Real Monarchs SLC finished four points out of a place in the 2016 USL Cup Playoffs as an up-and-down season saw the side falter with losses in three of its final four games to end the year on the outside looking in. The season produced a number of strong individual performances, led by Ricardo Velazco, who signed with Real Salt Lake after leading the Monarchs with eight goals and six assists, but with a new Head Coach in Mike Petke and the big offseason additions of forwards Chandler Hoffman and Daniel Haber, the side could find the consistency it needs to earn a first postseason berth.

Head Coach: Mike Petke
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
2016 results: 10-14-6, 36pts
2016 postseason: N/A

Goalkeeper: The Monarchs saw Homegrown standout Lalo Fernandez start the majority of the club’s games a season ago, but with Jeff Attinella’s offseason move to Portland, he has moved into the backup role behind Nick Rimando for RSL. That leaves competition for the starting spot for the Monarchs, with returning goalkeeper Connor Sparrow, who made two appearances a season ago, being joined by 2017 MLS SuperDraft selection Andrew Putna, a two-time Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year.

Defense: The Monarchs return both Emilio Orozco and Max Lachowecki, both of whom were regulars in the lineup a season ago, with Lachowecki (2,206) finishing second only to Ricardo Velazco (2,274) in minutes played. Real has also added former Portland Timbers 2 center back Michael Gallagher, who made 24 appearances in the USL last season. The side could also be bolstered by rookies Reagan Dunk and Justin Schmidt, both of whom signed with RSL after being selected in the MLS SuperDraft, and U.S. U20 international Danny Acosta, who has made 21 appearances in the league over the past two seasons.

Midfield: Real made some late-season pickups that had positive impacts in Charlie Adams and James Moberg last year, and the side remained aggressive this offseason and added some potential impact players. Leading the way is creative midfielder Sebastian Velasquez, who returns to the RSL organization – where he made 38 MLS appearances from 2012-14 – as a member of the Monarchs. Velasquez is joined by former Portland Timbers 2 midfielder Nick Besler, a former First Round MLS SuperDraft pick who made 49 appearances for T2 over the past two seasons as the side came up just short of a playoff berth in 2016.

Forward: The Monarchs made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason when they announced the signing of former Louisville City FC forward Chandler Hoffman for 2017. Hoffman, who has recorded more goals than any player in the USL over the past three seasons with 31, tallied 14 goals to help City finish second in the Eastern Conference last season, and should provide a strong replacement for Velazco. Former Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 forward Daniel Haber made for another big addition after he played a key role in WFC2’s run to the Western Conference Final last year, while returning RSL Academy product Andrew Brody will aim to add to his two goals and one assist in his rookie year.

Strengths: While the signing of Chandler Hoffman and Daniel Haber may have grabbed the headlines, the Monarchs had an even bigger move up their sleeve on December 22 when it announced Mike Petke would become the club’s new Head Coach. A former MLS Supporters’ Shield winner with the New York Red Bulls, the 41-year-old Petke should bring a level of intensity and consistency that will give the Monarchs the added impetus to push for a playoff position.

Weaknesses: The Monarchs’ biggest weakness in its first two seasons has been an inability to put together long runs of form, with a three-game winning streak and five-game undefeated streak the longest the side was able to achieve in the 2016 season. There is certainly talent within the squad, but now that needs to be put into action, with greater consistency in front of goal a priority as the Monarchs aim for a first postseason berth.

Key number: 31 – The Monarchs scored only 31 goals in 30 regular-season games a season ago, the fewest of any side in the Western Conference outside of Tulsa Roughnecks FC. With only five players recording multiple goals last season, the introduction of Hoffman and Haber should help, but Real’s secondary scoring will need to be better too.

Noteworthy matchups: After playing in Reno last season, the Monarchs will welcome USL newcomers Reno 1868 FC to Rio Tinto Stadium on April 6 for the first meeting between the teams, while May 20 sees the first visit of Rocky Mountain rival Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC to Utah this season. The Monarchs also conclude the regular season with back-to-back home games against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 and the LA Galaxy II, both of which could be make-or-break for the club’s playoff hopes.

Coach’s view: “I challenged all those guys to be our leaders, to be our examples and to set the standards every day, and they have. They’re buying into things. Getting to the next level is far from a given. That definitely requires more than just soccer talent – off the field, mentality, with the way you conduct yourselves. They’re extremely professional, and when these players do get to that next level, they’re prepared in every aspect.” – Real Monarchs SLC Head Coach Mike Petke

Current roster (updated: March 10, 2017):
Goalkeepers: Connor Sparrow, Andrew Putna
Defenders: Michael Gallagher, Max Lachowecki, Emilio Orozco
Midfielders: Charlie Adams, Nick Besler, Jesus Leal, Chase Minter, James Moberg, Sebastian Velasquez
Forwards: Andrew Brody, Daniel Haber, Chandler Hoffman, Emmanuel Ocran