S2 are on a roll. They’ve won four games in a row. In today’s 4-1 win over Real Monarchs SLC both Myron Samuel and Darwin Jones scored braces. The Rave Green sit one point out of a playoff spot, but if they continue playing as confidently as they have been it’s likely they could push into the offseason.

Today’s match started out well for S2. They were the ones creating the majority of the attacking opportunities, and before the tenth minute they had created (and failed to finish) two sizzling chances. This pattern of creating but failing to finish continued throughout the game, no matter the scoreline and no matter what Real Monarchs seemed to be doing in attack. Darwin Jones in particular had a few good shots go to waste.

In the 22nd minute Real attacker Andrew Brody broke the scroing open after he sprinted to receive the ball in a pocket of space created by a scrambling S2 backline. Brody poked a shot into the corner of the net, past Tyler Miller’s outstretched hands. S2 wouldn’t equalize until the 33rd minute when Jordan Schweitzer was pushed down in the box for a penalty, which Myron Samuel finished quickly.

The second half featured much of the same play from S2, although they did give up more opportunities to the visiting Monarchs. Referee Chipolo street called a foul for pretty much any contact he could see, which made things fairly stop and start. In the 60th minute Darwin Jones capitalized on a defensive miscommunication amongst Real Monarchs’ back line to go one-on-one with goalkeeper Lalo Fernandez, putting his many misses throughout the match behind him with one accurate shot. The Monarchs committed a lot of men to defense throughout the remainder of the half, but couldn’t stop Myron Samuel’s volley in the 86th minute, or Darwin Jones’s dribbling shot in extra time.

Jordy Delem

S2 looked good today against Real Monarchs, but they also looked small. Jordy Delem in particular. The 5-foot-11-inch defender was often bullied off the ball by the Monarchs’ attackers, and was put aside on headers fairly easily. Unless he hits the weight room (often) it doesn’t seem likely he’ll be a centerback in MLS.

Chance creation

Oh boy did S2’s offense look good today. They created a litter of opportunities through the wings, and managed to create looks through counters, crossing, and balls being slipped in around the 18. They still need to work on finishing though.