SANDY, Utah – Given the role he’s been aiming for since first joining the professional ranks with Real Salt Lake five years ago, the standout season Sebastian Velasquez has put together so far in his return to Utah with Real Monarchs SLC has brought the 26-year-old attacking midfielder back into the spotlight.

With a talented cast surrounding him, a sign of the new methodology behind the Monarchs’ roster construction that was put in place late last season, Velasquez is now thriving knowing everyone at the club believes in his ability to act as the team’s playmaker.

“Coach [Mark Briggs] believes in me and believes in what I can do,” said Velasquez after Monday night’s victory against Reno 1868 FC. “He’s given me the opportunity to play the position which I have known my whole life, which is attacking mid. A lot of times when I’ve played here I’ve gotten a lot of critiques and I’ve got into a lot of arguments with people that say I never played attacking mid for RSL. So now to be here at Real Monarchs and to be put into a professional environment and play the position that I know and to get six goals and six assists, it’s incredible.”

Velasquez was at his best again in Monday night’s 2-1 victory against Reno at Rio Tinto Stadium, with his two assists helping the Monarchs set a USL record with the club’s ninth consecutive victory. Three seasons after last calling the RioT home, Velasquez’s six goals and six assists – which put him tied for the league lead through Week 13 – have been a major factor in the club’s 7-0-0 record on home turf in 2017.