Real Monarchs expanded its roster by five in the last week with signings that come a wide range of backgrounds and playing experiences. The slew of young talent each brings a unique perspective on the pitch ahead of the 2019 USL Championship Season. These signings come in the form of Damian German, Noah Powder, Douglas Martínez, Ricardo Ávila, and Lionel Abate Etoundi
Defensive Midfielder Ricardo Ávila comes to the Utah side on loan from Panamanian club CD Universitario, off the back of the international stage. Ávila was called to represent the Panamanian Men’s National Team in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where he played for a total of 105 minutes against Tunisia and England. Previously, Ávila was featured on the Panamanian U-20 team where he scored four goals. Ávila began his career with Chorillo of Liga Panameña de Fútbol, making 31 appearances and scoring five goals. The young Panamanian will be a key piece in the Monarchs strong midfield.
Damian German was the first to be inked under the Monarchs banner and has roots with RSL. The 22-year-old midfielder played in the RSL Academy where, as a senior, he tallied 31 in goals within 40 matches, earning the honor as the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s leading scorer. When his tenure at the RSL Academy came to end, German continued to play at the collegiate level for Grand Canyon University and San Diego State University, scoring 11 goals in 53 appearances and 5 goals in 18 appearances respectively. German is creative with his passing and footwork, and has proven to be clinical center of the goal, providing a dangerous attacking element to the Monarchs front.
Defender Noah Powder, 20, comes to the Monarchs from the 2018 Western Conference leaders Orange County SC where he helped in not only scoring a few goals but was an important piece as a left back in securing the highest goal differential in the West. Powder is certainly no stranger to the USL where he started in 2016 at New York Red Bulls II alongside now Monarchs Defender Konrad Plewa, assisting the Eastern Conference team to the 2016 USL Cup. Among his accolades in the USL, Powder brings with him international experience having played for the Trinidad and Tobago U-17s and U-20s making a total of 13 appearances and notching four goals between the two.
Forward Douglas Martínez, a 21-year-old Honduran international, heads to the Monarchs from the Honduran club C.D.S. Vida, where he played for a total of four years in two stints, totaling three goals in 1,230 minutes. The young forward played a season on loan at New York Red Bulls II in 2017, played alongside Noah Powder, earning one goal in 485 minutes and making him no stranger to the USL. Martínez also carries international experience having played with the with Honduran U-20 National team.
Forward Lionel Abate Etoundi joins the Real Monarchs with impressive performances on the international level. This 18-year-old striker has already made multiple appearances for the Cameroon National team at the U-17, U-20, and U-23 level beginning in 2015. In 2018, Etoundi spent the most time with the U-23 team making the greatest impact while representing his country. Etoundi is set to provide another key piece on the Monarchs attack in its hunt for the USL Cup.
Real Monarchs SLC will open its fifth campaign in the USL Championship when it faces Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday, March 9. A week later, the Monarchs will return home to hose expansion side El Paso Locomotive FC at Zions Bank Stadium on March 16, the venue in which the Monarchs recorded a league-best home record of 13-2-2 in 2018. 2019 Season Tickets are on sale now at RealMonarchs.com.
