Returning home after a 1-2 loss on the road in El Paso last weekend, Head Coach Jamison Olvae made four changes and moved to a more defensive 4-2-3-1 alignment for the only match against Tacoma Defiance this season. Jimmy Slayton continued in goal with a back four of Andrew Brody, Nicolas Giménez, James Moberg and Noah Powder. Jack Blake and Luke Mulholland were in the defensive midfield while Dayonn Harris, Kyle Coffee and Luis Arriaga handled the offensive side with Ryan Sierakowski playing on top.
Good chances were plentiful early on with both the Monarchs and Defiance putting balls off the post within 60 seconds of each and play going end to end with some rapidity.