SANDY, Utah – Real Monarchs SLC will take aim at a second win this week as it plays host to Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Saturday night, with the chance to extend its lead at the top of the Western Conference to eight points with a victory. Kickoff at Rio Tinto Stadium is set for 7 p.m. MT, and the Video Assistant Referee system will be in use.

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Real Monarchs SLC news and notes

• Current record: 13-2-1, 40pts

• The Monarchs became the first team to reach 40 points this season with a 3-1 victory against OKC Energy FC on Wednesday night at Rio Tinto Stadium.

• A pair of goals by Chandler Hoffman proved the difference, as the halftime substitute struck twice in six minutes to earn his side the victory.

• Hoffman’s opening goal of the night was his 40th in the USL regular season for his career. He is also now third in the race for the USL Golden Boot with 10 goals this season.

• Real midfielder Sebastian Velasquez was nominated for June’s USL Player of the Month award after recording four assists over the course of the month.

Seattle Sounders FC 2 news and notes  

• Current record: 7-7-2, 23pts

• S2 continued its up-and-down form with a 2-0 victory against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 last Saturday at McLeod Athletic Park.

• Seattle got goals from Ray Saari and Zach Mathers either side of halftime to keep their position in the top eight of the Western Conference.

• S2 has recorded alternating wins and losses over its last five games, and has gone 3-4-1 so far on the road this season.

• Mathers’ goal against WFC2 was his sixth of the season, and broke a tie for the league lead with Irvin Parra, who remains on five.

Series Notes

• The Monarchs took a 3-1 victory when the teams met for the first time this season, evening the series at two wins apiece with one draw.

Squads

• Real Monarchs – GK: Connor Sparrow, Andrew Putna, Lalo Fernandez; D: Reagan Dunk, Justin Schmidt, Danilo Acosta, Chris Schuler, James Moberg, Kyle Curinga, Max Lachowecki, Emilio Orozco, Michael Gallagher, Taylor Peay, Riggs Lennon; M: Ricardo Velazco, Sebastian Saucedo, Jose Hernandez, Charlie Adams, Nick Besler, Sebastian Velasquez, Karsten Hanlin; F: Andrew Brody, Daniel Haber, Chase Minter, Chandler Hoffman, Emmanuel Occran, Skyler Milne 

• Seattle – GK: Bryan Meredith, Kasim Akili, Trey Muse, Sam Fowler; D: Brian Nana-Sinkam, Rodrigue Ele, Khai Brisco, Ethan Lotenero, Jackson Ragen, Christian Koontz, Riley Grant; M: Lorenzo Ramos, Paul Rothrock, Francisco Narbon, Ray Saari, Dylan Teves, Cameron Martin, Jamie Dimitroff, Kei Tomazawa, Charles Renken, Camilo Santiago; F: Milo Barton, David Olsen, Alfonso Ocampo, Javorn Stevens, Irvin Parra

Discipline

• Real Monarchs – None

• Seattle – Accumulation warning: Ray Saari

Officials

• REF: DANIEL RADFORD

• AR1: Kali Smith

• AR2: Kristi Mak

• 4TH: Brad Jensen

• VAR: Ramy Touchan

Game hashtag:

• #SLCvSEA

Twitter social handles

• Real Monarchs SLC – @RealMonarchs

• Seattle Sounders FC 2 – @SoundersFC2