Real Monarchs SLC reign over the USL Championship.
Facing the two-time defending league winner Louisville City FC on the road in the title game Sunday evening, the underdog Monarchs fell behind early but rallied and then controlled the second half to win 3-1.
It marks the first trophy for the Real Salt Lake organization since the parent club won the Major League Soccer title in 2009. The Monarchs’ interim head coach, Jamison Olave, was a key piece of that championship team.
Under Olave, who took over on an interim basis for the second consecutive season when Martin Vasquez resigned on July 1, the Monarchs finished the season 11-4-5, including an undefeated 8-0-1 mark in their last nine contests.
On Sunday, it looked early like the Monarchs would be outmatched, as Louisville came out on the front foot and scored in just the sixth minute on a goal from Magnus Rasmussen. It was the earliest goal in league final history, and the home team then dominated the next 15 minutes of play, although it couldn’t find the net.
In about the 20th minute, the Monarchs started to turn the tide and scored the equalizer in the 26th minute as Erik Holt delivered a shot from the top of the 18-yard box into the net. Then just before first-half stoppage time began, the Monarchs took the lead on a header from Konrad Plewa.
The Monarchs all but sealed the deal in the 66th minute. With Louisville starting to push more players forward, the home team was exposed in the back, and Noah Powder sent a rocket from just inside the 18-yard box for the Monarchs’ third goal.
Louisville stayed aggressive but couldn’t add to the scoreline, thanks in large part to the excellent play from 18-year-old Monarchs goalkeeper David Ochoa.
The Monarchs became the first road team to ever win the USL Championship title game.