Real Monarchs SLC 2-1 defeated The Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. Kyle Murphy scored first for the Toros. Daniel Haber and Sebastian Velasquez scored for the Monarchs.
Kyle Murphy helped the Toros take the lead early in the game. After RGV stole the ball from Real Monarchs from their own half, Eric Bird passed the ball to Kyle Murphy who buried his shot into the upper-right hand corner and past Connor Sparrow.
Real Monarchs leveled things in the 18th minute. Chadler Hoffman dumped the ball of to Daniel Haber. Haber curled the ball from 20 yards out and into the upper-right corner. RGV keeper Borja Angoitia was needed immediately after. Karsten Hanlin’s low shot was saved by Borja to keep both teams level.
Right before the first half ended, Real Monarchs SLC scored their second goal of the night. Sebastian Velasquez passed the ball to Chandler Hoffman who was inside the penalty box. Hoffman set up Velasquez who put the ball inside the net.
Jose Escalante had an opportunity to score an equalizer in the 61st minute. In a counter-attack, Escalante dribbled through the right side of the field and cut in as he approached the penalty box. His low shot to the left was denied by Sparrow’s diving efforts.
In the 74th minute, Angoitia got the best of Hoffman in a one-on-one situation. In stoppage time, Angoitia once again denied Real Monarchs SLC by saving Chase Minter’s efforts in a similar play.
Rio Grande Valley next game is at home on Wednesday, August 30 against Portland Timbers 2.
