MLS NEXT PRO: Zambrano Brace Powers Real Monarchs to Historic Road Win
- Staff Writer
- 5 minutes ago
- 2 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Real Monarchs rewrote their record books on Sunday night, dismantling Sporting Kansas City II in a 5-0 shutout at Victory Field. The dominant performance was spearheaded by forward Marcos Zambrano, whose two-goal showing fueled the largest road victory in the franchise's history.
The Monarchs took control in the 18th minute after Sporting KC II goalkeeper Jacob Molinaro misplayed a headed clearance outside the box. The ball fell directly to Zambrano, a U.S. Youth National Team prospect, who clinically lofted a long-range strike over the stranded keeper to open his 2026 scoring account. The visitors doubled their lead shortly after when defender Rubén Mesalles pounced on a rebound in the 26th minute to make it 2-0.
"The early breakthrough from Marcos really set the tone for how we wanted to play tonight," Monarchs officials said. "To come into a hostile environment and execute with that level of clinical finishing is exactly the step forward we wanted to see from our attacking group."
The Monarchs maintained their aggressive posture in the second half, with Zambrano finding the net again in the 56th minute. After teammate Gio Villa was brought down in the box following a surging run, Zambrano stepped up to the penalty spot and powered a strike down the middle to complete his brace. Since joining from the Real Salt Lake system, Zambrano has continued to prove himself as one of the most clinical finishers in the developmental ranks.
The offensive barrage continued in the 71st minute via a stunning individual effort from Chilean midfielder Antonio Riquelme. After a quick one-two with Lineker Rodríguez, Riquelme unleashed a thunderous strike from distance that clipped the underside of the crossbar before nestling in the net. The scoring was rounded out in the 76th minute when Owen Anderson turned in a dangerous cross from Tyler Wolff.
While the club has recorded 5-0 wins at home in the past, Sunday’s result marked a new milestone as their most lopsided away win ever. The previous road record was held by a pair of 4-0 victories over LA Galaxy II (2018) and Houston Dynamo 2 (2025).
The defensive unit was equally resolute, as goalkeeper Max Kerkvliet recorded a clean sheet and turned away several early Sporting KC II threats. The victory moves Real Monarchs into the top tier of the Western Conference standings and secures a spot in the league's top power rankings heading into Matchweek 3.
Sporting KC II, meanwhile, falls to 0-2-0 on the young season. Despite the heavy scoreline, the Kansas side matched the Monarchs in several statistical categories but failed to find the clinical edge required to penetrate a disciplined Utah backline.
Real Monarchs will now return home to Zions Bank Stadium to host LAFC 2 on Sunday, March 15. Sporting Kansas City II will look to reset as they travel to face Colorado Rapids 2, searching for their first points of the campaign.
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