Real Monarchs stand firm to beat Republic 2-0 and remain perfect at home in 2017

Monarchs cap a 6 point week with a 2-0 shutout victory over Sacramento Republic as Haber and Velazquez score.

By David Cheever@Takeyabue May 14, 2017, 12:44am MDT

Coach Mark Briggs decided to remain with the same starting 11 he selected last Wednesday in Carson against the Galaxy and was rewarded a second time as they emerged from a chippy defensive struggle 2-0 victors. Despite holding only 39.4% of the possession, the Monarchs managed to put 5 shots on goal and connect with 2 of them while limiting the Republic to just 2 shots on goal.

Sacramento created the first good chance of the game in the 6’ winning a free kick from about 25 yards out but Danny Barrera’s left-footed shot was snagged cleanly out of the air by Conner Sparrow.

Several good chances for the Monarchs followed but it wasn’t until the 39’ when Max Lackowecki took the ball down the left flank and drove a ball across the box to Andrew Brody that they stayed on target. While Brody’s strike was blocked by Sacramento’s goalie, Evan Newton, the rebound went straight to Daniel Haber who punched it in from short range for a 1-0 halftime lead.

The 47’ minute very nearly saw the Monarchs double their lead when Chandler Hoffman made a nice turn after receiving a ball from Brody only to see it gathered up by Newton.

James Kiffe has the Republic’s only other shot of goal just a minute later, but it was also cleanly saved by Conner Sparrow.

In the 58’ minute Hoffman sprang Sebastian Velasquez who raced up field with the final defender for about 40 yards and then neatly slotted his shot home across the goal and out of the reach of an onrushing Newton to make the score 2-0.

.@usainbolt + @nusr_ett + @Cristiano = @TiaN_Futbol ! @RealMonarchs double their lead over @SacRepublicFC! #SLCvSAC #SaltBae pic.twitter.com/yl1V6XcyY1
— USL (@USL) May 14, 2017

Brodie added two more shots on goal as the second half wound on but both were easily picked up by Newton who finished the night with two saves.

Both Jonel Desire and Emmanuel Ocran saw time in the second half providing fresh legs and gaining valuable experience. Karsten Hanlin also came on for a second appearance in the waning moments of the match.

Following the match Coach Briggs praised the squad’s effort on defense calling it their best performance of the season and a sign of growth as a team.

The Monarchs remain at home for the next match facing the Colorado Springs Switchbacks, the only team to defeat the Monarchs so far in the 2017 season, on Saturday, May 20th.

Scoring

39’ – SLC – Daniel Haber

58’ – SLC – Sebastian Velasquez (Chandler Hoffman)

Discipline

Yellow Cards

Moberg – SLC – 26’

Caesar – SAC – 29’

Adams – SLC – 72’

Haber – SLC – 72’

Sparrow – SLC – 90+1’’

Kiffe – SAC – 90+3’

Real Monarchs SLC: (4-2-3-1) Sparrow; Lachowecki, Gallagher, Moberg, Curinga; Besler, Adams; Haber (Hanlin 84’), Velasquez (Ocran 82’), Brody; Hoffman (Desire 77’)

Sacramento Republic FC: (4-4-2) Newton; Kiffe, Christian, James, Klimenta; Blackwood, Cazarez, Hall, Barrera; Caesar (Hord 45’), Ochoa

Three Highlights for the Monarchs:

The Monarchs Finish a busy week with two shutouts and a full six points.
Daniel Haber scored his first goal for the Monarchs.
The Monarchs pull back to within 2 pts of first place San Antonio FC with a game in hand..