Monarchs shambolic in 2-0 loss to a hot Phoenix Rising squad.

The Monarchs initial offensive push into the Phoenix side was a microcosm of the Monarchs play throughout this match as Sebastian Vasquez came back to pick up the ball and after a nice run made a long pass to Daniel Haber on the left side. Haber’s first touch was hard leading to a turn over. A quick counter on the part of Phoenix was broken up only by Connor Sparrow who came far out of the box.

Throughout the match the Monarchs managed a great deal of possession in the own half but never seemed to effective connect on the Phoenix side of the field. As the heat map for the Monarchs shows, they were decided heavy on the right side for what has traditionally been a left-sided team and were unable to develop much pressure up the center of the field.

USLSoccer.com

The first goal for Phoenix came after a good save by Connor Sparrow following a corner kick in the 29’ which rebounded to Sam Hamilton for a easy tap in. Despite having only 5 corner kicks to the Monarchs 9, Phoenix Rising appeared the more dangerous and confident team in the set piece plays.

The insurance goal came on the first touch by Jason Johnson, the leading scorer for Phoenix, who had split the two central defenders for the Monarchs and tapped it in past Sparrow in the 73’

The final moments of the match turned increasingly nasty and the Monarchs struggled to look dangerous even when throwing all caution to the wind and attacking hard to get back into the match. This is yet another road game to forget and home looks good for the Monarchs next week against Orange Country FC.

Scoring

29’ – PHX – Sam Hamilton

73’ – PHX – Jason Johnson (Kody Wakasa)

Discipline

Yellow Cards

4’ – PHX – Gladson Awako

54’ – PHX – Amadou Dia

90+2’ – PHX – Josh Cohen

90+3’ – SLC – Danny Cruz

Real Monarchs SLC: (4-2-3-1) Sparrow; Curinga (Dunk 42’), Peay, Orozco, Lachowecki; Adams (Calvo 75’), Besler; Brody (Cruz 57’), Velasquez, Haber; Hoffman

Phoenix Rising FC: (4-2-3-1): Cohen; Wakasa, Mala, Stewart, Vasquez; Hamilton, Lambert; Riggi (Watson 91’), Awako, Dia (Drogba 85’); Cortez (Johnson 71’)

Three Highlights for the Monarchs:

1. The playoffs are still 5 matchs away.
2. With the exception of a knock to Curinga, the Monarchs made it through this match with an injury that would have only made it worse. .
3. The Monarchs have 5 more matches to get their offensive mojo back before the playoffs begin with three of those at home.

MEDIA

USLSOCCER.COM: Phoenix Continues Surge, Shuts Out Monarchs

RSL.COM: Real Monarchs Drop Points in Road Loss to Phoenix