Monarchs win weather-shortened Open Cup match over Aegean Hawks

The Real Maryland FC Monarchs played through two days of rain, thunder and lightning to get the 1-0 win over the Aegean Hawks.  The game was a heated contest that saw two red cards issued to the visiting side as Real Maryland FC held tightly to an early goal by Ryan Cordeiro.
 
“It was nice to come home and get a victory,” said Coach Hudson.  “No matter what your team’s status is, they will play through it in the U.S. Open Cup.”  Still battling injuries, the Monarchs saw some new faces in the line-up tonight.  Lucio Gonzaga, Michael Ghebru and Joe Funicello all saw minutes on the pitch.
 
After making his fourth appearance on the United Soccer Leagues Second Division Team of the Week recently, Gary Brooks proved why he was wearing the captain’s band for the match.  In the 14th minute of play, Gary Brooks broke free around the left side of the Hawks defense where he slid the ball across the face of the goal to Ryan Cordeiro who calmly drove home the game winner.
 
As the game wore on the contest became more heated as Mike Goldman was red carded in the 20th minute for violent conduct that sent Ryan Cordeiro down for several minutes.  Even with a man down, the Aegean Hawks fought back hard and managed to ping a shot off the cross bar.  The rebound was put into the goal, but the assistant referee called the Hawk’s player off-sides.
 
The second half saw a storm on and off the field intensifying.  The Monarchs looked as if they had put the game away off of a corner kick, but Yendry Diaz’s header hit the upper ninety of the goal and bounced out.  Play continued back and forth through pouring rain and thunder.  In the 78th minute, the Aegean Hawks saw a second red card issued for abuse towards a referee.  Soon there after was the final crack of thunder and spider webs of lightening, ending the night’s play.
 
The two teams waited into the night until the match was finally called off officially by the referees and the U.S. Open Cup Committee.  The score stands as a 1-0 victory for Real Maryland FC.  The Monarchs will now travel to New Jersey where they will face the Ocean City Barons who triumphed over Crystal Palace Baltimore 3-0.  U.S. Open Cup play is scheduled to resume next Tuesday, June 16th.  The winner of the second round match will then be paired up with a team from Major League Soccer at a venue TBD.