HERRIMAN, Utah (Sun., Sept. 20, 2026) — Real Monarchs (8-15-5, 33 pts, 11th West) defeated Ventura County FC (14-7-7, 53 pts, 3rd West) by a 2-1 scoreline in its 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season finale at Zions Bank Stadium.
Head Coach Mark Lowry made three changes to the starting XI for the final match of the MLS NEXT Pro campaign, with Gio Villa, Ruben Mesalles and Nico Silva entering the lineup. Logging 90 minutes in the win, Mesalles finished the season as the Monarchs’ minutes leader, with 2,008 played across 25 matches this year.
With both sides’ fates determined prior to kickoff - Real Monarchs knowing its 2026 campaign was over whilst Ventura County FC had clinched a top-four seed for the Western Conference postseason, a deliberate match unfolded. In the waning moments of the first half, Real Monarchs put together its most promising attack of the half. Scrapping for a loose ball, Ewald poked it down the touchline, winning his duel against VCFC defender and captain Sebastian Hernandez, before finding Utah native Zach Lifferth atop of the box, the newcomer laying a simple ball to an onrushing Nico Silva, who buried the finish first-time to open his professional goalscoring account.
Seeking an equalizer, the visitors came out of the break aggressively, imposing their will by creating two clear-cut chances, one in the 56th minute that was dismissed by Monarchs GK Max Kerkvliet, and the other in the 61st minute, ricocheting off the far post. Kerkvliet logged six saves in the Monarchs finale, concluding his second professional season.
As the Ventura County defensive unit failed to claim a long cross into the box by DF Hayden Sargis in the 87th minute, Monarchs attacker Owen Anderson claimed the loose ball and poked it across the line, adding necessary insurance to the Monarchs lead.
Down late but still fighting, VCFC found its first and only goal of the night, scoring in the 95+ minute to spoil Kerkvliet's clean sheet.
SLC 2 : 1 VCFC
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
SLC: Nico Silva (Zach Lifferth) 45+1’ — Salvaging a misplaced pass Felix Ewald poked the ball around the VCFC defender before racing down the touchline battling for possession. Ultimately bodying his mark off the ball Ewald drove into the 18-yard-box finding Zach Lifferth who proceeded to lay a simple ball off to an incoming Nico Silva who buried the strike first time.
SLC: Owen Anderson (unassisted) 87’ — As the Ventura County defensive unit failed to claim a long cross into the box by DF Hayden Sargis, Owen Anderson claimed the loose ball poking it across the line.
As the Ventura County defensive unit failed to claim a long cross into the box by DF Hayden Sargis, Owen Anderson claimed the loose ball poking it across the line.
VCFC: Jeremi Djieze (unassisted) 90+5’ — After a long inswinging cross came into a crowded box, the first VCFC headed attempt struck the post, claiming the rebound Djieze tapped it in.
LINEUPS:
Real Monarchs (4-4-2): Max Kerkvliet ©; Gio Villa (Hayden Sargis, 68), Dylan Kropp, Ruben Mesalles, Linkon Ream; Issac Murphy, Liam O’Gara (Izzy Amparo,76), Owen Anderson (Chance Cowell,90+2), Nico Silva (Rylan Hashimoto, 76); Felix Ewald, Zach Lifferth (Lionel Djiro, 68)
Subs not used: Diego Rocio, Luis Rivera, Handwalla Bwana, Trace Alphin
Ventura County FC (0-0-0): Sebastian Conlon; Sebastian Hernandez ©, Palmer Bank (Riley Dalgado, 64), Enrique Martinez (Jose Luis Magana Jr, 64), Mason Vanney; Vicente Garcia (Gabriel Arnold, 73), Luis Mueller (Christian Vanney, 73), Brett Phan, Daniel Ittycheria, Eric Preston (Jeremi Djieze, 80); Julian Placias
Subs not used: Arnau Vilamitjana, Will Walker
Stats Summary: SLC / VCFC
Shots: 4 / 16
Shots on Goal: 2 / 7
Saves: 6 / 0
Corner Kicks: 0 / 5
Fouls: 14 / 11
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SLC: Gio Villa (Yellow Card, 6)
SLC: Owen Anderson (Yellow Card, 24)
VCFC: Luis Mueller (Yellow Card, 64)
VCFC: Mason Vanney (Yellow Card, 77)
