Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake begin their Leagues Cup 2024 journey when they take on Liga MX outfit Atlas Thursday night at America First Field.
RSL will hope that their league form doesn't carry over into the summer tournament as they've come up empty-handed with just one point from their last three matches. The Western Conference team have plenty of firepower up front even without star striker Cristian 'Chicho' Arango, who will miss the match after he violated MLS' Anti-Harassment Policy.
Atlas, on the other hand, picked up three huge points in their opening Leagues Cup fixture against MLS side Houston Dynamo last weekend. Second-half substitute Jose Lozano would go on to score the winning goal in the 83rd minute as Atlas now have one foot in the Round of 32 at the top of West Group 8.
Here's 90min's preview of Real Salt Lake vs Atlas.
Current form (all competitions)
Real Salt Lake | Atlas |
|---|---|
Colorado Rapids 3-2 Real Salt Lake - 20/07/2024 | Houston Dynamo 0-1 Atlas - 27/07/2024 |
LAFC 1-1 Real Salt Lake - 17/07/2024 | Puebla 1-2 Atlas - 19/07/2024 |
Portland Timbers 3-0 Real Salt Lake - 13/07/2024 | Atlas 1-0 Santos Laguna - 16/07/2024 |
Real Salt Lake 5-2 Atlanta United - 06/07/2024 | Atlas 1-1 Tigres UANL - 12/07/2024 |
Real Salt Lake 3-2 Houston Dynamo - 03/07/2024 | FC Juarez 2-2 Atlas - 05/07/2024 |
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | Apple TV - MLS Season Pass |
United States | Apple TV - MLS Season Pass |
Canada | Apple TV + |
As mentioned previously, Arango will miss the contest due that's part of a four-match suspension . Arango should be available for selection for RSL's next match in the Leagues Cup group stage against the Dynamo on August 5.
Midfielder Pablo Ruiz is still recovering from a knee injury suffered back in June, and the 25-year-old is expected to return in the next couple of weeks.
Real Salt Lake predicted lineup vs Atlas ( 4-2-3-1 ): MacMath; Brody, Glad, Vera, Katranis; Eneli, Ojeda; Gomez, Crooks, Luna; Julio.
Atlas will have to make do without winger Brian Lozano for most of August, as the 30-year-old is dealing with a knee injury.
Atlas predicted lineup vs Real Salt Lake ( 4-2-3-1 ): Vargas; Dominguez, Gaddi Aguirre, Doria, Reyes; Rocha, Rios; Murillo, Marquez, Fulgencio; Eduardo Aguirre.
Both sides have talent all over the pitch, but as Atlas already have three points on the board, they just might be flowing with confidence heading into this one.
Atlas are a little more well-rounded than RSL and with Colombia national team shot-stopper Camilo Vargas in goal, they could prove to be hard to beat for the second match in a row.
Prediction: Real Salt Lake 1-2 Atlas