. The Monarchs nearly found a third goal in the game’s late stages when second half substitute FW
Juan Ignacio Mare
’s deflected effort nearly caught the the Las Vegas goalkeeper out of position. During a second half surge of pressure from Lights FC, Leeker – who made seven saves on the night – and the Monarchs defense stood firm to keep the 2-0 score line intact for its second consecutive shutout in the club’s
100th regular-season match
.
UP NEXT: The Monarchs will remain on the road for a May 26 matchup against Portland Timbers 2 at Providence Park. Kickoff for the match is set for 3:00 p.m. MT.
SCORING SUMMARY:
SLC: Sebastian Velasquez, 3rd minute: A misplay in the back from Las Vegas gifted the ball to Velasquez’s feet in at goal. Velasquez ran into the box 1v1 with Lights FC goalkeeper and calmly slotted home his third goal of the year.
SLC: Josh Heard (Justin Portillo), 22nd minute: A ball into space behind the Las Vegas backline by Portillo sent Heard on a streaking run in at goal. Heard calmly picked his head up to smash home his first goal for the Monarchs into the far post to double the Monarchs advantage.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
SLC: Taylor Peay, 61st minute: A chance from Lights FC midfielder Carlos Alvarez found space inside the penalty area where he looked destined to score. A last-ditch tackle from Peay kept the ball out of the net and the score at 2-0.
NOTES:
- MF Josh Heard scored his first goal in a Monarchs uniform when his breakaway effort found the back of the net in the 22nd minute.
- GK Jake Leeker made his second consecutive start for the Monarchs to earn his second shutout of the season.
- The match against Las Vegas was the Monarchs 100th regular-season match since beginning play in 2015.
Match: Real Monarchs SLC at Las Vegas Lights FC
Date: May 12, 2018
Venue: Cashman Field; Las Vegas, Nevada
Attendance: 6,810
Weather: Partly cloudy and 87 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Monarchs SLC 2 0 2
Las Vegas Lights FC 0 0 0
SLC: Sebastian Velasquez 3’
SLC: Josh Heard (Justin Portillo) 22’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs SLC (4-3-3): Jake Leeker; Andrew Brody, David Horst, Taylor Peay, Kalen Ryden; Justin Portillo, Charlie Adams, Sebastian Velasquez (Jose Hernandez, 83); Maikel Chang, Ricky Lopez-Espin (Juan Ignacio Mare, 73’), Josh Heard (Masta Kacher, 87’)
Subs not used: Jacob Jackson, James Moberg, Michael Gallagher, Chandler Hoffman
Lights FC (4-2-3-1): Ricardo Ferrino; Marco Cesar Jaime Jr. (Juan Rose Calderon, 81’), Joel Huiqui, Miguel Garduno, Marcelo Alatorre; Christian Torres, Daigo Kobayashi (Freddy Adu, 70’), Zak Drake (Julian Portugal, 62’), Matt Thomas; Sammy Ochoa
Subs not used: Angel Alvarez, Juan Herrera-Perla, Alex Mendoza, Juan Carlos Garcia
Stats Summary: LV / SLC
Shots: 26 / 8
Shots on Goal: 7 / 4
Saves: 2 / 7
Corner Kicks: 6 / 3
Fouls: 17 / 16
Offside: 1 / 1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SLC – Charlie Adams (caution) 16’
LV – Zak Drake (caution) 34’
SLC – David Horst (caution) 59’
LV – Carlos Alvarez (caution) 66’
LV – Joel Huiqui (caution) 90’+5
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Malik Badawi
Assistant Referees: Fransisco Bermudez, Adam Sanchez
4th Official: Matthew Sanchez
