Match Recap - Republic v Real Monarchs

Evan Newton please clear off a spot on your trophy cabinet for MVP of this match because you absolutely will be receiving a hand-made gift from myself tonight in remembrance of your performance in the shootout.

Lets be honest, I was expecting a loss. I was expecting to be typing about how all my favorite soccer teams recently have brought me sorrow. I was envisioning a two page rant on the state of soccer currently in my local sphere. But the beauty of this sport was on display tonight. How an unexpected win at an unexpected time can change you and the outlook you can have on things.

The Republic started off strong...like Schwarzenegger strong. We should have easily had a few goals by halftime.

KNEESHAW USE YOUR LEFT FOOT. BUCKLE ONLY ALLOW HIM TO SHOOT WITH HIS LEFT THIS WEEK IN PRACTICE.

WHY...WHY...WHY PUT IT ON FRAME

I was quite surprised though that the Monarchs goalkeeper did not come back on the second half with casts on his wrists. I was 10000% sure Christian snapped both of them with this missile that broke the sound barrier.

The boys were solid in the first half there is no debate about that. We should have had two or three marks on the ol’ chalkboard. But we came out strong in the second half to give us the lead.

With this goal Espino had a perfect finish but please please please give 95% credit to Kneeshaw on his assist. WOW! What an assist to setup that goal.

Then after that goal the boys sat back. Sat back when they should have gone for the kill. When they should have put it away in the salty lake city and never looked back. But a foul that some would consider questionable on the part of Cazarez.

PK for the Monarchs and they slot it away like the first place team should. 1-1. Start in on the nail biting and pour yourself another beer folks.

It did not look good from here on out. We had all seen it multiple times before this season. Go up, tie it, then lose it. Hoping that our boys would settle in and snatch a miracle goal somewhere, we almost did it. Almost almost almost did it.

Hayden, bud, goal scoring 101. Head the ball where the keeper is not going to be able to save it. Particularly somewhere out of their immediate reach.

Fulltime is called 1-1. Disappointing finish yet if you were to tell me you would go into extra time 1-1 earlier today I would have taken it.

Then came 30 minutes of cramping, substitutes, and almost goal from each side. I would rather us just go to penalty kicks and get it over with.

Put since you are reading this you already know the ending. The good guys win. EVAN NEWTON WOW I WILL SAY IT AGAIN...WOW WHAT A PERFORMANCE AND GREAT TWO SAVES.

Now we are on to the round of playoffs and one step closer to our second trophy. And finally I will end you all with a nice chuckle.