LAFC2 battled to a 2-2 draw against Real Monarchs on Sunday afternoon at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah, then fell 5-4 in the penalty shootout in MLS NEXT Pro action.
The Black & Gold opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a Jacob Machuca goal that was assisted by midfielder Gavin Zambrano. LAFC2 went into halftime with a 1-0 lead over a Monarchs side that included MLS first-teamers Zach Booth and Pablo Ruiz. After the break, LAFC2's Zambrano was shown his second yellow card and sent off in the 51st minute. Real Monarchs leveled the score 10 minutes later.
Playing with ten men, the Black & Gold responded when Marius Aiyenero’s volley off a Sebastian Nava cross found the back of the net in the 88th minute to give LAFC2 a 2-1 lead. However, the shorthanded visitors were unable to fend off Lineker Rodrigues' 90th-minute equalizer, which tied the match at full time.
The third point was decided from the penalty spot, where Real Monarchs prevailed 5-4. LAFC2 earned one point from the outing and sits at 0W-1L-2D through its first three matches of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season.
Up next, the Black & Gold looks to earn its first win of the year as it takes on St. Louis CITY 2 on Sunday, March 22, at Energizer Park in St. Louis, MO.
