The Real Monarchs fall 2-1 at home

HERRIMAN, UT (Wednesday May 8, 2024) – True monarchs (2-5-1, 8pts, 10th in the West) lost 2-1 against Houston Dynamo 2 (1-4-2, 7pts, 12th in the West) in its last match of three consecutive matches home.

During the first 20 minutes of play, both teams were strong, looking to secure the three points on offer for the evening. Dangerous plays and shots came from both ends. Each defensive line experienced high pressure that forced them into difficult situations.

Most of Houston Dynamo 2’s shots came from set pieces and corner kicks. As the Real Monarchs backline worked to clean up Houston’s plays, they awarded free kicks from the top corner of the box as well as further out, but a few touches and the Dynamo were within goal range. Out of these chances, Will Mackay And Bobby-Pierre they frequently made stops to put the monarchs out of danger.

The Monarch’s chances came from connecting at the back and crossing the ball from the corner. Matthew Bell And Iliya Paul hit some, but they failed to put the ball on goal as all of the Monarch’s shots went high and wide. Paul had more than one powerful shot from the top of the 18 that went just high enough to fly over the crossbar. His help came from assists and connections with Christmas Caliskan and his other midfielders.

As the half progressed the teams became a little disjointed and several yellow cards were handed out. Houston was looking to pick up its pace while the Monarch wanted to slow it down. Tension was high for both teams and shots went back and forth on the field until the halftime whistle.

The first goal of the match came in the 63rd minute for the Monarch. Aiden Hezarkhani found the net after receiving a ball over the top Griffin Dillonwinning a fierce tussle with a Houton defender near the penalty spot and placing him low and hard past the Houston keeper.

The Monarch’s lead was short-lived as Houston answered just over five minutes later. The equalizer was scored by Ousmane Sylla from a free kick. The Monarch were awarded a corner which Diego Gonzalez sent towards the near post as Sylla raced from the top of the box, taking a header over it and finding the back of the net. This leveled the playing field and both teams regained their energy to take the lead.

Houston managed to find the winning goal in the 82nd minute from Stephen Annor Gyamfi. Dynamo connected through their midfield by sending a pass to Isaiah Reid. Reid touched the ball and quickly centered the ball into the back post where Annor Gyamfi slotted it past Mackay and into the net.

The go-ahead goal came late in the second half, but the Monarch didn’t give up hope. They bombarded Valdez and his rear line, shot after shot. They put several of those shots on target and forced Valdez to guard his net, but couldn’t get the equalizer.

The Real Monarchs hit the road for their first game of two away from Zions Bank Stadium against Ventura County FC on May 19 at 6:00 p.m. MT with streaming available on Apple TV – MLS Season Pass.

SLC: Aiden Hezarkhani (Griffin Dillon) 63′ Aiden Hezarkhani received a long ball from Griffin Dillon at the penalty spot to put it low and hard past Valdez.

HOUS: Ousmane Sylla (Diego Gonzalez) 69′ Diego Gonzalez sent the ball towards the near post and Sylla ran from the top of the box to head in and find the back of the net.

HOUS: Stephen Annor Gyamfi (Isaiah Reid) 82′ Isaiah Reid touched the ball and quickly centered the ball into the back post where Annor Gyamfi sent it into the net.

True monarchs (4-4-2): Will Mackay; Omar Alba (Sébastien Joffre, 84 years old), Keller Storlie ©, Bobby Pierre, Zack Farnsworth; Griffin Dillon (Luca Moisa, 80 years old), Noel Caliskan, Aiden Hazarkhani (Damien Barker John, 63 years old), Beni Redzic (Omar Marquez, 63 years old); Ilija Pual, Matthew Bell

Unused subs: Damien Barker John, Jude Wellings, Sean Petrie, Gio Villa, Marzuq Puckerin

Houston Dash 2 (4-3-3): Xavier Valdez; David Nguema (Omar Gray, 55 years old), Obafemi Awodesu, Isaac Mwakutuya, Kieran Glen Sargeant (Isaiah Reid, 75 years old); Sebastian Rodriguez, Diego Gonzalez ©, Brooklyn Raines; Exon Arzu (Maddox Findlay, 90+3), Ousmane Sylla, Jordy Jorley Burbano Angulo (Stephen Annor Gyamfi, 55)

Unused subs: Ezekiel Soto, Askeli Ekqvist, Parker Jackson, Nicolas Defreitas-Hansen

SLC: Bobby Pierre (yellow card, 16), Ilija Paul (yellow card, 28), Noel Caliskan (yellow card, 58), Luca Moisa (yellow card, 87) 11 fouls in total

HOUS: Brooklyn Raines (yellow card, 19), Diego Gonzalez (yellow card, 41), Exon Arzu (90+3) 14 fouls in total