HERRIMAN, Utah (Wednesday, September 16, 2026) — Real Monarchs (7-15-5, 30 pts, 11th West) fought Minnesota United FC 2 (11-10-6, 42 pts, 7th West) to a 0-0 draw on Wednesday night in its penultimate game of the season, falling 4-3 in a shootout for the extra point. The result was the Monarchs’ first tie since July 5, 2026.
Head Coach Mark Lowry made three changes to the starting XI for the penultimate game of the MLS NEXT Pro season, with Dylan Kropp, Isaac Murphy and Rylan Hashimoto entering the lineup. Hashimoto, an RSL Academy product, notably made the first professional start of his career on Wednesday, starting as a right midfielder against Minnesota.
Handwalla Bwana made his Real Monarchs debut Sunday night, subbing on in the 80th minute to earn his first minutes with the Club. Bwana joined the Monarchs on loan from USL Championship side Las Vegas Nights earlier this month, and will be with the team until the end of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season.
The home side came closest to opening the scoring in a relatively quiet first half in Herriman, testing Minnesota’s keeper on multiple occasions. In the 39th minute, Owen Anderson dribbled up the left flank before cutting onto his right foot, firing a shot that rattled the crossbar. The Monarchs quickly gathered the rebound and lofted in a cross, forcing a tough save after a header from Felix Ewald. While the Monarchs were unable to break the deadlock, the move gave the Utah side momentum heading into halftime.
The visitors nearly took the lead in the early minutes of the second half, getting to the end of a long ball as Max Kerkvliet left his line to attempt a clearance. Jordan Adebayo-Smith took a touch around the Monarchs’ keeper but was unable to finish a contested shot on an open net. The Monarchs had chances of their own, including a left-footed shot from Utah native Zach Lifferth in the 68th minute that was saved by Kayne Rizvanovich.
With neither team unable to find the back of the net after 90 minutes, the match went to a decisive shootout. Real Monarchs misses from Ruben Mesalles and Izzy Amparo gave Minnesota United FC 2 a 4-3 shootout win and the extra point on Wednesday night.
Real Monarchs will close out its 2026 MLS NEXT Pro campaign at home this weekend, hosting Ventura County FC on Sunday, September 20, at Zions Bank Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. MT.
SLC 0 (3): (4) 0 MIN
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
SHOOTOUT SUMMARY:
SLC: Nico Silva
MIN: Luke Hille
SLC: Ruben Mesalles (Miss)
MIN: Jack Clarkson
SLC: Handwalla Bwana
MIN: Jakob Friedman
SLC: Lionel Djiro
MIN: Hector Cruz
SLC: Izzy Amparo (Miss)
LINEUPS:
Real Monarchs (4-4-2): Max Kerkvliet ©; Linkon Ream, Liam O’Gara (Ruben Mesalles, 63’), Dylan Kropp, Hayden Sargis (Gio Villa, 70’); Rylan Hashimoto (Handwalla Bwana, 80’), Izzy Amparo, Isaac Murphy, Owen Anderson (Nico Silva, 63’); Felix Ewald, Zach Lifferth (Lionel Djiro, 80’)
Subs not used: Trace Alphin, Diego Rocio, Luis Rivera, Chance Cowell,
Minnesota United FC 2 (5-3-2): Kayne Rizvanovich; Samuel Vigilante, Jack Clarkson, Philip Tarnue, Brody Schauf (Nicholas Dang, 74’), Troy Putt (Jakob Friedman, 74’); Luciano Pechota, Kage Romanshyn, Maxwell Harwood (Alpha Kabia, 74’); Jordan Adebayo-Smith (Alisa Randell, 74’), Luke Hille ©
Subs not used: Alexander Witte, Calin Grulke, Mo Bojang, Hector Cruz,
Stats Summary: SLC / MIN
Shots: 10 / 15
Shots on Goal: 4 / 5
Saves: 5 / 4
Corner Kicks: 5 / 3
Fouls: 15 / 10
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
MIN: Jack Clarkson (Yellow Card, 53’)
SLC Isaac Murphy (Yellow Card, 90+2’)
