On Saturday, April 13, Real Monarchs SLC will journey south of the Utah border for its first visit to Isotopes Park to play expansion side, New Mexico United in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The first clash between the Monarchs and New Mexico United is also the Utah side’s first match in the newly created supporter cup – The Four Corners Cup.
The Four Corners Cup is a collaborative effort between the supporter groups from Real Monarchs, New Mexico United, Phoenix Rising FC, and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. The cup was named after the unique geographical oddity where four states share a common border.
“The Four Corners Cup is cool because the idea was created by the supporters,” Robert from the Wasatch Legion said. “It wasn’t a team driven thing which is really important for us. It’s not like we are trying to build rivalries that weren’t there before but it’s just something that’s like ‘hey, here are a few games during the season. Let’s have some fun.’”
The tournament is played in a round-robin style format, where the team who picks up the most points in the games against each other throughout the season takes home the cup. So far this season, Real Monarchs is the only team that has yet to play. The other three participants played to even ties with Phoenix Rising FC being the only team to have played two games playing both to draws with New Mexico United and Switchbacks FC.
<p>GP</p> |
<p>W</p> |
<p>T</p> |
<p>L</p> |
<p>Points</p> |
<p>GD</p> |
|
<strong>Phoenix Rising FC</strong> |
<p>2</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>2</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>2</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<strong>Co. Springs Switchbacks FC</strong> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<strong>New Mexico United</strong> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<strong>Real Monarchs SLC</strong> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>0</p> |
Robert likened the Four Corners Cup to the Rocky Mountain Cup Real Salt Lake holds with Colorado Rapids. “Over the past decade or so we see the players really get into it,” Robert said referring to the Rocky Mountain Cup. “When we win the cup they are celebrating as much as we are, they are holding that trophy up. I hope the Monarchs can get to that point. I hope we can win and just keep it.”
Real Monarchs Team Captain Jack Blake says the team already feels pride in the new cup. “It’s a fanbase cup,” Blake said. “We want to win every game, but this one is a special game. We want to take pride in that and make our fans proud. We want to bring it home, back to Salt Lake City.”
The bout between Real Monarchs and New Mexico United will take place on Saturday, April 13 from the New Mexico home of Isotope Park. Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m. MT and can be watched live on ESPN+.
