Real Salt Lake Fall 2-1 to Liga MX Champs Atlas FC

September 23, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Real Salt Lake News Release

SANDY, Utah – Despite an historic, highlight-reel goal from 70 yards out by Homegrown defender Aaron Herrera, a short-handed Real Salt Lake side fell 2-1 at home to Liga MX Champions Atlas FC in the final 2022 Leagues Cup Showcase contest of the year.

Postgame Video: Pablo Mastroeni and Aaron Herrera

With the loss, RSL falls to an all-time 3W-7L-4T record against Mexican visitors, and an 18W-13L-11T overall international record, including both Leagues Cup losses (2019 v Tigres). Atlas FC was the 30th different foreign opponent from 16 countries to comprise the 42 Claret-and-Cobalt games against international competition, including Leagues Cup, CONCACAF Champions League and friendly exhibitions during the last 18 years.

Real Salt Lake started out on the front foot, nearly scoring in the eighth minute when midfielder Jasper Loffelsend hit a short, curling cross to RSL Homegrown Bode Hidalgo, who headed down a bouncing header that was tipped just over the crossbar by Atlas FC goalkeeper Jose Hernandez. Just a few minutes later, the Claret-and-Cobalt opened the scoring in stunning fashion, in the 17th minute, when Herrera – with 180+ MLS reg. season games under his belt, but only one goal – caught Hernandez off his line and hit a rocket from inside his own half, sailing it over the Atlas defense and into the back of the net. RSL nearly doubled its tally about ten minutes later when quick build up saw Hidalgo make a short cross to midfielder Pablo Ruiz, but his volley skipped just wide of the right post.

In a controversial call, winger Justin Meram was shown a straight red card for a high kick going into the chest of an Atlas player in the 37th minute, leaving the Club shorthanded the rest of the match. Shortly thereafter, Atlas found the equalizer with midfielder Edgar Zaldivar scoring off an initial save from goalkeeper Tomas Gomez. The two sides entered the halftime break tied at 1-1.

In the second frame of play, Real Salt Lake and Atlas FC traded shots and possession but neither side was able to find a breakthrough until the 72nd minute when second-half substitute Lucas Rodriguez fired a shot into the top shelf to give Atlas the 2-1 lead. With RSL playing with 10 men, the Club was unable to find the equalizer, ending 2-1 in favor of the away side.

UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake return to MLS regular-season action on Saturday, October 1 at 8:30 p.m. MT against LA Galaxy before returning…