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Silver Spring, MD ? The Monarchs are back in action at home this Thursday, July 8th at 6:30 pm against the Harrisburg City Islanders at Richard Montgomery High School.? Real Maryland FC is coming off of a four game road stand where they faced teams for USL 2 League play and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

The Monarchs (3-4-5 14pts.) sit tied in fourth place and have won the two previous match ups against the City Islanders (2-6-4 10 pts.).? But, Real Maryland faced Harrisburg early in the season when the Islanders were still finding their feet.? Since their last meeting, Harrisburg has been on a surge in both the U.S. Open Cup and USL 2 League Play.

In the U.S. Open Cup they have fought their way into the Quarter-finals where they will face DC United after beating the N.Y. Red Bulls 1-0.? Over the Fourth of July weekend, they took three points from Charlotte at home in front of a supportive crowd.

The Monarchs and the Islanders will play a home and away series with the first of the last two regular season meetings to be played Thursday in Maryland and the final match to be played Saturday in Harrisburg.

The last two times the two teams played, Real Maryland FC beat Harrisburg 3-2 at home and 2-0 on the road.? Since then, the two teams have gotten closer in the standings and both have been on a roller coaster ride trying to get points to make the playoffs.

The playoffs will be very difficult to make this year as only 3 teams get into them.? If either team wants to have a chance at a spot in the playoffs, they need to take points away from these two critical games on Thursday in Maryland and Saturday in Harrisburg.

Harrisburg will look to its points leader Jason Hotchkin who is currently 6th in the League with 8 points in 11 games.? Not far behind, they will also look to Sheenan Williams who is tied in the top 10 points getters with 6.? Both players scored in this past weekend?s match up with Charlotte and are instrumental in the Islanders offense each game.

Real Maryland FC has only 10 goals, 5 of which were scored against Harrisburg.? The Monarchs have relied heavily on their defense led by Gareth Evans, Mason Trafford, Kenneth Sola and their goalkeeper Brian Levey.? If the Monarchs want to partake in the playoffs this season, they will definitely have to kick it into high gear and start scoring more goals.

After this week?s series with Harrisburg, the Monarch will take a trip down South to face the League leading Charleston Battery and the Charlotte Eagles.?

Come support Real Maryland FC as Coach Hudson and the boys try to match last year?s feat of making the playoffs and maybe more.? Game time is 6:30 pm Thursday, July 8th at Richard Montgomery High School.

For more information on Real Maryland FC or its Future Monarchs Programs, please visit the website at realmaryland.us.