Monarchs continue youth movement in 2-0 loss to LA Galaxy II

RSL Academy Players Continue To Feature

With the suspension of Chris Garcia due to a red card in San Antonio, a midfield starting spot against LA Galaxy II opened up. After two substitute appearances with the Monarchs during the 2020 season, 17-year-old Christian Nydegger received his first professional start. joining fellow Academy players Jaziel Orozco and Daniel Flores who started for the second time. Academy players Pearse O’Brien, Griffon Dillon and Abel Mendoza also all came on as second half substitutes. The remaining starters were identical to those who started last week in San Antonio; Jeffrey Dewsnup, Bode Davis, Max Mata, Sam Brown, Malik Johnson, Ibrahim Bance, Kyle Adams and captain James Moberg. Aris Briggs also came on as a second half substitute for Nydegger.

Match Overview

The Monarchs struggled to move forward offensively in the first half and once again fell behind early despite a large home crowd. Kai Koreniuk sent a left footed line drive in from the six yard box which left Dewsnup little chance to give Los Dos a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute. The Monarchs attempted to push forward in response but began to accumulate fouls and failed to establish any rhythm or effective possession. Then just before halftime another miscommunication allowed Preston Judd in behind the defensive line and he easily beat Dewsnup 1-1 for a 2-0 LA Galaxy II lead.

Two bang bang saves by Dewsnup very early in the second half kept the Monarchs in the match and offered hope along with four substitutes with fresh legs, but growing frustration with the continual stoppage due to foul calls kept the Monarchs from establishing any type of rhythm or dangerous opportunities. The second half finished scoreless and the Monarchs were left without a goal in their home opener.

3 Takeaways

1. The Monarchs once again had a high passing accuracy of 75.3% with 54.4% accuracy in their opponent’s half. Unfortunately the Galaxy were marginally better in the attacking half, and although each team has five shots on goal Los Dos managed to put two into the back of the goal. The Monarchs are not giving the ball away, but continue to struggle to make their possession effectual.
2. The match had 38 total fouls, but unlike the match with San Antonio which had 39 total fouls (19 on San Antonio and 20 on the Monarchs), 26 were called against the Monarchs and only 12 against Los Dos. The inexperience of the Monarchs came into play as they visibly began to lose their composure and became frustrated along with a large partisan crowd. There were more fouls called against the Monarchs, but they were nearly all for cause and plenty of opportunity was given to the referee.
3. The experience of LA Galaxy II who effectively played with five, and at times in the second half with a two goal lead, with 6 in the midfield which completed clogged the Monarchs forward movement and allowed them to quick move forward and press in the Monarchs’ half. This approach is common with many of the Monarchs’ Mountain Division rivals and the experience should help the Monarchs to better compete through the 2021 season.