Real Monarchs open USL playoffs with No. 1 seed, favorite status

The Real Monarchs popped Champagne and tossed beer in the plastic-lined locker room. They passed around the silver shield with the large USL engraved in the center.“It was so exciting to see the guys celebrate as a team, see the coach actually have a smile on his face for once,” veteran midfielder Sebastian Velasquez joked. “It was a great feeling.”The Real Monarchs claimed the club’s first piece of hardware in its three-year history two weeks ago with the best regu