SALT LAKE CITY – Ricardo Velazco scored two goals and assisted another as Real Monarchs SLC overcame an early deficit to post a 3-1 victory against Orange County Blues FC on Saturday at Ute Stadium. Alec Sundly had a goal for the Monarchs while Orange County’s Dusan Stevanovic scored his first goal of the season. The Monarchs improved to 3-3-3 (12 points) and ended a five-game winless streak. Orange County dropped to 3-4-2 (11 points) and fell for the first time on the road.

Scoring:
6’ – OC – Dusan Stevanovic (Roy Meeus)
50’ – SLC – Ricardo Velazco (Elder Torres)
59’ – SLC – Alec Sundly (Ricardo Velazco)
69’ – SLC – Ricardo Velazco

Three Things That Mattered:

• 1. The Blues looked comfortable from the start in the buildup to a sixth-minute goal. Roy Meeus played a deep cross from the left side to find a wide-open Dusan Stevanovic on the right side. Stevanovic led the ball bounce once and had enough time to line up his shot, finding the left of the frame for a 1-0 lead and his first tally with the Blues.

• 2. The Monarchs stepped up in the second half with back-to-back goals in a 10-minute span. First, Ricardo Velazco headed home Elder Torres’ free kick, finding the inside of the left post to tie the score at 1-1 in the 50th minute. Then Velazco set up Alec Sundly’s goal in the 59th minute. The corner kick was placed in the middle of the area and Sundly redirected with the outside of his right boot for a 2-1 lead.

• 3. The cherry on top was Velazco’s second tally when the Monarchs intercepted in the midfield. Velazco showcased his speed and precision, dribbling through multiple Blues defenders, then finding the right moment to slot past Orange County goalkeeper Brandon Miller for a 3-1 cushion in the 69th minute.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Ricardo Velazco, Real Monarchs SLC – The team captain drove the Monarchs’ rally, heading home the equalizer, providing the corner kick assist to Alec Sundly shortly after, then scoring his second with a solid individual effort through the left side of Orange County’s defense.

Upcoming Games:
May 24: Real Monarchs SLC at OKC Energy FC; 8 p.m. ET, Taft Stadium
May 27: Orange County Blues FC at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC; 9 p.m. ET, Switchbacks Stadium