SANDY, Utah – Real Monarchs SLC and the Portland Timbers 2 will both look to build on victories this past weekend in a key game in the Western Conference playoff race for both teams at Rio Tinto Stadium on Wednesday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. MT.

Matchcenter: http://www.uslsoccer.com/game/show/13218276

Real Monarchs SLC news and notes

• Current record: 7-11-5, 26pts
• The Monarchs gave their playoff hopes a jump-start on Saturday night as they took a 1-0 victory against the Swope Park Rangers on home turf.
• Real got an early goal from Emilio Orozco against the Rangers, and then held firm defensively as Lalo Fernandez recorded nine saves in the shutout.
• Fernandez has now recorded back-to-back shutouts, and sits third in the USL with 77 saves in 21 appearances this season.
• The Monarchs are four points back of eighth-place Arizona United SC with seven games remaining in their season entering Wednesday night’s games.

Portland Timbers 2 news and notes

• Current record: 7-11-4, 25pts
• Portland continued its late attempt to make a run at the playoffs on Sunday with a 2-1 victory against Orange County Blues FC.
• Steven Taylor and USL 20 Under 20 selection Victor Arboleda scored two goals three minutes apart to give T2 its second consecutive win.
• Villyan Bijev recorded an assist for the third consecutive game against Orange County, and now leads the team with five this season.
• Wednesday night’s game opens a three-game road trip for T2, with only two of its remaining eight games set to be played at home.

2016 Team leaders

• Goals: Real Monarchs – Ricardo Velazco, 7; Portland – Neco Brett, 5
• Assists: Real Monarchs – Ricardo Velazco, 5; Portland – Villyan Bijev, 5

Series Notes

• Portland took a 3-1 victory against the Monarchs at Providence Park in the first meeting between the teams this season on May 7.

Officials

• REF: Brad Jensen
• AR1: Jacob Herold
• AR2: Kali Smith
• 4TH: Kristi Mak

Game hashtag:

• #SLCvPOR

Twitter social handles

• Real Monarchs SLC – @RealMonarchs
• Portland Timbers 2 – @TimbersFC2