Real Monarchs turn the tables with 5-2 victory over Colorado Springs Switchbacks in early rematch.

RSL favorite Tony Beltran, making his return from an extended injury, was the only change in Coach Mark Briggs starting 11 for the rematch against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks Saturday evening. Following their by now well established policy of applying high pressure early, the Monarchs dominated play and possession in the early moments but were unable to find the first goal.

The Switchbacks once again were the first to strike when Michael Gallagher was shown the yellow card for handling the ball on a corner kick and a penalty kick was awarded in the 25’. Conner Sparrow went down and made a nice leg save on Aaron King’s strike from the spot, but Josh Suggs was able to knock the rebound home.

However, unlike the early match in Colorado Springs, the Monarchs were able to answer quickly as Daniel Haber found Chandler Hoffman in front of goal on a nice low cross five minutes later in the 30’. Hoffman made a clean strike which left Pouaty no chance and tied the score at 1-1.

The first half ended with the score still tied 1-1 and the Monarchs left the field have had 70% of the possession in the opening half.

Andrew Curinga came on for Beltran who had a good 45 minutes for the second half and the Monarchs quickly established control once again. This half, however, saw the Monarchs rewarded their efforts as Velasquez took a long through ball from Haber down the left side in the 51’ minute. Nearing the end line Seba noticed that Pouaty was move out to cover the cross and made a fantastic strike behind the goalie to give the Monarchs a 2-1 lead.

Three minutes later Haber found Hoffman on another low cross from the left side and Chandler buried it for his sixth goal of the season and gave the Monarchs a 3-1 lead.

And then another three minutes later Velazquez refused to be outdone and got his second goal of the match on a great strike for a 4-1 lead.

The match became a bit nervy when Gallagher pulled a streaking Kevaugn Frater down to break up a good rush by the Switchbacks in the 63’ and was shown a second yellow and ejected from the game.

However, Colorado Springs was unable to capitalize on the man advantage as Taylor Peay came in for Chandler Hoffman and stabilized the back line.

It was Daniel Haber who netted the Monarchs final goal in the 83’ on a arcing shot high into the nets right just before being replaced by Jonel Desire.

Former Monarch, Kevaughn Frater, closed the scoring when he put a nice header into the net past a slowing Monarchs defense which gave him a clear run to goal in the 87’

The Monarchs will travel to Vancouver for their next match on Sunday and then Orange County the following Saturday before returning home to face Portland Timbers 2 on June 10th.

Scoring

25’ – COS – Josh Suggs

30’ – SLC – Chandler Hoffman (Daniel Haber)

51’ – SLC – Sebastian Velasquez (James Moberg)

54’ – SLC – Chandler Hoffman (Daniel Haber)

57’ – SLC – Sebastian Velasquez

83’ – SLC – Daniel Haber (Andrew Brody)

87’ – COS – Kevaughn Frater (Masta Kacher)

Discipline

Yellow Cards

Gallagher – SLC – 24’, 63’

Burt – SAC – 71’

Real Monarchs SLC: (4-2-3-1) Sparrow; Lachowecki, Gallagher, Moberg, Beltran (Curinga 45’); Besler, Adams; Haber (Desire 84’), Velasquez , Brody; Hoffman (Peay 68’)

Colorado Springs Switchback FC: (4-3-3) Pouaty; Suggs, Phillips, Eboussi (Bevans 73’), Burt; Prugh, Argueta, Perez; Malcolm (Frater 58’), King (McFarlane 63’), Kachar

Three Highlights for the Monarchs:

1. Despite giving up the first goal and going down to 10 men in the 2nd half the Monarchs seemed in control from start to finish finishing with 63% of the possession.
2. Conner Sparrow had a big save on the initial Aaron King penalty king even through the rebound was knocked in by Suggs.
3. 8 of the 12 Monarchs shots were on goal and 5 found the back of the net.

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MEDIA

USLSOCCER.COM: Monarchs Romp Past Switchbacks

RSL.COM: Highlights

RSL.COM: Monarchs beat Colorado, 5-2

RSL.COM: Quote Sheet: Monarchs v Colorado 5/20/17