Real Monarchs 1 vs. 0 Sporting Kansas City IIJuly 16, 2022; Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman, Utah
Real Monarchs (2-12-2, 8 points); Sporting Kansas City II (7-7-2, 23 points)
Midfielder Leo Torres
On team morale after two-consecutive home wins:
“It’s very exciting. It's a blessing today, just another win. Of course [Benjamin Rodriguez] got his first goal. I was really excited for the form in the first half technically. We were all focused during the game and going into the half and coming out of it. I was just so happy.”
On individual performance:
“In the first half, I did really well with the ball. I just tried to look around and find where the spacing was at. I’d try to get the ball; if not, I’d move to an open space and drag a player with me. I felt I did really well with the ball and put in a lot of work. In the second half, I felt I was playing well, but unfortunately I got a cramp in my left calf and I had to go out. Abokye [Bikyeombe] and Pierre [Reedy] came in and put in a lot of work in the middle to finish out the game.”
On what is different compared to beginning of the season
“It feels a lot different. Mentally, we are more focused. Technically, we are smarter with the ball. We are starting to find where the spaces are and finish out games. I feel like we are a lot smarter with the ball and playing better because of it.”
Forward Benjamin Rodriguez
On his goal:
“I’m really content with my performance today, scoring the goal and getting the team some more points.”
On his performance in the game:
“It’s the training day-by-day that’s just helped me get better everyday and gain my rhythm. That’s helped me be a lot happier, and I’m really pleased with my performance today.”
On his increased confidence:
“The ball didn’t want to go in, but it finally did. The coaches help me a lot with that and my positioning. They demand a lot from me.”
Head Coach Jamison Olave
On the second home win in a row:
“The feelings are pretty good. You can see happiness just walking around. The team is very happy after the tough season that we have been having until now. Getting two wins in a row, that’s a release. That’s a good release for the players. They know that we have been working hard to get the result. In the past, we didn’t get it, but we are getting it right now and that’s a good spark.”
On Benjamin Rodriguez:
“He was more active. He was coming from high, deep, he was coming from wide, inside. He was working inside. We can see when he has scored that there was good movement in behind that I can play that ball. That is something that he has been trying to improve. We have been training on that, we have been talking. We know the quality that he has, but he has to adapt to the game. It’s taking a little longer, but it looks like he’s moving forward.”
On the second shutout:
“It’s pretty good. The backline was pretty solid. Jazi [Jaziel Orozco], Golden [Mafwenta], Marcus [Vasquez], Bret [Halsey], they were pretty solid. [Christian] Nydegger played a good role right in the middle for the backline, but it was from the whole team pressing from the front. Axel [Kei] was good, I think the pressing was pretty good. He won a couple of balls in the first half, we would go forward trying to score, but we didn’t score. But going back to the defensive side, I think everyone was good.”
