HERRIMAN, Utah – Marcus Epps scored an outstanding finish with 10 minutes to go as San Antonio FC edged past Real Monarchs SLC on Saturday night at Zions Bank Stadium after a strong second half display by the visitors finally broke down the Monarchs’ defensive resistance.

Looking to rebound from its last outing, San Antonio had the better of the early going but didn’t create a clear chance until the 25th minute when Connor Maloney stole possession after a loose touch in the Monarchs half and found Jose Gallegos, who picked out a cross from the right to the left side of the penalty area for Epps that the winger just sent wide of the left post on the volley.

The Monarchs’ first good look didn’t arrive until the final minute of the half, meanwhile, but after a good one-two with Josimar Quintero sent him into the penalty area, Bret Halsey created space for a well-struck shot that San Antonio’s Matt Cardone had to turn behind for a corner kick.

With the game scoreless at the break, San Antonio went close to opening the scoring two minutes into the second half as Nathan Fogaca got on the end of a corner kick from the right by Cam Lindley but sent his header just wide of the near post. A minute it was the turn of the Monarchs as they broke forward quickly to get Malik Johnson in space in the left channel, but his low shot to the right corner slid just wide of the post, and the sides continued to exchange early chances as Gallegos curled a shot from 20 yards toward the top-right corner that Real goalkeeper Jeff Dewsnup turned wide for a corner.

Fogaca went close again soon after but wasn’t quite able to control his header on Connor Maloney’s cross from the right side, sending it well over the crossbar, and in the 63rd minute a quick free kick found PC on the left for a first-time cross into the penalty area that Fogaca was first to, only for Dewsnup to make a great point-blank save before the rebound hit the Brazilian and bounced wide of the left post.

San Antonio continued to ramp up the pressure as the midway point of the half arrived and a corner kick by Lindley from the left found Mohammed Abu for a back-post finish that Dewsnup just kept out. The Monarchs’ goalkeeper came up big again with 19 minutes to go as Gallegos played Fogaca in behind the defense only for Dewsnup to narrow the angle well and stay up to make the save.

Real went close to stealing a goal against the run of play with 13 minutes to go as Christian Nydegger fired a shot from 20 yards just wide of the left post, but in the 80th minute the breakthrough arrived for the visitors as PC found Epps just outside the left edge of the penalty area and the winger cut inside onto his right foot past three defenders and from 20 yards unleashed a dipping shot that clipped the underside of the crossbar and found the back of the net.

San Antonio had a late chance to add to its lead as Gallegos had an effort blocked away, but the visitors were solid defensively down the stretch to limit Real’s chances at an equalizer as they secured all three points and a return to third place in the Mountain Division standings.  

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Mohammed Abu, San Antonio FC – Abu was an outstanding presence in the San Antonio midfield as he won 7 of 11 duels and made 17 recoveries and completed 49 of 57 passes for the visitors.

Scoring Summary
SA – Marcus Epps (PC) 80’

Full Box Score