Real gets quick shot at redemption after disappointing weekend

On Saturday, the Monarchs (3-5-0) were originally slated to host the Cleveland City Stars, a team they had beaten three weeks prior. However — as has become unusually customary for the first-year squad — the weather didn’t cooperate. This time, repeated lightning strikes caused a 45-minute delay before the game began, and after only four minutes of play it postponed things for good until Sunday. In three out of the team’s four home games, rain, thunder or lightning have caused extensive delays.

The two teams met at 10 Sunday morning, playing in blistering, 98-degree temperatures. The Stars (5-1-3) turned up the heat late, scoring twice in the final eight minutes for a come-from-behind, 2-1 victory.

On Tuesday, the Monarchs faced the New York Pancyprian Freedoms, part of the United States Adult Soccer Association, at SoccerPlex in round one of the annual Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Real Maryland qualified for the national competition, featuring teams ranging from amateur status to Major League Soccer, with its victory over the Wilmington Hammerhead two weeks ago. That game ended too late to be included in this edition.

‘‘It’s a very, very important game for us — we have to go there and prove we can win these games, and personally I think we can,” said Real Maryland head coach Silvino Gonzalo. ‘‘For me the game was very important all along. The first goal of this team was to make the Open Cup. We are there now, so the second goal is to go through where you can face an MLS team, and the other goal is to qualify for playoffs at the end of season. Once you qualify, anything can happen.”

The Monarchs will have their work cut out for them to do get in the requisite top-four to make the playoffs, after their most difficult loss of the season. They drew first blood on Sunday, after a brilliant tactical play from midfielder Ronald Cerritos. The former MLS star received a pass from fellow El Salvadorian National Team midfielder Dennis Alas and outflanked defenders to the left end line. From there, he centered a gorgeous cross, which was knocked home in by striker Nilson Perez.

They would hold the lead for 84 minutes before disaster struck. First, Stars striker Sallieu Bundu quick-started a free kick around an unset Real Maryland wall and past keeper Emilio Zelaya for the equalizer. Then, in stoppage time, Cleveland City defender Mark Schulte used his 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame to bully his way to a free kick, heading in the game-winner moments before the final whistle.

‘‘We had the chances, we were there,” said Gonzalo. ‘‘I say we should have won the game, we generated and we had the opportunities. We made some mental mistakes in the midfield and marking.”