RSL Demolishes Rival, Roars Back Into Leagues Cup Contention
Real Salt Lake Crushes FC Juárez 3-0 to Finish Leagues Cup Group Play Strong
What Happended in a Nutshell
Real Salt Lake (RSL) — nicknamed the Claret-and-Cobalt — put on a show at home on Tuesday night. They beat FC Juárez 3-0 at America First Field in Sandy, Utah. This was their second huge win in a row after smashing Atlante FC 4-0 just three days earlier.
Important Point: RSL finished the group stage (called "Phase One") with 7 points from 3 games (2 wins, 0 losses, 1 draw). That puts them in a great spot to reach the knockout quarterfinals.
How the Game Went Down
First Half: Penalty Opens the Floodgates
- 29th minute — Star striker Morgan Guilavogui stepped up for a penalty kick and calmly slotted it home. 1-0 RSL.
- Juárez, who hadn’t lost yet in the tournament, looked shaken.
Second Half: Young Stars Take Over
- Sergi Solans (23, Spanish forward) scored a gorgeous chip over the goalkeeper — his second Leagues Cup goal in a row.
- 68th minute — Lineker Rodrigues, a brand-new signing from RSL’s reserve team (Real Monarchs), sealed the deal with a third goal. 3-0 final.
Meet the Rising Stars
| Player | Role | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Sergi Solans | Forward | 7 goals + 3 assists in 17 MLS games. Drafted #1 overall in 2025 SuperDraft. Coach calls him a "growth mindset guy." |
| Lineker Rodrigues | Forward | Just promoted from MLS NEXT Pro (the minor leagues). Scored in his big debut! |
| Morgan Guilavogui | DP Striker | "DP" = Designated Player (big-money signing). Cool as ice from the penalty spot. |
Coach Mastroeni’s Philosophy:
"Our job is to take pressure off young players so they can play their best. We’ve got a great track record developing kids."
— Pablo Mastroeni, RSL Head Coach
What’s Next for RSL?
The Waiting Game
- RSL doesn’t control their destiny anymore. They have 7 points.
- Other groups are still playing. RSL must wait to see if 7 points is enough to sneak into the Round of 16 as one of the best third-place teams.
Up Next: Back to Regular Season
- Saturday, 8:30 PM ET — RSL hosts Minnesota United FC at America First Field.
- Watch on Apple TV (MLS Season Pass).
- Coach says: "Control what you can. The rest is fate and chance. Hopefully a little luck gets us through."
Summary
RSL 3, FC Juárez 0 — Second straight blowout win.
7 points in Phase One — Strong position for knockout stage.
Young players shining — Solans (chip goal), Rodrigues (debut goal), Guilavogui (penalty).
Coach Mastroeni happy — Team playing "free" and "for each other."
Now we wait — Final group games decide if RSL advances.
Next up — Minnesota United on Saturday (Apple TV).
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What is the Leagues Cup?
It’s a tournament where all MLS teams (USA/Canada) play against Liga MX teams (Mexico). Think of it like the "World Cup" for North American club soccer.
What does "Phase One" mean?
It’s the group stage. Teams play 3 games in small groups. Top teams advance to the knockout rounds (single elimination).
Who is a "DP" (Designated Player)?
MLS has a salary cap, but each team can sign up to 3 players whose wages don’t fully count against the cap. These are your superstars — like Morgan Guilavogui.
What is MLS NEXT Pro?
It’s the official reserve league for MLS. Think of it as "Triple-A baseball" for soccer. Lineker Rodrigues played for Real Monarchs (RSL’s affiliate) before getting called up.
How can I watch RSL’s next game?
Saturday vs. Minnesota United → 8:30 PM ET on Apple TV (requires MLS Season Pass subscription).
Go RSL!