SAN DIEGO, California (Saturday, August 7, 2021) – Real Monarchs (4-10-4, 16 points) defeated San Diego Loyal SC 1-0 in a tightly-contested match at Torero Stadium.
Douglas Martínez scored 42 seconds into the match, the fastest goal in Monarchs history, besting Chandler Hoffman’s record of 54 seconds against Orange County SC in 2017. The lone breakthrough earned the club its first road win of the season.
The Monarchs got out to a perfect start with a goal in the first minute of the match. Milan Iloski and Charlie Wehan combined on the early counter to find Martínez inside the box where the forward smashed the ball inside the right post on his first touch. San Diego settled the match and created several chances of their own throughout the half, but the Monarchs defense denied all attempts and the traveling side entered the halftime break with a 1-0 advantage.
In the 57th minute, Wehan and Martínez combined on the counter once again for the Monarchs, but Martínez’s chance at a brace was saved by the goalkeeper to keep Loyal SC within striking distance. San Diego appeared to equalize in the 86th minute on a tap-in goal from Corey Hertzog, but the offside flag was raised. Immediately following the offside the Monarchs looked likely to double the lead, but Martínez’s shot ricocheted off the post, Aris Briggs collected the rebound, but his shot was saved. San Diego pushed for a goal in the final moments, but the Monarchs defense held on to preserve the clean sheet for the visitors.
UP NEXT: The Monarchs travel to Texas to take on San Antonio FC at Toyota Field on Saturday, August 21 at 6:30 p.m. MT. The match can be streamed on ESPN+.
SLC: Douglas Martínez (Charlie Wehan), 1st minute: Running down the middle of the pitch, Milan Iloski found Charlie Wehan at the top of the box. Wehan collected the pass, turned his back to the defense and found a streaking Douglas Martínez on the right side of the box. On his first touch, Martínez smashed the right-footed shot inside the right post and into the back of the net.
– Forward Douglas Martínez returned to Head Coach Jamison Olave’s starting XI for the Monarchs in tonight’s match. Martínez spent the past month representing Honduras in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and missed the last five matches.
– Usual defender Bret Halsey played in the midfield for the Monarchs in the match, with Bode Davis sliding back in the formation and onto the right side of the back line.
– Forward Charlie Wehan recorded his first professional assist on the Douglas Martínez goal in the first minute of the match.
– Young goalkeeper Jeff Dewsnup earned his first professional shutout in the victory.
Match: Real Monarchs vs. San Diego Loyal SC
Venue: Torero Stadium; San Diego, California
Weather: Clear and 68 degrees
SLC: Douglas Martínez (Charlie Wehan) 1’
Real Monarchs (4-2-3-1): Jeff Dewsnup; Daniel Flores (Kevin Saucedo, 58’), Kyle Adams, Jaziel Orozco, Bode Davis; Sam Brown, Bret Halsey; Malik Johnson, Milan Iloski, Douglas Martínez; Charlie Wehan (Aris Briggs, 71’)
Subs not used: Gavin Beavers, Haroun Conteh, Christian Nydegger, Josimar Quintero, Max Mata
San Diego Loyal SC (4-3-1-2): Austin Guerrero; Sal Zizzo (Oliver Larraz, 72’), Joshua Yaro, Grant Stoneman; Miguel Ibarra (Ben Spencer, 87’), Alejandro Guido, Charlie Adams, Jack Blake, Morgan Hackworth (Chase Boone, 45’); Tumi Moshobane, Corey Hertzog
Subs not used: Trey Muse, Sergio Chavez, Haji Abdikadir, Xavi Gnaulati
SLC – Daniel Flores (caution) 16’
SLC – Sam Brown (caution) 40’
SLC – Jaziel Orozco (caution) 57’
SD – Jack Blake (caution) 66’
SLC – Kyle Adams (caution) 77’
SLC – Douglas Martínez (caution) 83’
SD – Ben Spencer (caution) 90’+5’
Assistant Referees: Jose Vega, Darren Bandy
4th Official: Joseph Salinas
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