OREM, Utah – A second-half goal by Tyler Blackwood gave Arizona United SC a 1-0 victory as the visitors handed Real Monarchs SLC its first loss of the 2016 season at Clyde Field on Friday night.

United (2-3-0, 6pts) took the lead with 17 minutes to go as a chipped pass by Luke Rooney was flicked on to himself by Blackwood as he broke in behind the defense. The rookie forward finished with aplomb as his shot fizzed into the bottom-left corner of the net for his first as a professional.

The Monarchs (2-1-1, 7pts) looked to hit back, and keep what had been a nine-game undefeated streak dating back to last season alive in the closing minutes, but United’s defense held firm to take its second win of the season.

Arizona had carried much of the play early on, and got a good early chance four minutes in when a chipped pass by Daniel Antunez over the top released Chris Cortez, but the forward wasn’t able to elevate his finish past Monarchs goalkeeper Lalo Fernandez, who saved easily.

Rooney also got an early look on goal for the visitors, as his turning shot from the top of the penalty area went just wide of the left post. Moments later, Blackwood broke in behind the defense, only for Fernandez to make a good save to deny him.

The Monarchs’ first good chance arrived in the 16th minute when a good piece of possession arrived with Andrew Brody on the left side. The rookie cut inside onto his right foot and sent a curling effort to the far post, but it went just wide.

Real almost had a big chance open up just before the break as Amass Amankona found Brody free on the right, but the winger’s touch carried the ball away and his cross under pressure sailed high to leave the game scoreless at the break.

Arizona had a good chance early in the second half as Julian Ringhof got on the end of a free kick for a header, but his effort went high of the crossbar. The Monarchs too threatened, as Maikon Orellana had his shot from the top of the penalty area tipped over the crossbar by Arizona goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski.

As the game began to open up, so did the chances for both teams. Rooney fired a shot from distance wide of the left post for Arizona, while Orellana had a shot blocked by Uchenna Uzo as he looked to break forward for the Monarchs at speed. Orellana threatened again when Monarchs opened up another chance for their leading scorer in the 65th minute, only for his shot to find the side-netting.

Blackwood then put Arizona on top, and United was unfortunate not to add to its lead two minutes later when Sam Garza shot just high of the crossbar from inside the left side of the penalty area.

The hosts looked for a response, and almost found one when Jamaican forward Kevaughn Frater broke up possession just inside the United penalty area. The ball broke to Eti Tavares, only for his shot to go just high and wide of the right post. The Monarchs then had a penalty claim turned down when Frater went down under pressure from behind in the right side of the penalty area, but in the closing stages Arizona’s defense did enough to ward off the danger and close out the win.

Upcoming Games

• April 23: Real Monarchs SLC vs. Rio Grande Valley FC, Rio Tinto Stadium, 9 p.m. ET
• April 30: Arizona United SC vs. Portland Timbers 2, Peoria Sports Complex, 10 p.m. ET

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Uchenna Uzo, Arizona United SC – The big center back put in a composed performance as United took its second shutout of the season, reading the play well to get into good positions and thwart the Monarchs’ attack.