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Preview: RGV FC travel to Utah to face off against Real Monarchs

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The Rio Grande Valley FC Toros continue their road swing this weekend when they travel west to Utah Saturday to take on Real Monarchs SLC at Zions Bank Stadium.


In their last match out, RGV FC fell 2-1 to Orange County SC in Irvine, Calif. RGV received some firepower during the match from a new face, when defender Robert Coronado scored his first professional goal. The Cal State Fullerton product commemorated his return to Southern California by scoring on a 25-yard strike to reduce the deficit.


After being kept off the scoresheet last weekend, forward Michael Salazar will look to set the single-season scoring record for RGV FC against Real Monarchs. Salazar currently leads the team with seven goals this season across 660 minutes in 11 games. Salazar will look to help balance a short-handed forward core without Maalique Foster, who will be on national team duty with Jamaica.


Real Monarchs SLC are currently riding a five-match winless streak, most recently falling 2-1 at Portland Timbers 2 on May 29. At home this season at Zions Bank Stadium, the Monarchs are 3-2-1.


The Monarchs will look for offensive contributions from midfielders Maikel Chang and Jack Blake, along with forward Douglas Martinez, who have combined for twelve of Real Monarchs’ 21 goals this season. The defense is anchored by goalkeeper David Ochoa, who ranks sixth in saves across the USL Championship this season with 30. The squad is coached by former Bayern Munich and United States men’s national team assistant Martín Vásquez.