Defense sets tone as Monarchs tie USL record with 2-0 victory over Timbers 2

David Horst began his comeback from early season leg injury with a guest start along with Taylor Peay, Michael Gallagher and Max Lackwecki in a new defensive line which held T2 without a touch inside the defensive box for the first half of the match.

Timbers 2 goalie Kendall McIntosh has two nice saves and his defense kicked in with five more blocked shots as it appeared that the T2 defense would return the favor and stimie a sputtering Monarachs offense as well.

However the Monarchs managed to open the scoring with Sebastian Velasquez driving deep to the end line and connecting back to Andrew Brody in the six yard area for a nice redirection past the on rushing T2 keeper in the 41’.

Coming into the second half the Monarchs continued to push the pace of the game and found paydirt in the 68’ when Andrew Brodie laced a low ball through to Sebastian Valsquez who layed a nice ball off to Chandler Hoffman rather than takes his own shot.

The only scare for the Monarchs was when Charlie Adams went to ground following a shot on goal in the 78’ and immediately signaled for a substitute. He limped off under his own power and came back out to the field with a icepack on his right leg after treatment, but his condition will bear watching.

McIntosh finished the night with six saves as the Monarchs have 8 shots on goal without allowing Timbers 2 a single shot on goal for the match.

Overall Coach Mark Briggs summed it up well in his postgame comments: “It was a win. I wouldn’t say it was our best performance. I thought we were a bit sloppy at times, but good teams win games when they don’t play well, so that is pleasing.”

A week from Monday, June 19th, the Monarchs will go for a ninth straight victory and a new USL record against the suddenly red hot Reno 1868 FC lead by USL scoring leader Dane Kelly. Several Monarchs could also see some time in the upcoming US Open Xup match that RSL has on Wednesday against the Sacramento Republic.

41’ – SLC – Andrew Brody (Sebastian Velasquez)

67’ – SLC – Chandler Hoffman (Sebastian Velasquez)

Discipline

Yellow Cards

Horst – SLC – 23’

Bijev – POR – 30’

Peay – SLC – 61’

Lowe – POR – 75’

Real Monarchs SLC: (4-2-3-1) Fernandez; Lachowecki, Gallagher, Horst (Moberg 45’), Peay; Besler, Adams (Hanlin 78’); Haber (Minter 67’), Velasquez , Brody; Hoffman

Portland Timbers 2: (4-2-3-1) McIntosh; Bjornethun, Batista (Ornstil 45’), Amick, Jimenez; Lowe, Granitto; Mohamed (Brett 74’), Bijev (Calixtro 83’), Bodily; Ciccerone

Three Highlights for the Monarchs:

1. The Monarchs defense continues to improve and with five shutouts stands at second in the Western Conference.
2. The Monarchs have a positive place in the USL record book with an eight game wining streak tying the 2014 Orlando FC team.
3. Andrew Brody got a second goal to make strides in showing some offense from the right side of the field.

MEDIA

USLSOCCER.COM: Monarchs Take Eighth Straight, Down T2

RSL.COM: Monarchs Tie USL Record with Eighth Straight Victory

VIDEO: Mark Briggs Postgame