SAN JOSE, Calif. – Earthquakes II defeated Real Monarchs 3-1 on Sunday evening at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif. Earthquakes II are now 6-1-1 in their last eight matches and are just three points below the playoff line in the Western Conference.
Real Monarchs opened up the scoring with a goal via penalty kick in the 22nd minute. Quakes II would find the equalizer in the 34th minute through a strong individual run and finish by Homegrown midfielder Niko Tsakiris. Rodolfo Castro Jr. would then score a pair of goals, including a direct free kick, to give Quakes II a 3-1 lead. His second goal of the night was the 600th goal in MLS NEXT Pro history. Castro Jr. has now tallied three goals and an assist in the last two games.
“At the beginning of the game, it could have gone either way,” said Castro Jr. “I think the key was that we stayed patient and stayed true to our identity. We are a group with a blue-collar mentality. I cannot express how happy I am right now with the two goals. I can only thank my teammates and the atmosphere tonight.”
Earthquakes II will now prepare to play the Tacoma Defiance in their second of three straight home games on Friday, Aug. 5. Kickoff from PayPal Park is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT and the match will be streamed live on MLSNEXTPro.com.
MATCH INFORMATION
2022 MLS NEXT Pro Season
Earthquakes II 3 – 1 Real Monarchs
Sunday, July 31, 2022 – PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.
adidas Player of the Match: Rodolfo Castro Jr.
Scoring Summary:
SLC (1-0) – Pedro Fonseca (PK) 22’
SJ (1-1) – Niko Tsakiris (Nathan Scott) 34’
SJ (2-1) – Rodolfo Castro Jr. (Will Richmond) 55’
SJ (3-1) – Rodolfo Castro Jr. (unassisted) 75’
Misconduct Summary:
SJ – Israel Carillo (caution) 45’
SLC – Aziz Abdu Kayondo (caution) 45+2’
SLC – Zack Farnsworth (caution) 74’
EARTHQUAKES II: Emi Ochoa; Erick Reyes, Casey Walls © (Alejandro Cano 72), Israel Carillo, Omar Lemus; Nathan Scott, Niko Tsakiris (Eduardo Blancas 59), Siad Haji (Max Arfsten 46), Jerry Ayon (Cruz Medina 72); Will Richmond, Rodolfo Castro Jr. (George Asomani 79).
Substitutes not used: Eric De La Cerda (GK), Ethan Kohler.
SHOTS: 21; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 11; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: 4
REAL MONARCHS: Tomas Gomez; Aziz Abdu Kayondo (Bret Halsey 59), Golden Mafwenta (Abokye Bikyeombe 46), Jaziel Orozco ©, Bode Hidalgo; Tyrone Mondi, Diego Luna (Benjamin Rodriguez 72), Erik Holt (Zack Farnsworth 46); Rubio Rubin (Terron Williams 72), Axel Kei, Pedro Fonseca.
Substitutes not used: Pierre Reedy, Yekeson Subah, Will Mackay (GK), Jude Wellings.
SHOTS: 11; SHOTS ON GOAL:5; FOULS: 6; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 3
