SANDY, Utah – If Real Monarchs SLC was to be part of the 2016 USL Playoffs, Wednesday night’s contest against San Antonio FC was a must-win.

Thanks to Charlie Adams’ first goal for his new club, and an assist on Pedro Baez’s insurance tally late on, the Monarchs got the three points they were looking for in a 2-0 victory at Rio Tinto Stadium.

“Today was a playoff match,” said Monarchs Coach Freddy Juarez after the game. “We want to have a chance to make it to the playoffs so we needed a win.  We pressed when we needed to press, we recovered the ball quickly and we had possession well.  In the second half we got the goals we needed.”

The victory moved the Monarchs a point back of eighth-place Orange County Blues FC in the USL Western Conference standings with two games to go in the season.

The Monarchs left it late to grab all three points, although they could have claimed the lead in the first half when the hosts were awarded a penalty kick for a handball in the penalty area. Baez stepped up, but had his shot well saved by San Antonio FC goalkeeper Matt Cardone.

With just over 15 minutes to go, however, Adams struck with a low finish from 15 yards after a broken play that had resulted from a strong Monarchs attack down the left side. A former member of Louisville City FC, for which Adams had two goals and two assists in 20 appearances last season, Adams seized on an ideal time to notch his first goal for Real.

“It was great, especially if it's your first goal,” Adams said, “but the main thing for us tonight is to obviously get the three points. I'm more happy with the three points than my goal.”

Adams then set up Baez, who got in behind the San Antonio defense before finishing low past Cardone with eight minutes to go to seal the victory. The English midfielder arrived with the Monarchs at the start of August, and with three games now under his belt is enjoying his new surroundings.

“The important thing is, I like the style of play,” Adams said. “The guys have been very welcoming to me. It's been great.”

• RELATED: Adams Lifts Monarchs to Victory vs. San Antonio

The Monarchs now hit the road to close the regular season, with a visit to Arizona United SC next up on Saturday night. While the side still needs help to find its way into the top eight, Juarez is pleased the side will head south with something at stake.

“Now all the boys are playing for something,” Juarez said. “We want to give our all to Arizona, and we want to come out with a win. And if we do that then that is one game down. Then we are on the road again against a team we have gone and won against [in the LA Galaxy II], this year and last year. So we want the same amount of momentum going into those games.”