Early Hoffman goal leads Monarchs to 1-0 victory over Orange County SC

Taylor Peay received a second start in place of the suspended Kyle Curinga from a sweaterless Coach Mark Briggs, but it was Chandler Hoffman and Charlie Adams who stole the early highlights as they combined to score a beautiful goal about 55 seconds into the match.

Although the Monarchs continued to look dangerous off interceptions and breakouts for the rest of the first half, Orange County goalie Charlie Lyon easily kept the ball out of the net and the game close. It was the Monarch’s defensive work and effort however, that that drew from the home commentators on how effectively they were able to funnel the Orange County attack off to the sides and deny them movement up the center of the field despite their large lead in time of possession.

Deep in first half stoppage time a rather questionable foul call lead to an Orange County penalty kick. Conner Sparrow showed he has been watching and listening to others in the RSL camp with a nice block and coverup on a the Jerry Van Ewijk effort to preserve the 1-0 lead.

The second half continue much the same with even better saves from Lyon to continually deny the Monarchs a comfortable lead. The Monarchs defense however, was up to the task and preserved the single goal lead for the required 94 minutes.

With the win the Monarchs move to the top of the Western Conference together with San Antonio FC at 30 points. The first tie breaker is total victories which leaves the Monarchs in 1st Place and on top.

Next Saturday they return home to face the Portland Timbers 2 where they will attempt to tie the USL record for consecutive victories set by Orlando City SC in 2014.

Scoring

1’ – SLC – Chandler Hoffman (Charlie Adams)

Discipline

Yellow Cards

Fernandes – OC – 10’

Gallagher – SLC – 45+1’

Desire – SLC – 90+1’

Real Monarchs SLC: (4-2-3-1) Fernandez; Lachowecki, Moberg, Gallagher, Peay; Besler, Adams; Haber (Minter 62’), Velasquez (Hanlin 90-5’), Brody; Hoffman (Desire 83’)

Orange County SC: (4-2-3-1) Lyon; Meeus, Wbias, Navarro, Franco; Pineda (Alvarez 69’), Chaplow; vam Ewijk, Villalobos (Pineda 57’), Elim (Stevanovic 38’); Fernandes

Three Highlights for the Monarchs:

1. The Monarchs can safely say that their defense has arrived after a defensively driven game and another shutout.
2. The Monarchs were able to avoid the bad passes in their own end that led to the loss against Orange County in preseason.
3. Taylor Peay won praise for his performance at right back and looks more than ready to challenge for a regular starting assignment in the defense.

MEDIA

USLSOCCER.COM: Monarchs Continue to Roll, Down OCSC