SANDY, Utah – Real Monarchs SLC will enter the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs on a high after recording its 20th win of the regular season – a 2-1 victory – against the LA Galaxy II at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday evening. With the result, the Monarchs become the second team in as many seasons to earn more than 20 victories, as the New York Red Bulls II recorded a record-setting 21 wins on their way to securing the 2016 USL Cup. Emilio Orozco netted the opening goal of the match via a corner kick sent into the box in the sixth minute of play, while Sebastian Velasquez scored the second for the home side 13 minutes later. Los Dos’ Adrian Vera cut the lead to one in the 42nd minute after rounding Monarchs goalkeeper Connor Sparrow. However, the Monarchs held on and, as a result, finish the regular season with a 20-5-7 record. The Galaxy II end their 2017 campaign with an 8-19-5 overall record.

Scoring:
6’ – SLC – Emilio Orozco (Diego Calvo)
19’ – SLC – Sebastian Velasquez
42’ – LA – Adrian Vera

• #SLCvLA: Full match and Opta box score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. The Monarchs capped off an impressive USL regular season with another Western Conference win on Saturday and will now head into the USL Cup Playoffs undefeated in five games. The club, which claimed the 2017 USL Regular Season Championship by securing 67 points in 32 games this campaign, will be the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and host the eighth-seeded Sacramento Republic FC or OKC Energy FC this upcoming weekend.
   
• 2. Los Dos will miss out on the postseason for the first time since beginning play in 2014. The Galaxy II showed quality in a handful of matches this year, but the club had a tough time defending. The club has conceded a league-high 62 goals this regular season, while only recording four shutouts in 32 matches.
   
• 3. While Reno 1868 FC has been the best attacking team during the USL regular season, the Monarchs have proven to be a well-oiled machine on both ends of the field. The club finishes the regular season with 57 goals scored and 30 goals conceded - the second-best goal differential in the league. Sacramento, the Monarchs’ potential Western Conference Quarterfinals opponent, has scored 43 goals this campaign while conceding 41, showing how impressive the team has been. Netminder Connor Sparrow recorded seven shutouts this year, while Chandler Hoffman led the side with 16 goals scored.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Sebastian Velasquez, Real Monarchs SLC – The midfielder scored the game-winning goal, completed 89.6 percent of his passes and created two chances for the home side.

Upcoming Games:
Real Monarchs SLC – Western Conference Quarterfinals, TBA
LA Galaxy II – End of season