Real Salt Lake aims to sweep LAFC in midweek match

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — Real Salt Lake is back on the road to face conference rival LAFC on Wednesday night, July 17.

The two teams are part of a three-way tie for first place in the Western Conference alongside LA Galaxy. A win could create some much-needed breathing room as both teams seek to secure home playoff berths.

In their last meeting on March 2, RSL beat LAFC 3-0 at America First Field in Sandy, courtesy of two goals from Andres Gomez and a three-assist performance from Diego Luna. The match was played in heavy snowfall with RSL Captain and former LAFC striker Chicho Arrango celebrating his goal by making a snow angel in front of the home fans.

Playing in LA will not be easy for Real Salt Lake, however. LAFC has two All-Stars on their roster goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who won the World Cup with France in 2018, and winger Denis Bouanga, who leads his club with 14 goals and nine assists. LA’s attacking midfielder Mateusz Bogusz is also having a career year, contributing 12 goals and six assists so far in the 2024 season.

But, LAFC is coming off a disappointing 5-1 loss to Columbus on Saturday and will face Real Salt Lake without two of its starting defenders. Center-back Jesus Murillo and right-back Sergi Palencia both picked up red cards against Columbus and are suspended for Wednesday night’s game against RSL.

Real Salt Lake, however, is also coming off of a defeat. The Utah-side was shut out, 3-0, on the road in Portland on Saturday. RSL will be without the services of Chicho Arrango, the MLS leading goal scorer, who will begin serving a four-match suspension for a violation of league policy. It was not immediately made clear what violation Arrango made.

Kickoff between RSL and LAFC is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. at BMO Field in Los Angeles. The match will be broadcast on FS1 and for free on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.

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