SANDY, Utah – Real Monarchs SLC and San Antonio FC meet on Wednesday night at Rio Tinto Stadium in the USL Game of the Week on ESPN3 with the playoff hopes for both hanging in the balance after defeats last time out. Kickoff is set for 8p.m. MT.

Matchcenter: http://www.uslsoccer.com/game/show/13218279

Real Monarchs SLC news and notes

• Current record: 9-12-6, 33pts
• The Monarchs were handed a 2-0 defeat by Orange County Blues FC last Friday night as their playoff hopes took a serious hit.
• Real was reduced to 10 men early in the game when Emilio Orozco was sent off, and the Blues struck twice in the second half to take a vital win for their playoff hopes.
• The Monarchs had gone five games undefeated prior to their loss to the Blues, but now sit four points behind Orange County with three games to play.
• Real’s 26 goals are the second-fewest in the USL, ahead of only Tulsa Roughnecks FC with 23.

San Antonio FC news and notes

• Current record: 9-10-8, 35pts
• San Antonio slipped out of the playoff positions over the past weekend as it suffered a 3-1 defeat to Saint Louis FC at Toyota Field.
• Carlos Alvarez scored his second goal in as many games in the defeat, as STLFC’s Irvin Herrera recorded a hat trick for the visitors.
• Alvarez now sits one goal behind Rafael Castillo for the team lead, while leading SAFC with six assists this season.
• SAFC will move back into the playoff positions with a win on Wednesday night, which will set up a big final two games of the season against Tulsa Roughnecks FC and Rio Grande Valley FC.

2016 Team leaders

• Goals: Real Monarchs – Ricardo Velazco, 8; San Antonio – Rafael Castillo, 5
• Assists: Real Monarchs – Ricardo Velazco, 5; San Antonio – Carlos Alvarez, 6

Series Notes

• This is the first meeting between the two teams.

Officials

• REF: Brad Jensen
• AR1: Allen Pickett
• AR2: Daniel Spicer-Escalante
• 4TH: Mitch Lillywhite

Game hashtag:

• #SLCvSA

Twitter social handles

• Real Monarchs SLC – @RealMonarchs
• San Antonio FC – @SanAntonioFC