Real Monarchs Making Roster Moves

As is the nature of life in the minor leagues, Real Monarchs SLC continue to make roster moves with one confirmed arrival and several departures on the horizon. While neither departure has been officially confirmed by the club the players themselves are a pretty reliable source. We wish all involved the best in their future endeavors.

We also have news about a former RSL and Monarchs player who has returned to the USL and honors for Monarchs, and RSL, goalkeeper David Ochoa.

OUT: Josh Heard

Originally joining the Monarchs in 2018, the 24-year-old Welshman has 38 appearances with the Monarchs scoring three goals and nabbing seven assists. A frequent starter during the later part of the 2018 season and so far in 2019, he brought an excellent pace and spirit to the front line. Just what is next for Josh and whether it will involve more professional soccer, we have no idea.

OUT: Andrew Brody

One of the longest tenured Monarchs, signing with the USL club in November of 2015 following several years at the University of Louisville, Brody started as a wing player on the right before moving back to a right fullback position. In 91 games over three and a half years with the Monarchs, he had six goals and eight assists, not bad for a guy who played all over the field. As a guiding spirit in the clubhouse and one of the players who came up through the RSL academy, you could argue he should have gotten more time with the first team. Brody is departing for Europe and where he will join FC Pinzgau Saalfelden in the Austrian third tier.

IN: Cristian Calix

A potentially promising signing, the 19 year old Honduran signed a single year deal with Atlas in Mexico earlier this year but failed to make a single appearance before coming on loan to the Monarchs. An acquaintance of current Monarch Douglas Martinez, Cristian is coming off a successful campaign with the Honduran U-20 team including 2 appearances at the recent U-20 World Cup in Poland. A right footed midfielder, Calix can play multiple positions but will likely be used in a box-to-box role with the Monarchs. His contract with Atlas expires at the end of the year leaving him free to sign directly with Monarchs if things go well.

Sebastian Velasquez

Long loved in SLC, and a Monarchs legend, Sebas has joined El Paso Locomotive, a newcomer to the USL Championship, after his previous move to the South Korean second tier didn’t pan out. Coach Mark Lowry, while the youngest head coach in USl Championship, continues to add seasoned USL players to help his side which currently sits in 5th place in the Western Conference. Assuming he can find the field quickly, Sebas could be on the field in an opponent’s uniform when the Monarchs travel to El Paso in a little over a week on July 20th.

David Ochoa

Goalkeeper David Ochoa, who finds regular minutes on assignment with the Monarchs, has been named to the 2019 MLS Homegrown Game roster. He joins DF Carlos Salcedo, DF Justen Glad, DF Danilo Acosta, MF Jordan Allen, DF Phanuel Kavita, DF Brooks Lennon, MF Jose Hernandez, DF Aaron Herrera and FW Sebastian Saucedo who have all previously represented RSL in the annual MLS Homegrown Game.