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On a humid night at Richard Montgomery High School’s Lester Stadium, the Monarchs picked up three more crucial points to stay in the race for the playoffs. Real Maryland FC faced a tough opponent from Pittsburgh who fought until the final whistle.

The last time the two sides met in Pittsburgh, the home team walked away with a 2-1 victory. The game started where the other left off – scrappy. Both teams tried to gain the upper hand in a game that started off back and forth, but neither could find the net.

Despite the absence of central defender Yendry Diaz, the Monarch defense has been stingy letting up one goal in the last two games. Filling in nicely, on loan from the Colorado Rapids, has been Michael Holody. Holody has brought a calming presence to the back line and has stifled opponent’s air attack. Also stepping up his efforts has been net minder, Justin Hughes. Hughes finished the night with four saves, including a boxing clearance in the last minute of stoppage time. The Monarchs keeper came close to getting the shutout when he got a hand on a penalty kick by Pittsburgh, but #18 Jerome Randolph’s strike proved to be to strong.

The second half started off with some pace by the home side as they picked up the offensive pressure on the Pittsburgh goal. Quick combination play from the forwards Cecil Lewis and Lucio Gonzaga put the Hounds on their back paws. Off of a set piece from the corner, the ball found Gonzaga at the top of the Pittsburgh 18-yard box. With a beautiful strike, the Brazilian on loan from the New Jersey Ironmen bent the ball into the far upper ninety in the 51st minute.

Less than five minutes later, Cecil Lewis put away his second goal in as many games sending the home side to a commanding 2-0 lead. As the two teams dug in for a fight to the finish, the game saw a back forth match with each team fighting for every ball. In the 78th minute, Jerome Randolph was granted a questionable penalty kick that he put away drawing his team within a goal again.

The game did not disappoint in the last 15 minutes as both teams had some good opportunities to either put the game away or to draw it even. In the end, the home side walked away again with a 2-1 margin of victory.

The Monarchs are back home on Friday, July 24th at 6 pm when they take on the Charlotte Eagles. That weekend, Real Maryland FC will have a special treat for fans as they take on C.D. Municipal from Guatemala in an International Friendly Match on Saturday, July 25th at 6 pm. All children and persons with disabilities will be admitted into Friday night’s match free of charge.

Real Maryland FC participates in the Second Division of the United Soccer Leagues. All 2009 Regular Season Home Games will be played at Lester Stadium at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, MD. For more information or tickets, please visit realmaryland.us or contact General Manager David Noyes at (301) 933-6460.

Real Maryland FC Wins Another at Home