Albuquerque, New Mexico – (Saturday, April 13, 2019) – Real Monarchs SLC (2-2-2, 8 points) fell to USL Championship newcomers New Mexico United in its first visit to Isotopes Park to a 5-1 score line on Saturday night. The lone Monarchs goal came through team captain MF Jack Blake early in the first half.
The match started in strong Monarchs showing, with the Utah side claiming most of the possession in the early goings. The possession paid off through Blake as he slotted home the opening goal from a poor clearance to put the Monarchs on the board early on. New Mexico United’s Santi Moar took control for the remainder of the first half, slipping in through the gaps in the Monarchs defense to earn a hattrick in the first 45 minutes.
The second half saw a stronger fight from the Real Monarchs, as FW Kyle Coffee had two excellent chances towards goal after subbing on in the 61st minute. The first came just minutes after coming on to the field as he turned in the center of the penalty area to fire a shot, but was denied by goalkeeper Cody Mizell. Coffee rifled his second opportunity in the 74th minute but found the near post. However, New Mexico United found it’s fifth goal at in the dying moments of the second half to seal away the 5-1 result.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs returns home from its New Mexico trip to play host to San Antonio FC. The next bout is set for Saturday, April 20 where kickoff from Zions Bank Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m. MT.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
SLC: Jack Blake, 16th minute – Monarchs midfielder Josh Heard crossed the ball in early in the first half that ended at the far post where a United defender got to it first by heading it in towards center of the box. Jack Blake was there to hammer home a small volley to open up the scoring and put the Monarchs on the board early.
NMU: Santi Moar (Kevaughn Frater), 24th minute – A low cross from the corner followed by a dummy and a few deflections in the box left just enough chaos for New Mexico United’s Kevaughn Frater to get the ball into the path of Santi Moar who cleaned up, putting away his first on the night.
NMU: Santi Moar (Christopher Wehan), 28th minute – Christopher Wehan perfectly timed his run and pass to get the ball in behind the Monarchs defense to Santi Moar, who had time and space to go 1-on-1 with David Ochoa, putting away his second goal to the top of the net.
NMU: Santi Moar (Christopher Wehan), 40th minute – In a repeat performance, Wehan kept the ball low passing it towards Moar who timed his run perfectly to bring himself 1-on-1 again against David Ochoa. Moar took the low shot to put away the hattrick and further the New Mexico lead.
NMU: Kevaughn Frater (Manny Padilla), 47th minute – The long ball from outside of the 18-yard-line sent in from Manny Padilla perfectly found the head of Kevaughn Frater, who made his jump to flick in the header in the dying moments of the first half.
NMU: Christopher Wehan (Devon Sandoval), 79th minute – GK David Ochoa came far off his line to try and put a stop to the United attack early, however was out maneuvered by the tag team play of Devon Sandoval and Wehan. Wehan took advantage of the open net and put the nail in the coffin with the fifth United goal.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS
SLC: Tate Schmitt, 22nd minute: After New Mexico United took a corner kick, a shot was taken from outside the box that looked destined a quick equalizer in the far post. Schmitt covered his post expertly though to clear the ball off the goal line.
NMU: Cody Mizell, 33rd minute: Andrew Brody found the open Pablo Ruiz, who used his time to fire a rocket in for what was sure to be the Monarchs second goal. United GK Cody Mizell made the dive from the far post to just get a touch on the ball and keep the New Mexico lead going.
NOTES:
- This match is the first match between Real Monarchs SLC and New Mexico United, also marking the first match for the Monarchs in the supporter-created Four Corners Cup.
- RSL men Pablo Ruiz and Tate Schmitt both made appearances within the Starting XI.
Match: Real Monarchs SLC at New Mexico United
Date: April 13, 2019
Venue: Isotopes Park; Albuquerque, New Mexico
Attendance: 12,327
Weather: 51 and partly cloudy
Scoring Summary 1 2 F
Real Monarchs SLC 1 0 1
New Mexico United 4 1 5
SLC – Jack Blake, 16’
NMU – Santi Moar (Kevaughn Frater), 24’
NMU – Santi Moar (Christopher Wehan), 28’
NMU – Santi Moar (Christopher Wehan), 40’
NMU – Kevaughn Frater (Manny Padilla), 45’+2
NMU – Christopher Wehan (Devon Sandoval), 79’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs SLC (4-2-3-1): David Ochoa; James Moberg, Andrew Brody, Kalen Ryden, Noah Powder; Pablo Ruiz (Sam Brown, 61’), Tate Schmitt, Maikel Chang (Masta Kacher, 61’), Josh Heard, Jack Blake; Lionel Abate Etoundi (Kyle Coffee, 61’)
Subs not used: Adam Henley, Konrad Plewa, Evan Finney
New Mexico United (4-4-2): Cody Mizell; Justin Schmidt, Rashid Tetteh, Josh Suggs, Manny Padilla; Christopher Wehan, David Estrada, Santi Moar (Tommy Madden, 84’), Juan Guzman, Toni Soler (Saalih Muhammad, 76’); Kevaughn Frater (Devon Sandoval, 75’)
Subs not used: Ryan Williams, Sam Hamilton, Benjamin Beaury, Austin Yearwood
Stats Summary: SLC/NMU
Shots: 13 / 13
Shots on Goal: 4 / 8
Saves: 2 / 3
Corner Kicks: 7 / 6
Fouls: 6 / 11
Offside: 1 / 4
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SLC – Josh Heard (Caution) 45’+2
NMU – Josh Suggs (Caution) 45’+2
NMU – Saalih Muhammad (Caution) 90’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Ricardo Robledo-Grajeda
Assistant Referees: Eduardo Jeff, Xavier Chavez
4th Official: Marc Laws
