Real Salt Lake closed out Phase One of its 2026 Leagues Cup campaign with a win on Tuesday, defeating visiting Mexican side FC Juarez, 3-0, at America First Field. RSL ended the night in second place of the MLS table with 7 points, awaiting results in the remaining Leagues Cup Phase One matches on Wednesday and Thursday to determine if the Utah side will advance to the quarterfinal stage.
Clinical forwards give Real Salt Lake crucial three points
Real Salt Lake’s forwards were the difference on Tuesday, showcasing poise in front of goal en route to the 3-0 victory. The night was headlined by a first-ever RSL goal for Lineker Rodrigues, who scored the Claret-and-Cobalt’s third goal on the night, providing the dagger. Rodrigues, who recently signed his MLS deal with RSL, has been a key player for the Real Monarchs this season in MLS NEXT Pro, only recently earning time with the first team. Despite logging a total of 53 minutes with RSL prior to Tuesday, Rodrigues earned a start and took little time to make an impact on the big stage.
Strikers Morgan Guilavogui and Sergi Solans each got on the scoresheet against Juarez, making the most of their 45 minutes on the pitch. In the first half, Guilavogui converted a penalty in the 29th minute, marking his first goal since April 18 against San Diego. With his conversion, the French-born Guinean international has now logged a goal contribution in four consecutive games, adding to a hot streak that featured assists against Atlante FC, Tigres UANL and Portland Timbers. Solans entered in place of Guilavogui in the second half, scoring with an exquisite chip in the 53rd minute. The Spanish forward continues to amaze in his rookie campaign, scoring 11 goals across all competitions, including three in his four August matches.
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“The biggest positive for me is the way we defended with the lead. That’s been something that’s been our Achilles’ heel,” RSL head coach Pablo Mastroeni said. “The mentality for this group, there’s been a big change, and that’s the biggest takeaway for me.”
“After we tied at home (against Tigres) the goal was just to win these next two games to have a chance to qualify. We went in with the mentality that we needed to win at home,” RSL Forward Lineker Rodrigues said.
Game summary
The Claret-and-Cobalt started fast on Tuesday night, creating a number of chances in the early moments of the match. The home side finally found its breakthrough goal in the 29th minute, when Uruguayan international JuanMa Sanabria won a penalty when his cross was blocked by a handball in the box. Designated Player Guilavogui stepped up and converted from the spot with a thundering finish to the top right corner, giving Real Salt Lake a 1-0 lead that the team carried into the break.
At the half, rookie Sergi Solans came on in place of the goal scorer Guilavogui, and it took the Spaniard little time to make an impact. In the 53rd minute, Solans received a pass from Sanabria, turning away from his defender with a skillful right-footed touch. Alone with the keeper, Solans used his left foot to chip the keeper, extending the home side’s lead to 2-0. Soon after in the 68th, Lineker Rodrigues scored RSL’s third with a finish to the near-post after a cross from DeAndre Yedlin. Juarez was unable to find a way back into the match, and the Utah side soared to its second win in four days. After scoring seven goals in its last two games, RSL hopes its goal difference will be enough to earn a spot in the upcoming Leagues Cup quarterfinal round.
Up next
Real Salt Lake returns to MLS play this Saturday, Aug. 15, to host Minnesota United FC (6-6-6, 24 points, 10th West) at America First Field in what will be RSL’s fourth consecutive home game in a 15-day span. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. MDT, with tickets available for purchase at RSL.com.
