Monarchs and Timbers 2 end in a scoreless draw

Despite numerous chances neither side manages to find the back of the net in a wet 0-0 match.

By David Cheever@Takeyabue Sep 10, 2017, 12:30am MDT

Despite the creation of a number of excellent chances by both squads it was the errors that created the most anxiety in what was basically a quiet defensive game. Monarch players took several early spills on the wet turf of Providence Park and have difficulty stringing any type of position together. Portland appeared to have found an opening goal in the opening minutes of the match only to have it called off by the linesman for offside. Late in the first half, Daniel Haber had an excellent chance off a thrown in but Wade Hamilton alertly came out from goal and broke up the play.

Despite a large lead in shots and shots on goal for the entire match, Portland found its best chances in the second half through Connor Sparrow miscues. A long chip caught Sparrow far up the field, but Giovanni Calixtro couldn’t get in on the empty goal. Another high ball came down in the 6 yeard box and went right through Sparrow’s hands, but he managed to collect it quickly on the bounce.

To his credit Sparrow also had a couple of nice saves which kept the game tied as the Monarchs offense began to press late with the arrival of Sebastian Velasquez on the field. However, despite taking over momentum late the Monarchs could not find a winner and walked off the field after a scoreless draw.

Discipline

Yellow Cards

9’ – SLC – James Moberg

42’ – POR – Harold Hanson

63’ – SLC – Sebastian Velasquez

67’ – POR – Kyle Bjornethun

71’ – PRO – Augustine Williams

Real Monarchs SLC: (4-2-3-1) Sparrow; Curinga, Moberg, Peay, Lachowecki; Adams (Calvo 76’), Besler; Brody (Velasquez 58’), Haber, Cruz (Minter 82’); Hoffman

Portland Timbers 2: (4-4-2): Hamilton; Hanson, Tuiloma, Batista, Bjornethun; Cicerone, Zambrano, Granitto (Ornstil 81’), Mohamed; Calixtro, Williams

Three Highlights for the Monarchs:

The Monarchs avoided giving up an early goal and managed to get their legs under them in the second half.
Sebastian Velasquez provided a great spark coming on as a substitute early in the second half. .
Despite the draw, the Monarchs maintained the 7 point lead in the Western Conference as both San Antonio and Reno also ended up with draws this weekend..