Monarchs cruise through Sounders Academy squad to 4-1 victory

The Seattle Sounders 2 fielded an academy heavy side with 7 of their starters 16 years-old or younger on Saturday night in a contrast of philosophies between RSL and the Sounders. For the 2017 season RSL has committed to fielding a winning USL squad as well as a developmental home base for it’s young prospects. Seattle seems content to just providing a place for it’s younger developmental prospects to see playing time.

Once again Head Coach Mark Briggs was forced to start without the two offensive leaders for the Monarchs as Sebastian Velasquez (out with a hamstring injury) and Charlie Adams (ankle injury) out of the game day 18 man squad due to injury. However, three guest players on loan from RSL made the start with Reagan Dunk at right back in place of Kyle Curinga, Ricardo Velazco on the right wing and Bofo Saucedo as a second forward behind Chandler Hoffman.

The Monarchs were in complete control for nearly the entire match and able to attack at will with pretty much any player they wished. A look at the Monarchs’ touch map below might leave you confused as to which side they were defending. Hint: the Monarch’s goal was the one on the left while the bulk of their touches are on the right.

USLSoccer and OPTA

The game was halted in the 68’ for lighting and weather. When the game resumed after a substantial delay the Monarchs offense seemed to degenerate into a let’s give _______ a shot and see what he can do affair. In addition a sloppy bit of getting back on defense saw 18 year-old Paul Rothrock get his first professional goal and break up the clean sheet.

Once all is said and done, however, the Monarchs emerged with a victory and extended the home winning streak to 10 straight matches. The Monarchs are also moved into a tie with Reno 1868 FC for the goals scored this season at 40 and sole possession of the conversion rate lead at 22%. They also now have 6 of the 45 points Coach Briggs is said to desire for the final 17 matches of the season.

Even with Charlie Adams and Sebastian Velasquez both looking to return to the team in time for the Texas road swing in two weeks, look for much tougher matches to come as the Monarchs face second place San Antonio at Toyota Field and a Rio Grand Valley side that is currently just out of the playoffs at H-E-B Park in Edinburg.

Scoring

31’ – SLC – Sebastian Saucedo (Chandler Hoffman)

40’ – SLC – Chandler Hoffman (Reagan Dunk)

45+’ – SLC – Max Lachowecki (Chandler Hoffman)

73’ – SLC – Sebastian Saucedo (Karsten Hanlin)

77’ – SEA – Paul Rothrock (David Olsen)

Discipline

Yellow Cards

8’ – SEA – Christian Koontz

79’ – SEA – Kei Tonozawa

Real Monarchs SLC: (4-4-1-1) Sparrow; Dunk, Moberg, Gallagher, Lachowecki; Velazco, Hanlin; Besler (Peay 45’), Minter (Lennon 77’); Saucedo; Hoffman (Milne 63’)

Seattle Sounders 2 FC: (4-4-2) Fowler; Ramos, Brisco, Grant, Koontz; Bimbe-Renken (Rothrock 67’), Teves, Martin (Ragen 63’), Santiago (Tomozawa 78’); Olsen, Chavez

Three Highlights for the Monarchs:

1. Chandler Hoffman continued to shine with another goal and two assists and seemed very comfortable working with Velazco and Saucedo.
2. Riggs Lennon saw the field for the first time this season leaving the Monarchs without a player yet to make an appearance.
3. Conner Sparrow continued to shine in the box although he was forced into only 3 saves on the night although a clean sheet would have been nice.

MEDIA

USLSOCCER.COM: Monarchs Too Much For S2