HERRIMAN, Utah (Saturday, March 16, 2019) – Real Monarchs SLC (0-0-2, 2 points)opened the home portion of the 2019 season with a 0-0 draw against El Paso Locomotive FC on Saturday afternoon.
The match saw both sides trade possession through the middle of the park in the early going as each team sought its rhythm in the game. The first strong opportunity for the Monarchs came early on in the first half, as MF Maikel Chang took a free kick that clanked the upright of the goal before landing near FW Tate Schmitt, whose attempt to sneak in the first goal ended just over the bar. The Monarchs were forced to play the remainder of the match a man down after DF Kalen Ryden earned a red card in the 32nd minute.
Down a man, the Monarchs brought a fight to El Paso, playing compact defensively and finding opportunities to apply pressure around the El Paso box. GK David Ochoa put stops to the Locos attack, making a massive nine saves throughout the match to hold the clean sheet. On the attacking front, MF Ricardo Avila found an opportunity in the second half, rifling a shot that looked destined for the opening goal, but was barely denied by El Paso goalkeeper, Logan Ketterer.
Neither side was able to find a winner as the match ended scoreless, seeing the Monarchs earn a second consecutive tie to begin 2019.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs will host LA Galaxy II at Zions Bank Stadium in a week’s time, on Saturday, March 23rd. The afternoon kickoff in Herriman is set for 1:00 p.m. MT.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS
SLC: David Ochoa, 33rd minute: El Paso earned a free kick from Kalen Ryden’s foul just outside the box, which they took aimed for the far top corner. Ochoa easily stepped in to pick it out of the air.
SLC: David Ochoa, 67th minute: After a give away in the defensive 18 provided El Paso with an opportunity for an attack, Ochoa was able to make a massive save to catch a fast shot in towards goal.
SLC: Noah Powder, 73rd minute: Noah Powder helped secure the Monarchs goal as the Locomotives offense put pressure in the attacking third. The Texas team crossed the ball into the box, but Powder jumped high to make the clearance with a clearing header.
SLC David Ochoa, 92nd minute: Ochoa made another big save in the dying seconds of the match as he was able to dive to clear out a headed effort towards goal after a crossed ball to the far post nearly found the net, but ultimately was able to secure the clean sheet and the points for the Monarchs.
NOTES:
- Noah Powder, Damian German and Tate Schmitt added their names to the list of Monarchs debuts, donning the Monarchs jersey for the first time.
- GK David Ochoa made nine saves, earning his first clean sheet of the season.
Match: Real Monarchs SLC vs El Paso Locomotive FC
Date: March 16, 2019
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium; Herriman, Utah
Attendance: 1,320
Weather: 50 degrees and sunny
Scoring Summary 1 2 F
Real Monarchs SLC 0 0 0
Sacramento Republic FC 0 0 0
Lineups:
Real Monarchs SLC (4-2-3-1): David Ochoa; Erik Holt, Noah Powder, Kalen Ryden, Andrew Brody; Luis Palma (Masta Kacher, 25’), Tate Schmitt (Stanley Okumu, 38’), Maikel Chang, Ricardo Avila, Jack Blake; Douglas Martinez (Damian German, 84’)
Subs not used: Jordan Pena, Evan Finney, Josh Heard, James Moberg
El Paso Locomotive FC (4-4-2): Logan Ketterer; Bryam Rebellon, Mechack Jerome, Andrew Fox, Chiro N’Toko; Yuma Monsalvez (Nick Ross, 59’), James Kiffe (Josh Castellanos, 70’), Sebastian Contreras, Derek Gebhard; Richie Ryan, Omar Salgado
Subs not used: Louis Herrera, Edson Partida, Jermaine Fordah, Navarro, Calvin Rezende
Stats Summary: SLC/ELP
Shots: 5 / 17
Shots on Goal: 1 / 9
Saves: 9 / 1
Corner Kicks: 2 / 8
Fouls: 13 / 10
Offside: 1 / 5
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SLC – Kalen Ryden (Eviction) 32’
SLC – Douglas Martinez (Caution) 73’
SLC – Jack Blake (Caution) 92’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Lukasz Szpala
Assistant Referees: Daniel Spicer-Escalante, David Rozek
4th Official: Brad Jensen
