America First Field, Sandy, UT – RSL took to the pitch in their second match of the 2025 Leagues Cup phase 1 and had plenty of opportunities to wrap this up in regulation but once again we went to PKs to decide who would get 2 points and Rafael Cabral couldn’t followup his amazing last match with the same level of luck and result. The match was intense all night and RSL took an early lead off of a Braian Ojeda shot following a corner in the 9th minute. ASL leveled the score in the minute with a shot to the bottom corner of the net just out of Rafael Cabrals reach. Atletico scored first in the second half with a goal by Michael Garcia in the 82nd minute and Braian Ojeda answered in 88th minute to notch a brace for himself. At regulation we were all level and we went to penalty kicks. With RSL once again putting its defenders up for the PK shots they couldn’t reproduce the results that we enjoyed earlier this week from either the shot takers or the keeper and RSL went down in PKs 4-1.

Both clubs took the field with a lot of energy even with the flurry of matches they have both played in recently and San Luis looked like they wanted to prove a point to this surging RSL club. There were plenty of chances for both clubs but it was RSL that was able to strike first with a banger from Braian Ojeda in the 9th minute to give RSL the early lead off of a beautiful set piece. There were a couple more great chances that the claret and cobalt just couldn’t connect on before Atletico pulled even in the 24th minute with a shot to the lower corner of the net just out of Cabral’s reach. With the sides pretty well matched they left the pitch tied.

The second half started with the same intensity as the start of the match with RSL playing more agressive and pushing closer and closer to the ASL goal. The best early chance came when Diego Luna was awarded a PK in the 67th minute but he was not able to get it past the keeper and the match still sat at a draw. Things got scary in the 69th minute when Atletico on the counter was given a hard foul as he drove to the goal in a 2-1 against RSL but the referee waved it off as a quality move. A great buildup from RSL in the 81st minute looked so promising but they couldnt connect and minutes later Atletico was able to draw Cabral out of the net and Miguel Garcia headed the ball into an empty net to take the lead in the 82nd minute. Real looked to be on their heels but Braian Ojeda was the beneficiary of an amazing cross into the box that he hammered home to keep the home clubs chances alive. There was a little drama after the goal as Atletico thought that Hidalgo was offside but the goal stood and the affair was level. A late foul and yellow card for Miguel Garcia put Diego Luna right outside the box but he hit the ASL wall in a real heartbreak. The last play of regulation was a corner won by RSL taken by Diego Luna and even with a heroic bicycle kick that went wide. This one would be decided by penalty kicks.

After the goal keeping clinic put on by Cabral on Wednesday night he was once again asked to come up big for his squad. ASL was first with the PK attempts and the even with Cabral guessing correctly there was just too much pace to intercept. Brayan Vera was first for RSL and his shot careened off the crossbar. Next up for the Atletico try was a slow high shot that went right over Cabral. Justen Glad was up next his shot was deflected by Andres Sanchez to give ASL a 2-0 lead. The third attempt from Atletico was also good bringing up Johnny Russell with a must make effort. Russell drilled his try giving RSL a gasp of a chance as ASL once again approached for their try and an opportunity to end the match. This time it was too much for Cabral and RSL goes down on penalty kicks.

Real Salt Lake continues their Leagues Cup action this coming Wednesday, August 6 when they welcome Querataro to America First Field. RSL now has collected 3 points in 2 Leagues Cup matches.

Goals by Period           1  2  F
Real Salt Lake                 1  1  2
Atletico de San Luis      1  1  2

Scoring Summary
RSL – Braian Ojeda – 9′
ASL – Juan Pedro – 24′
ASL – Miguel Garcia – 82′
RSL – Braian Ojeda – 88′

Misconduct Summary
ASL – Ridrigo Dourado – 90’+1′ – poor sportsmanship
ASL – Miguel Garcia – 90’+4′ – foul

Officials
Referee: Nelson Salgado
Assistant Referee: Christian Ramirez
Assistant Referee: Walter Lopez Ramos
4th Official: Hector Said Martinez
Video Assistant Referee: Tatiana Guzman
AVAR: Dilia Bradley

Attendence: 16,637

Lineups

Real Salt Lake: Rafael Cabral; Justen Glad; Brayan Vera; Bode Hidalgo; Alex Katranis; Braian Ojeda; Pablo Ruiz (Emeka Eneli, 56′); Dominik Marczuk (Johnny Russell, 56′); Zavier Gozo; Diogo Goncalves (Diego Luna, 56′); William Agada

Substitutes Not Used: Kobi Henry; Tyler Wolff; Ariath Piol; Max Kerkvliet; Philip Quinton; Sam Junqua; Jesus Barea; Omar Marquez

Head Coach: Pablo Mastroeni

Atletico de San Luis: Andres Sanchez; Juan Ramirez; Juan Sanabria; Joao Geraldino; Mateo Klimowicz (Benjamin Gaidames, 57′); Rodrigo Dourado; Sebastian Salles-lomange (Jahazel Marchand, 86′); Oscar Macias (Roman Torres, 66′); Yan Oliveira (MIguel Garcia, 24′); Jose Suarez (Aido Cruz, 86′); Eduardo Aguila

Substitutes Not Used: Julio Dominguez; Carlos Rodas; Daniel Guillen; Cesar Lopez; Fidel Barajas; Sebastian Perez; Jonantan Villal

Head Coach: Guillermo Abascal

Tags: Atletico, Atletico de San Luis, Liga MX, Major League Soccer, MLS, Real Salt Lake, RSL