Real Monarchs SLC 1 at Portland Timbers 2 2
May 29, 2019; Portland, Oregon; Providence Park
Real Monarchs SLC (3-6-3, 12 points); Portland Timbers 2 (6-2-4, 22 points)
Man of the Match: Defender Konrad Plewa came up big for the Monarchs throughout the night, helping to shut down an aggressive Portland offense and attempted opportunities towards goal. Plewa nearly found the opening goal in the 13th minute with his diving header that just missed the mark from a corner kick. Through the night, Plewa cut out the Timbers 2 attack, protecting an open net on one occasion and using his height to get in the way of long balls to stop the potent offense.
Telling Stat: 31. Throughout the night the Real Monarchs defense made an outstanding 31 clearances to limit a dangerous Portland Timbers 2 attack. Paired with the combined 23 tackles and 11 interceptions, the defensive play kept the game alive in the second half to give the Monarchs a fighting chance at finding the equalizer in its attempt to steal a point away from Providence Park.
What You Missed: The Monarchs fell in a 2-1 result as Portland Timbers 2 leveled out the all time series between the two sides, moving the record to 4-4-3. FW Douglas Martinez tallied a late first half goal as he his one-touch shot perfectly found the far corner to give the Monarchs a lead in the break. Portland responded with a second-half rally to notch two goals and cut out a Monarchs offense to walk away with the three points from Providence Park.
So What: Ahead of this weekend’s action in the USL Championship, the Monarchs hold on to its spot on the Western Conference table with 12 points and being 15th in the West. The result in Portland continues the winless skid moving the Monarchs to four losses in its last five games and still without a full three points away from Zions Bank Stadium in 2019. The Monarchs now return home to Herriman in a week’s time to host Rio Grande Valley FC on Saturday, June 8th for Pups at the Pitch night.
