Real Monarchs Sign Three for 2018 USL Season

Real Monarchs SLC today expanded their 2018 roster by three with the signing of midfielders Justin Portillo and Maikel Chang and defender David Diosa. All three signings are pending United Soccer League and Federation approval.

“In a competitive market that is the USL, we feel very fortunate to have landed these men this offseason,” Monarchs assistant General Manager Dan Egner said of the new signings.

Both Portillo and Chang come from USL side Charleston Battery where they helped the Battery to a second-place finish in the Eastern Conference during the 2017 regular season.

Portillo, a 25-year old native of New Orleans, LA with dual US and El Salvador citizenship comes to Utah after spending the last four seasons with the Battery where he played more than 2000 minutes and scored 6 goals for each of the last three seasons. Justin had 33 starts during the 2017 USL regular season and earned USL All-League Second team honors. A right footed player, Portillo spent most his time was spend in the central midfield with occasional appearances on the right side.

“Portillo comes to us from Charleston with an opportunity to shine in a new environment,” Egner said. “We think his leadership will come through on and off the field.”

A 26-year-old native of Havana, Cuba, Chang joins the Monarchs after five seasons with the Charleston Battery during which time he scored 14 goals and also appeared for more than 2000 minutes for the last 3 seasons. During the 2017 season he lead the Battery with 10 assists and 57 key passes to go along with Portillo’s 63 – good for the second most minutes on the Battery roster. Left-footed Maikel made 28 starts in 2017 operating on the right side of the midfield in Charleston’s typical 4-4-2 alongside Portillo.

“Chang is a proven commodity in this league and he fits the age range we’re trying to grow and progress at the club,” Egner explained. “He’s had success every year wherever he’s playing and he brings that leadership going forward that will really benefit us on the attack.”

A native of Medellín, Colombia, 24-year-old Diosa comes to the Monarchs from the New York Cosmos where he has spent the past 5 season. Hampered by injuries he has been only a spot starter and his only season with more than 1000 minutes was the 2016 season where he made 11 starts and 24 appearances.

“Diosa is a player we’ve had our eye on for a very long time. We tried to land him last season but it didn’t pan out so we’re excited to have him now,” Egner said. “He’s come back from his injury really well and the style and energy he’ll bring to the side will be incredibly valuable.”

After today’s signings, the Real Monarchs roster stands as follows:

Goalkeepers: (1) Andrew Putna

Defenders: (3) Michael Gallagher, James Moberg, David Diosa

Midfielders: (7) Danny Cruz, Charlie Adams, Karsten Hanlin, Sebastian Velasquez, Andrew Brody, Justin Portillo, Maikel Chang

Forwards: (2) Chandler Hoffman, Juan Mare