Herriman, Utah (Sunday, September 18, 2022) – Real Monarchs (6-14-4 20 points) finished out the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro season with a 2-1 victory over Colorado Rapids 2 at Zions Bank Stadium. This year’s leading Monarchs scorers, Tyrone Mondi and Pedro Fonseca, netted goals on either side of the halftime break to help secure the team’s sixth-consecutive win at home. Despite a difficult start to the season, Real Monarchs finished the year unbeaten in 10 of its last 13 matches across all competitions.
In the final match of the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season, Real Monarchs started out on the front foot, scoring in the eighth minute when midfielder Tyrone Mondi stole the ball from a Rapids 2 player near midfield before driving a ball from 40 yards out, tucking into just inside the left post to open the scoring.
The Monarchs nearly doubled its score in the 12th minute when RSL Homegrown Bode Hidalgo drove down the right sideline and hit a bouncing ball into fellow RSL Homegrown Axel Kei. Kei fired a rocket directly at Colorado goalkeeper Abe Rodriguez who made the point blank save.
Coming out of the halftime break, Colorado found the equalizer early, scoring in the 56th minute on a break away from Darren Yapi. Real Monarchs came back swinging shortly after with another opportunity when early substitute Pierre Reedy played a through ball to Kei. Kei attempted to beat Rodriguez near post with a quick toe-poke, but his shot was wrapped up by the ‘keeper.
The Monarchs finally found the go-ahead goal in the 86th minute with Hidalgo hitting a low cross to Fonseca who slotted the ball perfectly into the bottom-left corner for the 2-1 lead. The Club was able to see out the rest of the match, finishing the 2022 season with six consecutive victories at home.
UP NEXT: Real Monarchs will now move into its offseason program to prepare for its second season in MLS NEXT Pro.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
RM: Tyrone Mondi 8th Minute: After stealing the ball from a Rapids 2 player at midfield, Mondi caught Rodriguez off his line and rocketed a shot from almost 40 yards away into the bottom-left corner for the 1-0 lead.
COL: Darren Yapi (Maclovio Swett) 56th Minute: On a through ball from Swett, Yapi made a solo run through the center of the pitch, maneuvering through the Monarchs backline and past goalkeeper Tomas Gomez before hitting a slow dribbler over the line to tie the score at one.
RM: Pedro Fonseca (Bode Hidalgo) 86th Minute: Holding possession around the box, Hidalgo hit a low cross to Fonseca in the center of the box. Fonseca slipped the ball into the bottom-left corner, off the post and in.
NOTES:
- Defender Aziz Kayondo was unavailable for the match due to home being on international duty with the Ugandan National Team.
- RSL goalkeeper Tomas Gomez stepped in between the posts for just the fourth time this season
- RSL Academy products Jaziel Orozco and Terron Williams missed tonight’s match due to injury
- Real Monarchs finished the season with a five-match undefeated streak in league play and an eight-match home undefeated streak across all competitions
Match: Real Monarchs vs Colorado Rapids 2
Date: September 18, 2022
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium
Weather: Sunny and 80
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Monarchs 1 1 2
Colorado Rapids 2 0 1 1
RM: Tyrone Mondi 8’
COL: Darren Yapi (Maclovio Swett) 56’
RM: Pedro Fonseca (Bode Hidalgo) 86’
Lineups:
Real Monarchs (3-5-2): Tomas Gomez, Erik Holt, Zack Farnsworth, Golden Mafewnta, Bode Hidalgo, Gennaro Nigro (Bobby Pierre,84’) , Abokye Bikyeombe (Pierre Reedy 40’), Jude Wellings (Benjamin Rodriguez, 66’), Pedro Fonseca, Tyrone Mondi, Axel Kei (Yekeson Subah, 84’)
Subs not used: Fernando Delgado, Marcelo Mondragon
Colorado Rapids 2 (4-3-3): Abe Rodriguez, Anthony Markanich, Steve Flores (Josh Hardin, 84’), Daniel Garcia, Blake Malone, Robinson Aguirre, Maclovio Swett, Connor Miller (Jack Sullivan, 84’), Yosuke Hanya, Philip Mayaka (Keith Chavarria, 75’), Darren Yapi (Daouda Amadou, 62’)
Subs not used: Diego Arreola, Gustavo Godoy
Stats Summary: RM/COL
Shots: 12/11
Shots on goal: 7/4
Saves: 3/5
Corner Kicks: 2/3
Fouls: 16/11
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RM: Zack Farnsworth (caution) 26’
COL: Darren Yapi (caution) 33’
RM: Erik Holt (caution) 35’
RM: Golden Mafwenta (caution) 49’
RM: Pedro Fonseca (caution) 54’
RM: Bode Hidalgo (caution) 90+3’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Dejan Susak
Assistant Referees: Hunter Zachwieja
4th Official: Jordan Downs
