SANDY, Utah – The top two teams in the USL Western Conference square off on Saturday night as Real Monarchs SLC seeks to seal its place in the USL Cup Playoffs when it welcomes second-place San Antonio FC to Rio Tinto Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. MT.
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Real Monarchs SLC news and notes
Current record: 17-3-4, 55pts
The Monarchs took their 11th win in 12 outings at Rio Tinto Stadium last Friday night, coming from behind in their 2-1 win against Rio Grande Valley FC.
After conceding in the fifth minute the Monarchs responded with goals from Daniel Haber and Sebastian Velasquez to edge the side three points away from sealing the first place in the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs.
Chandler Hoffman earned a place on the USL Team of the Week following his performance in the match as he provided the assists for both goals, completing 18 of 20 passes in the match.
Hoffman sits with 14 goals and seven assists this season, and is currently the only player in the USL in the top three of both categories.
A victory against San Antonio will send the Monarchs to the USL Cup Playoffs for the first time in the club's three-season history.
San Antonio FC news and notes
Current record: 12-2-9, 45pts
San Antonio comes into this match well rested having not played since a 1-0 win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 last Wednesday.
Kris Tyrpak scored the lone goal of the match, with a powerful header from just inside the area, earning himself USL Fans' Choice Goal of the Week honors for Week 23.
Greg Cochrane put in the assist for that goal, part of a performance which saw him named to the USL Team of the Week, as he created four other chances in the match.
It was the performance San Antonio needed, as the hosts dominated the match against Vancouver, managing 21 shots, but only managed to get five of those shots on target for a 23.8 percent shooting accuracy.
After a phenomenal run to start the season, San Antonio FC has struggled to string wins together, not winning consecutive matches since June 24th.
Series Notes
Squads
Real Monarchs – GK: Connor Sparrow, Andrew Putna, Lalo Fernandez; D: Reagan Dunk, Justin Schmidt, Chris Schuler, James Moberg, Kyle Curinga, Max Lachowecki, Emilio Orozco, Michael Gallagher, Taylor Peay, Riggs Lennon; M: Sebastian Saucedo, Charlie Adams, Diego Calvo, Nick Besler, Sebastian Velasquez, Karsten Hanlin; F: Andrew Brody, Daniel Haber, Chase Minter, Chandler Hoffman, Juan Mare, Skyler Milne, Jonel Desire, Danny Cruz
San Antonio – GK: Matt Cardone, Diego Restrepo, Lee Johnston; D: Andrew Moullin, Sebastien Ibeagha, Cyprian Hedrick, Ben Newnam, Stephen McCarthy, Greg Cochrane, Ryan Roushandel; M: Pecka, Billy Forbes, Michael Reed, Victor Araujo, Rafael Castillo, Kris Tyrpak, Mark O’Ojong, Devin Vega, Maxi Rodriguez, Connor Presley; F: Ever Guzman, Michael Seth, Cesar Elizondo, Omar Gordon
Discipline
Real Monarchs –Accumulation warning: Michael Gallagher
San Antonio – Accumulation warning: Mark O’Ojong, Sebastien Ibeagha, Kris Tyrpak, Cesar Elizondo, Stephen McCarthy
Officials
REF: RAMY TOUCHAN
AR1: Joshua Mills
AR2: David Rozek
4TH: Trevor McDowell
Game hashtag:
Twitter social handles
Real Monarchs SLC - @RealMonarchs
San Antonio FC - @SanAntonioFC
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