The Monarchs stayed with nine of the starters from last week’s draw with Sacramento in their home opener. Noah Powder came in at left back to replace Donny Toia and Tate Schmitt came down from RSL in place of Pablo Ruiz. Schmitt started on the right wing and Jack Blake moved further back in midfield leaving Martinez, Schmitt, Palma and Chang as the point of the Monarchs’ attack.
Neither side displayed much urgency in the opening stages of the match, but the Monarchs struggled mightily in the transition from defense to offense. The Locomotive were the more physical of the two sides and had the greater part of play through the initial 25 minutes.