Monarchs continue to add players for 2021

In preparation for the 2021 USL Championships season, Real Monarchs SLC are continuing to build their roster through the signing of young international players. With only James Moberg, Sam Brown and Jimmy Slayton returning from the disappointing 2020 season, the addition of more players, in addition to any RSL Academy players that should see time on the field, has been a major focus of the offseason.

New Zealand forward Max Mata (20), who primarily plays on the left wing despite being right-footed, made a single appearance with the full national team against Lithuania in 2019 while playing with Grasshoppers Club Zurich second team.

Ecuadorian midfielder Josimar Quintero (23), primarily a right-footed defensive midfielder, comes to the Monarchs from RCD Espanyol in the Spanish 2nfd Division after spending his formative years with the Barcelona Academy.

Columbian midfielder Bryan Gomez (20), almost exclusively an attacking central midfielder, has the least professional experience and comes from an established club in CDC Atletico Nacional although he has never made the field in a 1st team match.

Columbian defender Kevin Saucedo (20), a nearly 6’ 3” left-footed center back, trained with the Columbian U-20 team for Poland 2019, is joining from another storied club in Millonarios F.C.

New Zealand defender Kyle Adams (24), another left-footed central back, has spent 3 years in the US with Rio Grande Valley FC of the USL Championship. Although he had signed with the Houston Dynamo for the 2020 season, complications due to the Covid-19 pandemic left him with Rio Grand Valley.

Adams, unlike the other 4 new signings who will all be seeking to obtain P-1 visas, holds a Green Card and is a naturalized US Citizen. With the USL Players Association continuing to refuse to sign “no objection” letters for those P1 visas, the arrival of Mata, Quintero, Gomez and Saucedo could be delayed as negotiations for a CBA between USLPA and USL heat up in the economic hard times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Real Monarchs current roster as of Jan. 13

Goalkeepers: Jimmy Slayton

Defenders: Kyle Adams, James Moberg, Kevin Saucedo

Midfielders: Sam Brown, Brayan Gomez, Josimar Quintero

Forwards: Max Mata