Real Monarchs start fast and survive nervy ending in Langley with 2-1 victory.

Without any players coming down from parent Real Salt Lake, Coach Mark Briggs stayed with the current Monarchs starting 11 with the exception of Taylor Peay getting his first start for the Monarchs in place of suspended Michael Gallagher. The Whitecaps started with a mixed squad as several younger players got starts in place of veterans who had figured in the Canadian Championship match earlier this week.

The Monarchs were able to take control from the first kick and quickly exposed the inexperience of the youthful Whitecaps when a 7’ corner kick from Charlie Adams was kept in play by Nick Besler whose header found Taylor Peay right in front of goal for a excellent finish and a 1-0 lead.

The Monarchs continued to force play and maintain pressure on the Vancouver defense but goalie Paolo Tornaghi proved up to the task making several excellent saves.

Another corner by Adams found a wide open Besler in the 22’ whose header increased the lead to 2-0.

Tempers erupted in the 28’ following a collision between Lalo Fernandez and Thomas Sanner in the Monarchs box. Kyle Curinga appeared to take a poke at Sanner while on the ground, but no call was made by the official on the pitch.

The first half stats ended totally lopsided in favor of the Monarchs who had 14 shots with 7 on goal and 8 corners while the Whitecaps failed to record either a shot or corner in the half.

Following what must have been an inspiring half time conversation and two substitutions the Whitecaps came out a new team in the second half and played the Monarchs evenly if not a bit more. However, their first shot on goal did not come until the 78’ minute when a through ball from Nicolas Apostol found Terran Campbell behind the Monarchs back line which was attempting a offside trap. Campbell made a nice finish past Fernandez pulling the Caps back within 1 and setting up a nervy finish.

When all was said and done, however, the Monarchs extended their winning streak to a record six games and maintained pace just 2 points behind equally hot San Antonio FC for top in the Western Conference. They were also able to maintain a 12 point lead of the next closest team in the standings in 3rd place.

Scoring

6’ – SLC – Taylor Peay (Nick Besler)

22’ – SLC – Nick Besler (Charlie Adams)

78’ – VAN – Terran Campbell (Nicolas Apostol)

Discipline

Yellow Cards

Fernandez – SLC – 28’

Sanner – VAN – 28’

Milne – SLC – 86’

Real Monarchs SLC: (4-2-3-1) Fernandez; Lachowecki, Peay, Moberg, Curinga; Besler, Adams; Haber (Milne 82’), Velasquez (Hanlin 88’), Brody; Hoffman (Minter 72’)

Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2: (4-2-3-1) Tornaghi; Thoma, Seymore, Zator, Serban; Norman (Metcalfe 45’), Gardner; Campbell, Amanda (Bartman 45’), Chung (Apostol 73’); Sanner

Three Highlights for the Monarchs:

1. The Monarchs put on a dominating offensive performance in the first half and demonstrated why they lead the league in goals scored with 27.
2. The Monarchs were able to limit Vancouver to 2 shots on goal for the entire match
3. Skyler Milne was able to get minutes for the first time since playing for a single minute in the opening match against Portland Timbers 2 and Chase Minter made his first appearance since the April 22nd match against Sounders 2 after an extended injury.

MEDIA

USLSOCCER.COM: REAL HOLDS ON LATE FOR 2-1 VICTORY AFTER OUTSTANDING FIRST HALF PERFORMANCE

RSL.COM: Monarch Run Winning Streak to Six Straight Matches

WHITECAPSFC.COM: 18-year old Terran Campbell opens pro account but WFC2 fall short 2-1 to Real Monarchs SLC (with Highlights)