RSL Mounts Come Back to Defeat Atlas FC 2-1 in 2024 Leagues Cup Opener

August 2, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Real Monarchs News Release

SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake defeated Atlas FC (Liga MX – Mexico) 2-1 in RSL’s opening match of the 2024 Leagues Cup, a 79th-minute world-class strike from substitute MF **Nelson Palacio** providing the winner in front of yet another sold-out, standing-room only crowd of 20,956 at America First Field.

Despite a five-save first half from 19-year-old GK **Gavin Beavers**, it looked as though Atlas would hit the locker room with the halftime lead, the Mexican side scoring on a quick counterattack finished off by Luis Reyes in the 26th minute. Regaining control of the play with just seconds left in the first half, RSL snatched an equalizer out of thin Utah air with a beautiful cross-header connection between **Andrés Gómez** and **Anderson Julio** in the 45+2′ minute.

In a contentious back-and-forth second half that saw both teams struggle to manufacture chances, it seemed as though the match might be heading to decisive penalty kicks. Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni inserted Palacio in the 78th minute. Just a minute later, Palacio unleashed a world-class strike from nearly 40 yards out that soared over the defense and perfectly into the top corner with unbelievable pace, the “spider-killer” clearing the upper 90 cobwebs, providing instant eruption in the stands.

The strike would prove to be the match-winner, as RSL thoroughly controlled the match for the remaining minutes to earn the full three points and deny Atlas advancement to the knockout rounds just yet. The statsheet tells a story of two teams battling for every inch, RSL and Atlas within one of each other in shots, shots on goal, saves and fouls.

RSL will continue its quest for hardware in the second match of its Leagues Cup campaign on Monday, August 5, on the road at Houston Dynamo.

GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:

ATS – 26′ – Luis Reyes (Ángel Márquez): In a seemingly unthreatening position with RSL controlling possession deep in their defensive zone, a mistake sent it out of bounds when the nearest Atlas player sprinted into action to catch RSL off guard with a quick throw. Launching it to his man at the edge of the box, he quickly sprayed it into the center. Harassed with physical play by Salt Lake defenders, it was then sent out wide left out wide left by Ángel Márquez when Luis Reyes charged onto it, blasting a low, cross-body shot that beat Beavers to the far post.

RSL – 45+2′ – Anderson Julio (Andrés Gómez): Deep into first-half…