1. San Antonio FC became the first visiting team to take victory at Zions Bank Stadium – and took a second consecutive win on the road at Real Monarchs SLC overall – in a 2-1 result that sent the visitors back into the top eight in the Western Conference standings. SAFC’s second consecutive road victory continued to undo the damage done by its prior four-game losing streak and set the side up for a big return home this Saturday night when another Western Conference contender in Phoenix Rising FC comes to Toyota Field.

2. Lance Laing’s value to San Antonio down the stretch shone through again as the Jamaican picked up a goal and assist for a second consecutive game, including a second consecutive game-winner that put the visitors back ahead just two minutes after the Monarchs had got back on level terms after a good start to the second half. With a playoff battle to fight, Laing is looking like the difference-maker SAFC needs to earn a top-eight finish at the end of the regular season.

3. The Monarchs not only suffered their first defeat at the club's new home venue on Monday night but also fell for a second consecutive outing for the first time this season to continue to leave the race for first place in the Western Conference wide open. With Phoenix Rising FC having the chance to move level on points with Real on Wednesday night as it hosts Rio Grande Valley FC, seeding at the top of the Western Conference now looks set to come down to the wire for the top three teams in the standings.