SANDY, Utah (Saturday, August 27, 2016) – Real Monarchs SLC (8-11-5, 29 pts, West #11) will look to continue its hot streak that has seen the club go unbeaten at 2-0-1 in the last three matches when it faces Arizona United on the road Saturday night in Peoria, Arizona. Fans can watch the 8:30 p.m. MT kick via RSL.com or USLsoccer.com.
Head Coach Freddy Juarez’ team won the last two matches 1-0 over the Swope Park Rangers, then 2-1 over Portland Timbers 2 to inch up to 11th in the USL’s Western Conference. He will have five players on loan from Real Salt Lake to bolster his roster, including 19-year-old FW Pedro Baez and MF Sunday Stephen, who has been out since June with facial fractures and will likely make his first appearance since the June 22 injury tonight with the Monarchs.
Beginning with a 0-0 draw against Colorado Springs, the Monarchs kicked off a run of six home contests out of eight through mid-September, going 2-0-1 to start the stretch as Juarez and his team look to climb their way back into playoff contention. With eight teams in each conference making the postseason, the Monarchs are just two points out of the eighth and final playoff position with six matches to play. Following Saturday’s match in Arizona, the Monarchs will play three consecutive matches at home before closing out the regular season with a pair of road contests at Arizona and at LA Galaxy II.
Earlier this month, the Monarchs announced the signing of Mexican MF Jesus Leal, pending receipt of his ITC and P-1 visa. The former Club America midfielder is the third addition to the club this month after previously signing internationals MF Charlie Adams (England) and FW Ameth Ramirez (Panama). Leal, 23, comes to the Monarchs from Club America, where he made his professional debut and appeared in the CONCACAF Champions League in 2013. After making four league appearances in Liga MX, he went on loan to second division club Cimarrones de Sonora, where he scored his first professional goal.
FW Ricardo Velazco leads the Monarchs with seven goals and five assists, but it was FW Maikon Orellana and DF Emilio Orozco that bagged goals to lift the Monarchs to victory the last two matches. In addition, the defense has allowed just one goal in the last three matches.
The Rio Tinto Stadium box office is open Tues.-Fri., 10a-6p; more information can be found online at www.RSL.com/Monarchs/Schedule or via the Fan Relations Hotline at 801-727-2702.
How to Follow Real Monarchs v. Arizona United
- Coverage Begins: 8:30 p.m. MT
- Web Stream: www.RSL.com/Monarchs //www.USLsoccer.com
- English TV: n/a
- English Radio: n/a
- Spanish Radio: n/a
- Online: The @RealMonarchs Twitter feed provides updates
