History arrives Sunday at Zions Bank Stadium — and with it, a brand new reality.
Real Monarchs will compete in the MLS Next Pro playoffs for the first time in the Club’s history in the competition. And this week, the team’s 2025 season crusade reaches a new pivotal juncture.
Head Coach Mark Lowry’s side will face Minnesota United FC 2 after the Loons fell into the Claret-and-Cobalt’s lap in the first round of MLS NEXT Pro “Pick Your Opponent” matchup, set for 6:00p MT Sunday at Zion Bank Stadium.
Both teams have already met twice this year during the regular season. Midfielder Luca Moisa netted what eventually proved to be a consolation in a 2-1 away loss in mid-July, before goals from Jesus Barea, Marcos Zambrano and Griffin Dillon — all occurring in the first half — steered Lowry’s men to a hard-fought 3-2 triumph when the two sides met for the reverse fixture at America First Field near the end of August.
The Claret-and-Cobalt second team now prepares for its first playoff contest in six years by virtue of an impressive, compelling fourth-place league finish in the West standings, with Jeremy Hall’s Minnesota side finishing only a position below in fifth, albeit with a seven-point chasm.
The Monarchs arrive at this critical fixture in positive mood on the back of four consecutive victories, which reached a regular-campaign concluding climax last time out in a 4-1 home drubbing of Vancouver Whitecaps 2 in both teams’ final fixture of the league season.
Lowry’s side’s impressive recent form has seen his team net an impressive 13 times and concede a meager five goals in their past four outings, and means the hosts arrive on Saturday with considerable wind in its sails against a Minnesota side which has managed but also endured an equal amount of losses in their own last four fixtures. It all sets the stage for an exciting Sunday night contest on the Wasatch Front.
Recent form
Real Monarchs: LWWWW
Minnesota United FC 2: WLLWW
Barea record breaker
Striker Jesus Barea constitutes perhaps the greatest individual illustration of such success. The 23-year-old was selected by Real Salt Lake in December as part of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft and has enjoyed an explosive first season with Lowry’s side. A stellar performance in an enthralling 4-2 fightback win away against North Texas SC culminated in a magnificent first-half brace, etching the Spaniard’s name firmly into the Real Monarchs history books as the first-ever player to reach a double-digit figure in goals in a single season for the club in the MLS NEXT Pro era. For Barea’s part, 13 goals in 18 Next Pro appearances paint the picture of a predatory marksman, as the top goalscorer for Lowry’s side, whilst also appearing periodically for the first team.
A stellar performance and second successive brace in the season finale during the 4-1 demolition of Vancouver lifted the striker to his 13 goals — with two assists — across 18 total MLS Next Pro games this season, in continuation of a magnificent personal individual campaign.
Statistical leaders
Goals: Barea: 13 / Hezarkhani: 6 / Zambrano: 5 / Dillon: 5 / Mesalles: 4 / Wolff: 3 / Sandoval: 3
Assists: Mesalles: 4 / Moisa: 4 / Hezarkhani: 4 / Dillon: 4 / Wolff: 3 / Touray: 3 / O. Marquez: 3
With the objective of a playoff berth now satisfied, watch Lowry’s side begin a new push for the MLS Next Pro Championship title, with a playoff first-round clash against Minnesota United FC 2, this Sunday, Oct. 19. Kickoff is slated for 6:00 pm MT with pregame festivities will start at 5:00 pm, the first 500 fans in attendance will receive free food and merchandise.Tickets will be available both at the door and currently via SeatGeek.
