Herriman • Real Monarchs fell 2-0 to New Mexico United at home on Wednesday night, dropping their second consecutive match.
New Mexico United saw goals from former Monarchs defender Kalen Ryden and midfielder Amando Moreno in the victory.
The two sides started the match aggressively, with both clubs looking dangerous throughout the first half. In the 25th minute, New Mexico United midfielder David Najem broke free down the left side of the field and found himself in a one on one with the goalkeeper, but Jimmy Slayton made a point-blank save to keep the score level.
The Monarchs responded with a few missed chances of their own before New Mexico found the breakthrough. In the 38th minute, midfielder David Estrada sent a cross into the left side of the box and found the head of Ryden for the goal to give United the 1-0 lead at the break.
Against the run of play in the 68th minute, Moreno dribbled between two defenders before chipping Slayton with a right-footed shot to double the lead for New Mexico United. Midfielder Jack Blake tried to cut the lead in half with a free kick in the 71st minute, but it was pushed wide by United’s goalkeeper Cody Mizell. Midfielder Sam Brown immediately followed it up with a powerful shot from outside the box, but it was tipped up and away by Mizell once again to preserve the clean sheet and the New Mexico United victory.
The two teams will play again Saturday at Zions Bank Stadium.
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