VANCOUVER, B.C. – Amass Amankona scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time with the final kick of the game to give Real Monarchs SLC a 1-0 win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 at Thunderbird Stadium, as WFC2 fell for the first time this season. WFC2 (6-1-4, 22pts) created more chances in the first half, including a fierce strike by Ben McKendry that forced a big save just before halftime by Monarchs goalkeeper Lalo Fernandez. The second half saw fewer chances, but after Vancouver’s Sam Adekugbe gave away a late free kick on the right, earning a second yellow card, the Monarchs (4-4-4, 16pts) were able to strike as Amankona stole in at the far post to earn a valuable three points.

Scoring:
90+’ – SLC – Amass Amankona (Eti Tavares)

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. WFC2 looked the more creative team throughout the game, but for one of the rare occasions this season their finishing was just a little bit off, and in the end it proved costly. From a header by Kyle Grieg going just over the crossbar, to Fatawu Safiu’s shot getting blocked at close range in the second half, the Monarchs weren’t flawless defensively, but did enough to earn a second consecutive result on the road at Thunderbird Stadium.

• 2. Vancouver’s defense was a bit more airtight than a week ago, and it was in part to the play of center back Sem De Wit, whose strength on the ground and in the air was evident throughout the game. The only member of WFC2 to have played every minute of the season, the offseason addition has been arguably as important to Vancouver as fellow newcomer Kyle Greig has been in leading the attack.

• 3. For all the good work WFC2’s defense did throughout the contest, a late lapse cost the side its undefeated record thanks to Amass Amankona’s first professional goal. The former Charlotte Eagles standout in the PDL slid in to put a perfectly placed finish into the right-side netting from the left side of the six-yard area to steal three points on the road which will come in very useful in the Monarchs’ pursuit of the playoffs.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Amass Amankona, Real Monarchs SLC – Amankona’s first professional goal couldn’t have come at a better time for the Monarchs, as they took four points from two games at Thunderbird Stadium in the past two weekends.

Upcoming Games:

June 9: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 at Seattle Sounders FC 2, 10:30 p.m. ET, Starfire Stadium

June 8: Real Monarchs SLC at Sacramento Republic FC, 11 p.m. ET, Bonney Field | ESPN3