Almost missed that Axel Kei is on the bench as well. I don't think either Farnsworth or Kei have played a Monarchs minute prior to tonight.
I know it’s terrible, but we used to yell “Garden State!” at him. Not sure if he got the movie reference or not.
I wasn't able to catch it but we didn't concede any goals, so the defenders can't have played THAT badly. Farnsworth played '84 which has to be considered a win by itself. Axel Kei played the entire second half and converted his PK in the shootout. The shootout went 12 rounds, and Ilijah Paul pulled off the rare feat of missing two attempts in the same shootout.
Axel Kei picks up the winner in the 89' of his first start of the year. KEI THROUGH THE EYE OF A NEEDLE! 🪡@RealMonarchs finds a late goal to take the lead! pic.twitter.com/Zmi5ElWFwY— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) August 26, 2023
More additions. https://www.rsl.com/monarchs/news/monarchs-sign-five-ew-players-season-opener Most of the roster is new within the last 6 months. https://www.transfermarkt.us/real-monarchs-slc/kader/verein/45806 With 22 players (outside of the two independent teams, that's the biggest roster in the league), is it less likely to use Academy call-ups? Are they going to try to win more? I'm curious what the plan is, because I'm not sure the previous plan worked.
Had the choice to watch either the Monarchs game or Inter Miami so naturally chose the Monarchs. I was rewarded with a 8 goal thriller (Monarchs lost 5-3). I liked the lineup from the Monarchs more than I've been accustomed to in past years. It was a combination of draft picks, academy players, and fringe-MLS types, but even the fringe-y types were in the 21-23 range. Only one Monarchs player was born later than 2002 (Caliskan, an 00). Guys I liked: - Our two draft picks were also our starting wingers and both were very good. Damien Barker-John had 2 goals and Matthew Bell had 1 G, 1 A. Barker-John has a real knack for timing runs in behind and got a goal doing it (with a nice assist from Caliskan). Bell is very dangerous on the ball, and set up Barker-John's first goal with an excellent run. - The youngest player on the field was 15 year old Luca Moisa in central midfield, who more than held his own. He wasn't just happy to be there - made some good reads and played good balls all game. People have tipped him as a potential national-team player since he was 12-13 and it shows. - Our best defender IMO was Zack Farnsworth, who seems to be healthy for the first time ever. Definitely made some mistakes (he conceded a PK that I considered pretty harsh) but is very composed on the ball and is a strong passer from deep. The fact that he played 90 is a win itself.
This was Barker-John's second - great timing on the run and finish, great assist from Caliskan, and also a terrific interception from Farnsworth to keep Vancouver pinned. Barker John does it again! ✌️@RealMonarchs pull another one back on the road. pic.twitter.com/KEtDs8vJHZ— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) March 23, 2024
The team has showed a ton of commitment to local-ish Zack Farnsworth. I really hope that he proves worthy of it on the 1st team. Seems like a great “locker room guy.” Your recap reinforces that I really am more interested in the Monarch’s than RSL, but the barriers to seeing them are much greater for me.
Yeah I'd mostly given up on him being a pro player since he could just never stay healthy. It's his age 22 season but he only has 13 competitive appearances. I've always thought he looked good when he played though. There is a reason he was so highly thought of once. If he can actually stay on the field I wouldn't be surprised if he gets into the first team picture. We're just two games into this season but he already has more minutes than all of last year.
I find it odd that RSL has ~34 players with an MLS contract and they are giving game day spots to Monarchs players.
Interesting report about Benfica in Portugal intending to sign @RSLAcademy prospect Axel Kei ahead of the 2026-2027 season, when he turns 18. Mysteriously, Kei has not featured for the Academy or @RealMonarchs this year. #RSL https://t.co/aWK6vUTqwX— Beehive Soccer Report (@BeehiveSoccer) July 31, 2024 Does this belong here? Rumor about a team wanting Axel