Real Monarchs vs OC Blues FC
Irvine, California (Saturday, July 25, 2015) – Real Monarchs SLC fell to the Orange County Blues 1-0 in its first match against the California club at Irvine’s Anteater Stadium on Saturday, finishing a light month that saw the Monarchs play just three league matches.
OC Blues started the match off quickly, forcing GK Eric Osswald to make his first of six saves on the night within the first minute of play. The Monarchs fought hard, putting up two shots on goal in the first half but couldn’t find the back of the net. The best chance for Real in the first half came in the 17th minute when some combination play saw MF Ricardo Velazco drive the ball to the endline sending it across the face of a goal but just out of reach of FW Max Rauhofer who would have had a tap in.
Just before half the Blues struck first putting the home side up 1-0.
Orange County Blues FC
In the 43rd minute Chris Cortez took a shot from 12 yards out with a blast between the two central defenders. Osswald was up to the task on the first shot but could only parry the ball away to an unmarked Denzel Slager who easily found the back of the net, putting his side up 1-0 heading into halftime.
The final 45 minutes were all Real Monarchs who pressured with a high back line and outshot the Blues 13-5 – seven of which were on goal. The Monarchs best chance came in the 61st minute when Velazco and MF Alec Sundly had three shots between them that were all saved, including a diving stop from GK Pepe Miranda on the final shot sending it out for a corner.
Orange County Blues FC
The match ended in another barage of shots from the visitors but the Blues put 10 men behind the ball and held on to its lead keeping them in playoff contention while the Monarchs fell to 2-10-6 on the season.
Real Monarchs will return to Rio Tinto Stadium for a rematch against the Blues on August 1 at 7:30 p.m. MT. Tickets are available at RealMoanrchs.com.
ORANGE COUNTY BLUES FC 1-0 REAL MONARCHS SLC
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2015 – ANTEATER STADIUM
Goals by Period 1 2 F
OC Blues 1 0 1
Real Monarchs 0 0 0
Scoring Summary:
OCB – Denzel Slager – 43’
Misconduct Summary:
SLC – Lucas Baldin (foul) – 7’
OCB – Milton Blanco (foul) – 15’
OCB – Ryan Felix (foul) – 48’
OCB – Chistopher Santana (foul) – 72’
SLC – Emilio Orozco (reckless foul) – 76’
SLC – Freddy Juarez (dissent) – 87’
Lineups: Real Monarchs SLC (4-4-2): Eric Osswald (GK); Jordan Murrell (84’ – Darion Copeland), Phanuel Kavita, Emilio Orozco, Riley McGovern (74’ – Eti Tavares); Fito Ovalle (80’ – Tyler Arnone), Alec Sundly, Lucas Baldin (c) (74’ – Maikon Orellana), Ricardo Velazco; Emery Welshman, Max Rauhofer
Substitutes Not Used: Victor Rodriguez (GK), Marvin Baumgartner, Garrett Losee
OC Blues (4-4-1): Pepe Miranda (GK); Josh Suggs, Beto Navarro, Ryan Felix, Milton Blanco; Luka Petricevic (87’ – Jacob Barron), Nikola Illich (72’ – Jack McCraken), Didier Crettenand (57’ – Chino Santana), Pavola Popara; Chris Cortez (64’ – Chris Ramirez), Denzel Slager (91’ – Tyler Feeley)
Substitutes Not Used: Billy Thompson (GK), Nikola Paunic