MLS NEXT Pro: Undefeated Real Monarchs Building a New Identity in 2026
- Staff Writer
- 19 hours ago
- 2 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
HERRIMAN, Utah — Real Monarchs have wasted no time making their intentions clear to open the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season. Standing undefeated through their first four matches, the squad has surged out of the gate with a confidence and sharpness that reflects a team determined to rewrite its story after a heartbreaking early playoff exit in 2025.
Currently sitting in fourth place in the MLS NEXT Pro overall standings, the Monarchs are firmly in the conversation as one of the league’s most dangerous sides. Under the guidance of Head Coach Mark Lowry, the team has traded last year’s disappointment for a sense of urgency and purpose.
Resilience in the Shootout
A defining factor of this fast start has been the team's composure in high-pressure moments. Two of the Monarchs' four matches ended level after regulation, triggering the league's unique shootout format for an extra point. In both instances, 20-year-old goalkeeper Max Kerkvliet rose to the occasion.
The young shot-stopper has become the backbone of the defense, making clinical saves in each shootout to secure valuable points. His growth and poise between the posts have provided the Monarchs with a steady foundation, particularly during a gritty shootout win over LAFC2.
An Electric, Multi-Faceted Attack
While Kerkvliet anchors the back, the Monarchs' attack has been nothing short of electric, featuring six different goal scorers in just four games.
Lineker Rodrigues: The Brazilian forward has emerged as the early engine of the offense, tallying four goals and two assists. His impact was most felt in a dramatic 90th-minute equalizer against LAFC2 and a recent brace in a 3-2 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2.
Marcos Zambrano: Since arriving in Utah in mid-2025, Zambrano has continued to build momentum, already netting three goals this season.
Antonio Riquelme: The Chilean midfielder has added two goals and an assist, including a clinical performance in the shootout win against LAFC2.
Jesús Barea: Coming off a massive 14-goal campaign in 2025, Barea has already opened his 2026 account and remains a constant threat on the wing.
The squad's most emphatic statement came in a dominant 5-0 road victory over Sporting Kansas City 2—the largest road win in club history. The performance perfectly encapsulated their early-season form: clinical, confident, and unrelenting.
League Standing & Form
Stat | Real Monarchs (2026) |
Record | 2-0-2 (W-L-T) |
Points | 10 |
Overall Rank | 4th |
Key Result | 5-0 win at Sporting KC II |
Four games into the season, the Real Monarchs are not just winning; they are building a distinct identity. Fueled by the memory of last year's Conference Quarterfinal exit, the team is proving that it belongs among the league’s elite. If this lightning-fast start is any indication, the Monarchs are no longer just chasing results—they are making a statement.
Next Match: Real Monarchs travel to face Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday, March 29, looking to extend their unbeaten streak to five.
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