HERRIMAN, Utah – Austin Bold FC rallied from a halftime deficit to earn a 1-1 draw against Real Monarchs SLC on Friday night at Zions Bank Stadium as the visitors earned their first points of the 2021 USL Championship season.

The hosts got onto the front foot early and defender Kyle Adams had a chance blocked on the line by Austin’s Amobi Okugo off a corner kick in the fourth minute as the Monarchs looked for a breakthrough. A minute later, Milan Iloski also had a big chance after a good pass by Ibrahim Bancé, but Bold FC goalkeeper Elliot Panicco made a good low save.

Austin’s first real chance came in the 17th minute as Stefano Pinho got on the end of a cross from the right by Xavi Baez but couldn’t quite turn his near-post header on target. With four minutes to go before halftime, however, the Monarchs struck as Malik Johnson floated an angled cross from the left toward the top-right corner of the six-yard area that allowed Jeizon Ramírez to tuck a header just inside the post for his first goal for Real.

Bancé almost doubled the Monarchs’ lead two minutes into the second half as his long-range drive from 25 yards toward the top-left corner of the net was turned away by Panicco. Bold FC got back on level terms on the hour-mark, however, as a corner kick from the right was half-cleared toward Xavier Baez near the top of the penalty. The Mexican midfielder rang his shot off the right post, but it rebounded to hit Monarchs goalkeeper Zac MacMath and went into the net for an own goal.

The Monarchs almost regained the lead with seven minutes to go as second-half substitute Chris Garcia pushed forward on a counterattack and beat his defender, but could only stab his shot just wide of the right post. Bold FC also had a late chance as well as Sean Okoli slipped in Omar Gordon to the left side of the penalty area, but MacMath quickly came off his line to deny the shot. The visitors had one final chance deep in stoppage time to find a winner, but MacMath saved a shot by Emilio Ycaza from the top of the penalty area as honors ended even.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Gustavo Rissi, Austin Bold FC – Rissi put in a good defensive display, winning 5 of 6 duels, 12 recoveries and eight clearances while also completing 41 of 54 passes on the night.

Scoring Summary
SLC – Jeizon Ramirez (Malik Johnson) 41’
ATX – Zach MacMath (Own Goal) 60’

Full Box Score