Real Salt Lake triumphed over Atlante FC with a 4-0 win in its second of three 2026 Leagues Cup matches. The victory was a result of four different goal-scorers; Spanish-international Sergi Solans, Utah-native Zach Booth, defender Lukas Engel and Argentine-midfielder Pablo Ruiz. The win gave Salt Lake three points in the North American tournament and a victory over Atlante FC during their first-ever matchup.
In Colorado, the Utah Royals fell to Denver Summit FC 2-1 in its second-ever meeting against the expansion team. The lone goal was courtesy of Royals’ defender Tatumn Milazzo, who notched her fourth goal of the 2026 season.
RSL secures dominant victory
RSL Head coach Pablo Maestroni made six changes to the starting lineup since last Tuesday’s loss to Tigres UANL, the Club’s first match of the Leagues Cup tournament. Inserted into the lineup was Solans, Booth and star Diego Luna.
Salt Lake found their first of many successes in the 17th minute when Luna made his way up the left side of the pitch to find Solans in the middle, who slotted the ball home for his first against the Liga MX rivals. Solans is a key part of Salt Lake’s attack, leading the Club in regular season goals with 7 in only his rookie season.
Coming back from halftime, Luna sent a ball over to Booth who took a shot from outside the box that ripped into the net in the 50th minute. Just minutes later, RSL forward Morgan Guilavogui found Danish fullback Engel who found the back of the net from the center of the box in the 54th minute, giving RSL a 3-0 lead.
To punctuate the win, Ruiz notched his second goal in back-to-back games with a left-footed attempt that found the back of the net in the 90th minute. The 4-0 win not only secured RSL a victory during the Leagues Cup tournament, but also gave goalkeeper Rafael Cabral a clean sheet and the Club’s first four-goal win since 2024.
Quotable:
“I know that Luna always looks for me and I know I had movement, so I was free, and then it was an easy finish,” Solans said of his 10th goal on the season. “I’m happy and not happy at the same time, because I always want more (goals), but I also don’t need to put pressure on myself for my first year. I think I’m doing a great job.”
“I’m just really happy to contribute to the team in any way I can. Putting balls away and helping us stay in games is all I can ask for and it feels really good to do for the team,” Milazzo said.
Utah Royals lose Rocky Mountain Rivalry
Royals Head coach Jimmy Coenraets made one change to the starting lineup from the Royals’ 5-1 win against the Portland Thorns last Sunday, inserting Spanish-international Ana Tejada into the midfield.
The Royals started the match strong defensively, with goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn making crucial saves in the 23rd and 25th minutes. Royals’ attacker Kiana Palacios made an attempt on goal in the 35th minute right after the hydration break that didn’t quite convert.
Despite a slow first half, Denver came back from halftime with renewed determination. Yazmeen Ryan quickly found the net, scoring in the 50th minute, and gaining a 1-0 lead over the Royals.
In the 68th minute, Utah native Brecken Mozingo was subbed in, marking her 50th NWSL appearance, all with the Utah Royals. Mozingo is in her third season with Utah, having joined the roster in her rookie season and the Club’s first year since returning as a franchise. The Royals found their equalizer in the 89th minute when Mozingo passed up to captain Kate Del Fava in the box, who headed the ball to defender Tatumn Milazzo. Milazzo took a touch with her left foot before slotting the ball home with a right-footed shot. The goal marks Milazzo’s fourth of the 2026 season, after she scored during the season opener against the Kansas City Current.
Denver found another opportunity in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Summit’s Janine Sonis scored off a free kick, giving her team the 2-1 victory over the Royals.
Up next
RSL will finish out their third game in a trio of Leagues Cup matches against Liga MX team FC Juárez on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 7:30 p.m. MDT. The following weekend Utah soccer will be in full swing at home when the Utah Royals host Bay FC on Friday, Aug. 14 at 8 p.m. MDT and Real Salt Lake hosts Minnesota United FC on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m. MDT all at America First Field. Tickets are available for purchase at RSL.com.
