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Silver Spring, MD – On Saturday, May 22nd the Real Maryland Monarchs will play the Charlotte Eagles at Richard Montgomery High School with a kickoff slated for 6:30 pm. This is the first time the two teams will have met this season.

The last time the two teams saw one another was in the 2009 Playoffs where the Eagles soared past the Monarchs and into the Second Round. The Eagles finished the season as USL Second Division Runners-up.

The Monarchs (2-3-2) are coming off their largest defeat of the season at home by the Richmond Kickers this past weekend. The squad is looking to shake off the poor form and get back to playing their strong style of soccer.

The Monarchs have been led in the back by Captain Gareth Evans who has logged 630 minutes already in the season which leads the League. Tied with Evans for minutes is a number of other Monarch players including the entire back line and the goalkeeper Brian Levey. The defense has really stepped up their game this season averaging a GAA of 1.0 per game in seven games.

The Midfield led by Nicki Paterson, Ben Hunter, Nate Baker and Alan Sanchez are looking to kick start the heart of the team this Saturday by stirring up the midfield and creating the chances for the forwards.

Up top, Jamie Darvill has shown poise and maturity in his first season in the United Soccer League’s Second Division. Jamie has logged 582 minutes and has 4 points on the season.

The Eagles (3-2-0) 9 points come into the match one point ahead of the monarchs putting them in second place behind the Charleston Battery who sit atop the USL Second Division. In just 5 games this season, the Eagles have scored 8 goals, but have also conceded 6 against.

Charlotte will look to its points leader Debola Ogunseve, who has 6 points in just 5 matches landing him second in the League with points overall. They will no doubt look to Bryant Brady as well who has 4 points in just 5 games. Seven players out of the League’s Top Twenty in Points belong to that of Charlotte.

The game is setting up to be a dual between a good offense and a good defense. Both teams are talented in other areas so there will be no doubt some surprises surfacing in this first meeting of the season.

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