Monarchs victorious over Sacramento Republic at home

Real Salt Lake sends large group down to get game minutes

With the current break in MLS matches, Real Salt Lake decided to take advantage of the Monarchs and gave six players (Andrew Putna, Ashtone Morgan, Douglas Martinez, Erik Holt, Justin Portillo and Maikel Change) their first start this season with the Monarchs this season. Milan Iloski, who had two previous appearances with the Monarchs, was also named to the starting 11 and Bode Davis came on at halftime as a substitute.

Among the Monarchs’ USL players Sam Brown, Jaziel Orozco, Malik Johnson and Timi Sobowale rounded out the starting 11, while Kyle Adams and Ibrahim Bance got a few late minutes off the bench.

Match Overview

Milan Iloski nearly scored off a nice low pass into the center from Douglas Martinez during a 2 man counterattack in the 2 minute as the Monarchs came out pushing hard from the start. Twenty minutes later it was once again Iloski, assisted by Justin Portillo, with a hard line drive that powered past the Republic goalkeeper for a 1=0 Monarchs lead. In the 31st minute Putna needed to stretch out fully to tip a shot by Petteri Pennanen off the left post and keep Sacramento scoreless. Iloski took a slow roller off Maikel Chang and got his brace with a quick flip 1-on-1 past the goalkeeper for a 2-0 halftime lead.

The second half saw the swirling wind play an increasingly dominant role. In the 60th minute a bouncing ball into the box jumped up to make contact with Putna’s arm which resulted in a rare indirect free kick for Sacramento from the Monarchs’ six yard box. All eleven Monarchs lined up on the goal line and rushed forward as the ball was contacted. Putna atoned with a nice save off the eventual shot and the second half ended without additional scoring.

3 Takeaways

1. Maikel Chang’s assist was his 38th during USL play which moved him up to second all time in the USL Championship and only a single assist behind the top spot held by Kenardo Forbes who has played for the Rochester Rhinos and Pittsburg Riverhounds.
2. Despite allowing Sacramento 63 percent of possession and nearly 200 more passes, the Monarchs were the only side to record shots on goal (5) with a vigorous counterattack throughout the match.
3. The Monarchs conceded only 10 fouls through this match which is only one above the season low of 9 recorded on the road in Austin. Three yellow cards were awarded to the Monarchs, but all went to RSL players (Portillo, Iloski, and Martinez).