Monarchs hope to return the favor against OC Blues in Rio Tinto return

It was only a week ago when the Orange County Blues narrowly defeated the Real Monarchs in Irvine, CA 1-0. The Monarchs will be hoping to return the favor Saturday night as they host the Blues at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Orange County looked the stronger team in the first half of last weeks game, and eventually got on the scoreboard in the 43rd minute.  Denzel Slager was able to put in a rebound past RMSLC goalkeeper Eric Osswald, who saved the initial shot by Chris Cortez. OC would be able to hang on to that lead in the second half despite being outshot by the Real Monarchs 15-3 in the final 45 minutes.

Real Monarchs sit at the bottom of the table in the West with a 12 points and 2-10-6 record. The Blues are 6th in the West with 27 points (8-8-3), and in the final playoff spot.

The Blues will look to stay in the playoff hunt with a number of teams challenging them for that final spot. The Monarch want keep things headed in the right direction, and continue to right the ship, and have more success in the last half of the season.

These two teams square off tonight at 7:30 p.m. MDT at Rio Tinto Stadium.