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Silver Spring, MD ? The Monarchs played their second game at home this week tonight against the Richmond Kickers and fell short by a score of 2-0.? Real Maryland FC now (2-3-2) with 8 points has been knocked down a peg in the standings because of the loss to the Kickers now (2-1-3) with 9 points.

The Monarchs came out ready to play tonight creating some chances through the midfield and by being stingy on defense as usual.? The problem that persisted into the night with Real Maryland FC was their inability to generate genuine offense.? The defense and goalkeeping has kept the team in the games all season long, including tonight, but without goals the team has not been able to move forward in certain games.

In the 10th minute, Brian Levey made a save off of Delicate shot after an errant pass made by the Monarchs.? Real Maryland pushed, but only seemed to get the ball so deep or close to the Kicker goal.? Ronnie Pascale, the GK for Richmond was able to scoop up most crosses or shots uncontested.

As the half wore on, the level of play seemed to dip on the part of the Monarchs where Richmond took advantage and began putting pressure on the Real Maryland FC goal.? In the 30th minute, Delicate had another shot on goal, this time a header, but was tamed by GK Brian Levey who faced 17 shots and had 9 saves.

In the 36th minute, Mike Burke hit a rocket from the top of the box, but missed wide.? It looked like the Monarchs might make it to the half to regroup, but in the 43rd minute #4 Vercollone ripped a shot from the top of the box past an extended keeper diving to his left.? The assist was a great pass from #11 Elcock.

Going into the locker rooms at half-time, Richmond was up 1-0.

Starting the second half, the kickers wasted no time in putting in a second goal.? #11 Edson Elcock got more points on the night when he cleaned up a bouncing ball in the Monarch goal area in the 50th minute.

Real Maryland came back down the field and put a header on goal, but was saved by the Kickers keeper with ease.? The story continued into the 79th, 81st and 86th minute where the Monarchs got within reach of the goal, but were only able to get floaters on goals and nothing with power.

Real Maryland FC will look to regroup for next weekend?s game against Charlotte when the Eagles come to town to face the Monarchs on Saturday, May 22nd at Richard Montgomery High School at 6:30 pm.? The Charlotte Eagles are currently sitting in second place.? An additional side plot is that Charlotte was the team that ended the Monarchs 2009 Season in the first round of the playoffs.

For more information on Real Maryland FC or the Future Monarch Programs, please visit realmaryland.us.