Monarchs go down to 10 men but hold on for 2-0 victory over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

The Monarchs welcomed Taylor Peay, Nick Besler and Andrew Brody back into the starting lineup and received immediate dividends when a wide open Peay headed down a 2’ corner kick which Chandler Hoffman deflected past Moise Pouaty for the Monarchs earliest goal this season.

Following the early goal play evened out with both sides seeing plenty of the ball and creating chances until the 14’ when an onrushing James Moberg headed home another corner kick off the foot of Charlie Adams to give the Monarchs a 2-0 lead.

At that point play turn a turn and became chippy with lots of called and uncalled fouls and three yellow cards were handed out in the 21’ amid much confusion on the side of the officiating crew. Things stayed chippy through the rest of the first half and thanks to several good saves by both goalkeepers the teams went to the locker room at 2-0.

Both teams came out willing to mix it up and the chippy play continued into the second half with several visits from both training staffs. Shortly after receiving a yellow card in the 67’, Minter went down and after being attended by the trainer went off the field. Seconds later, after apparently being waved back onto the field by the fourth official, Minter received a pass. Play was immediately stopped by the referee who came over and showed Minter a second yellow and a red leaving the Monarchs down a man in the 72’.

Momentum immediately shifted over to the Switchbacks who began to threaten. In the 77’ Taylor Peay took down his mark down in the box and a penalty kick was awarded. Masta Kacher took the kick but was denied as Connor Sparrow once again stopped a penalty kick and slowed the Switchbacks momentum.

The game ended with the Switchbacks have advantages in most all statistical categories but the one which counted as the Monarchs scored their 16th victory of the season and stayed undefeated at home with a 10-0-1 record at Rio Tinto.

Goals

2’ – SLC – Chandler Hoffman (Taylor Peay)

14’ – SLC – James Moberg (Charlie Adams)

Discipline

Yellow Cards

21’ – SLC – Kyle Curinga

21’ – SLC – James Moberg

21’ – COS – Sean McFarlane

67’ – SLC – Chase Minter

71’ – SLC – Chase Minter (ejected)

73’ – COS – Kevaughn Frater

77’ – COS – Shane Malcolm

Real Monarchs SLC: (4-2-3-1) Sparrow; Curinga, Moberg, Peay, Lachowecki; Besler, Adams; Brody (Haber 66’), Hernandez (Desire 80’), Minter; Hoffman (Milne 88’)

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: (4-3-3) Pouaty; Bevans (King 79’), McFarlane, Phillips, Suggs; Vercollone, Argueta, Tae-Seong (Prugh 66’); Malcolm, Frater, Kacher

Three Highlights for the Monarchs:

1. The Monarchs made it through a very chippy game with lots of ugly tackles without any apparent injury.
2. Chandler Hoffman’s 14th goal kept him within 1 of league Golden boot leader Dane Kelly. .
3. The Monarchs defense notched their 7th clean sheet of the season with Connor Sparrow having five.

MEDIA

USLSOCCER.COM: Monarchs Shut Out Switchbacks

RSL.COM: Chandler Hoffman with the flick!

RSL.COM: Moberg Goal