PHOENIX – Real Monarchs SLC continued its perfect start to the 2018 season with a third consecutive win as Sebastian Velasquez’s goal earned a 1-0 win against Phoenix Rising FC in front of a sellout crowd of 6,531 fans at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex that served as the conclusion to the 2018 USL Experience. Rising FC threatened consistently in the first half, with Monarchs goalkeeper Connor Sparrow getting down well to deny Collin Fernandez in the 12th minute. Phoenix’s Jason Johnson also went close in the 27th minute as Sparrow made a sprawling save on his header, but the visitors held firm to keep the game scoreless at the break. Real then took the lead 11 minutes into the second half as a turnover led to an opening down the left for Maikel Chang, and his cutback to Sebastian Velasquez was fired home from 10 yards. Rising FC almost equalized in the 73rd minute as Chris Cortez’s flicked header off Solomon Asante’s cross from the right flashed just wide of the left post, while Fernandez and Billy Forbes both fired wide in the final minutes, but the Monarchs held on to take a big road victory.

Scoring:
56’ – SLC – Sebastian Velasquez (Maikel Chang)

• #PHXvSLC: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Phoenix will feel it should have taken something from Saturday’s game, which saw Rising FC’s undefeated start to the season come to an end, but the combination of a stellar display by Monarchs goalkeeper Connor Sparrow and some errant finishing left the hosts to wonder what might have been. There were some thrilling performances for Rising FC, most notably the continued strong play of Solomon Asante, but a lack of a decisive finish allowed the Monarchs to steal away with victory.

• 2. The Monarchs didn’t get as many chances offensively as in their opening two outings of the season, but when their best chance of the night presented itself the visitors were clinical in their build-up and finish. Capitalizing on a loose turnover in midfield Real swiftly moved forward with Maikel Chang finding space on the overlap, and Sebastian Velasquez timed his run to arrive late and unmarked for a precise cross that the 2017 All-League selection put away with aplomb, and a suitable celebration to match.

• 3. On top of being arguably the marquee matchup in the Western Conference this week in the USL, Saturday’s game also provided the concluding centerpiece for the third USL Experience, which saw 72 of the Super Y League’s top players experience what life is like for a USL professional over the span of three days. In addition to the great training and off-field experiences the players, a sharply played contest in front of a sellout crowd will have given the youngsters a real view into what it takes to make it to the professional ranks.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Sebastian Velasquez, Real Monarchs SLC – Velasquez provided the game-winner for the Monarchs, and completed 37 of 40 passes in a stellar midfield display.

Upcoming Games:

Phoenix Rising FC at LA Galaxy II – April 11, 10:30 p.m. ET, StubHub Center

Real Monarchs SLC at Seattle Sounders FC 2 – April 11, 10 p.m. ET, Cheney Stadium