Phoenix Rising FC’s three-match unbeaten streak to start the season came to a close Saturday night when Sebastian Velasquez’s second half goal was all Real Monarchs SLC needed in a 1-0 victory over Phoenix Rising in front of 6,531 at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex.

STARTING XI (4-1-4-1) (SUBS): GK- Carl Woszczynski; D- Amadou Dia (L), Doueuegi Mala (C), Mike da Fonte (C), Kody Wakasa (R); DM- Kevon Lambert: MF- Jason Johnson (L) (Didier Drogba 75), Colin Fernandez (C), Gladson Awako (C) (Billy Forbes 68), Solomon Asante (R); F- Jason Johnson.

SUBS NOT USED: GK-Zac Lubin; D- Joseph Farrell, Victor Vasquez; MF- Evan Waldrep, Luca Ricci.

GAME SUMMARY: The game started slowly, with Phoenix Rising generating the first chance 12 minutes into the match., when Colin Fernandez got a shot off of a short corner kick that ended up in the hands of Real Monarchs keeper Connor Sparrow. Real Monarchs’ first chance came in the 25th minutes when Chandler Hoffman had an attempt in the box that went over the net. Phoenix Rising’s best chance came in the 27th minute when Fernandez hit a free kick into the box where Jason Johnson got a header on it but Sparrow was equally up to the task with a great save. Phoenix Rising’s best chances in the first half came off the foot of Gladson Awako in the 33rd and 34th minutes. Awako first hit the crossbar with a shot and followed it up a minute later with a solid shot that Sparrow had to parry over the bar.

Phoenix Rising got the first chance in the second half when Solomon Asante used his speed to get around the Real Monarchs defender and got a shot on that was saved by Sparrow. Real Monarchs would get on the board first in the 56th minute when Sebastian Velasquez took a pass from Michael Chang and drilled the ball into the upper 90 where Carl Woszczynski had no chance to give the visitors the 1-0 lead. Didier Drogba, in as a 75th minute sub for Johnson, had a chance in the 82nd minute with a header but missed wide. Then in the 90th minute, Phoenix’s best chance to draw came from Fernnandez, whose shot just went over the bar and out for a goal kick. Four minutes of added time failed to produce a tying goal.

NEXT UP: Phoenix Rising has a quick turnaround as they travel to Carson, Calif. to take on LA Galaxy II at the Stubhub Center Track and Field Stadium Wednesday night. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.