HERRIMAN, Utah – (Saturday, April 20, 2019) – Real Monarchs SLC (3-2-2, 11 points)claimed a 3-2 victory over San Antonio FC on Saturday evening at Zions Bank Stadium, seeing the Utah club claim its first victory over SAFC since 2016.
The Monarchs triumphed over San Antonio FC courtesy of two penalty conversions from MFs Maikel Chang and Jack Blake as well as a game winning header from FW Kyle Coffee.
In a tale of two halves, San Antonio FC slotted away two goals early in the first half through Brian Gomez who rifled home an open ball before following it just 10 minutes later with a simple tap in after slipping past GK Evan Finney to double the lead. The Monarchs responded with a fight however, sending in a barrage of chances towards San Antonio FC goalkeeper Matthew Cardone, who came up big multiple times to keep the 2-0 lead going into the half.
The match turned heated in the second half as the Monarchs put away three answered goals. The first two came from the penalty spot as the Monarchs earned a kick from the spot before Coffee was taken down just 10 minutes later in his attacking run. Chang and Blake both smoothly converted the two penalties to level out the scoring. The game winner came from Coffee, who picked up his first goal with a headed effort at the far post.
The Monarchs remain undefeated at home with its win over San Antonio FC, moving to a record of 3-0-1 in 2019.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs SLC return to the road to play another 2019 expansion team as it makes its first trip to Bold Stadium in Austin, Texas to take on Austin Bold FC. The matchup is set for a 6:30 p.m. MT kickoff and can be watched live on ESPN+.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
SA: Brian Gomez, 6th minute – A poor pass in the Monarchs defensive third left the ball wide open at the top of the penalty area, gifting Gomez with an opportunity. Gomez quickly struck, rifling a shot to the top left that Evan Finney was just short of getting a touch on.
SA: Brian Gomez (Walter Restrepo), 17th minute – A forward ball from Restrepo put Gomez in behind the Monarchs defense with space to make a run in towards goal. Finney came off his line to shut out the attacking play but was rounded, leaving the net open for Gomez for an easy tap in to pick up his brace.
SLC: Maikel Chang (PK), 48th minute – After a foul in the penalty area brought James Moberg down in the box, Maikel Chang went to the spot and rifled in his shot to convert the penalty.
SLC: Jack Blake (PK), 56th minute – Some creative passing put Kyle Coffee in with a chance for goal but was brought down within the penalty area resulting in another penalty opportunity for the Monarchs. Jack Blake took to the spot and smoothly converted the penalty to bring the match level.
SLC: Kyle Coffee (Douglas Martinez), 72nd minute – With time and space down the left side of the pitch, Douglas Martinez took his opportunity to put in the cross to the far post where Kyle Coffee expertly took the header to give the Monarchs the lead for the first time in the match.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS
SA: Matthew Cardone, 33rd minute: Maikel Chang slipped a pass in through heavy San Antonio traffic to reach Josh Heard on the other side. Heard took the opportunity quickly, firing the shot on goal but was denied by San Antonio GK Matthew Cardone.
SA: Matthew Cardone, 34th minute: an excellent pass from near the 6-yard box in the penalty area, gifted Douglas Martinez with an open net and a shot on goal. Martinez took the opportunity, but Cardone came up big again with a dive and a fingertip touch to keep the ball out of the net.
NOTES:
- Real Monarchs remain undefeated at Zions Bank Stadium, moving to a 3-0-1 home record.
- With the three unanswered goals, Real Monarchs triumphed over San Antonio FC for the first time since 2016.
- After coming in as a sub during the half time break, Kyle Coffee notched his first professional goal as well as the game winner to put away the match.
- GK Evan Finney made his professional debut in the match against San Antonio, starting and playing the full 90 minutes.
Match: Real Monarchs SLC v San Antonio FC
Date: April 20, 2019
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium; Herriman, Utah
Attendance: 1,711
Weather: 68 with an overcast
Scoring Summary 1 2 F
Real Monarchs SLC 0 3 3
San Antonio FC 2 0 2
SA – Brian Gomez, 6’
SA – Brian Gomez (Walter Restrepo), 17’
SLC – Maikel Chang (PK), 48’
SLC – Jack Blake (PK), 56’
SLC – Kyle Coffee (Douglas Martinez), 72’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs SLC (4-2-3-1): Evan Finney; James Moberg, Andrew Brody, Kalen Ryden, Noah Powder; Jack Blake, Tate Schmitt (Kyle Coffee, 46’), Maikel Chang (Konrad Plewa, 87’), Josh Heard (Masta Kacher, 46’) Jordan Pena; Douglas Martinez
Subs not used: Lionel Abate Etoundi, Sam Brown, Todd Morton, Steve Jasso
San Antonio FC (3-4-3-): Matthew Cardone; Ebenezer Ackon, Joshua Yaro, Moises Hernandez, Kai Green; Michael Lahoud (Rafa Castillo, 85’), Jack Barmby, Lance Laing (Cristian Parano, 75’), Brian Gomez, Walter Restrepo; Bradford Jamieson (Billy Forbes, 60’)
Subs not used: Johnathan Viscosi, Pascal Eboussi, Leo Torres
Stats Summary: SLC/SA
Shots: 22 / 6
Shots on Goal: 9 / 3
Saves: 1 / 6
Corner Kicks: 8 / 1
Fouls: 9 / 17
Offside: 3 / 9
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SA – Moises Hernandez (Caution) 47’
SA – Michael Lahoud (Caution) 57’
SA – Walter Restrepo (Caution) 58’
SLC – Jordan Pena (Caution) 62’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Malik Badawi
Assistant Referees: David Rozek, Wendell W. Ashby
4th Official: German Hortal
