Real Monarchs SLC 4 vs Phoenix Rising FC 1
July 28, 2018; Herriman, Utah; Zions Bank Stadium
Real Monarchs SLC (14-5-2, 44 points); Phoenix Rising FC (11-5-5, 38 points)
Man of the Match: Monarchs midfielder Maikel Chang was a dangerous thorn in the right flank of Phoenix Rising FC. Having already picked up an assist on the opening goal with Sebastian Velasquez, Chang also earned an indirect goal through a Phoenix defender after his cross into the six-yard area deflected into the net for the insurance goal before halftime. Chang completed 73.1% of his passes and even made a few clearances on the defensive side of the ball, playing a pivotal roll on the right side of the pitch.
Telling Stat: 85.1. Real Monarchs had an 85.1% passing accuracy, a number that played a part in attributing to the dominating victory over Phoenix. With the movement of the ball, the Monarchs kept the ball away from its opponent, possessing 61.7% of the game while creating plenty of chances that attributed to the final scoreline.
What You Missed: In heated battle for Western supremacy, Sebastian Velasquez opened up the game’s scoring with his fourth goal in three games. Both Velasquez and Chandler Hoffman – who also picked his 7th goal of 2018 – now lead the team with 7 goals apiece in 21 appearances throughout 2018. Real Monarchs kept their home territory unblemished, notching another win at Zions Bank Stadium. After ten games at home, the Monarchs now sit on a home undefeated streak of 9-0-1 this season, eight of those being in their new Herriman fortress.
So What: With the final stretch of the 2018 season just around the corner, the Monarchs have positioned themselves comfortably at the top of the Western Conference table with a six point lead over second place Phoenix Rising FC. The 44 points earned by the Monarchs also places them level with FC Cincinnati in the race for the 2018 USL Regular-Season Championship. With long rest after this bout, Real Monarchs will turn its attention to the rematch against Reno 1868 FC to pull further from the pack and aim to use the home field advantage and stay in the race for a back-to-back regular-season championship. Kick off from Zions Bank Stadium is set for August 8 at 8:00 p.m. MT.
