Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake kicks off its Leagues Cup 2024 campaign against Liga MX’s Atlas on Thursday night at America First Field.
RSL will be hoping that their league form does not carry over into the summer competition as they have gone clean with just one point from their last three games. The Western Conference team has plenty of power up front even without star striker Cristian ‘Chicho’ Arango, who will miss the game after violating MLS’s Anti-Abuse Policy.
Atlas, on the other hand, collected three big points in their League Cup opener 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 it is 90 minReal Salt Lake vs Atlas preview.
Current form (all competitions)
|
The 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 |
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The country |
TV channel/live streaming |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
Apple TV – MLS Season Pass |
|
United States |
Apple TV – MLS Season Pass |
|
Canada |
Apple TV + |
As previously mentioned, Arango will miss the tournament as part of a four-game suspension. Arango should be available for selection for RSL’s next League Cup group stage match against Dynamo on August 5.
Midfielder Pablo Ruiz is still recovering from a knee injury he suffered in June, and the 25-year-old is expected to return in the next few weeks.
Real Salt Lake predicted to face Atlas (4-2-3-1): MacMath; Brody, Gd, Vera, Katranis; Eneli, Ojeda; Gomez, Crooks, Luna; Julio.
Atlas will have to make do without shortstop Brian Lozano for most of August, as the 30-year-old is dealing with a knee injury.
Atlas predicted schedule 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 with Atlas already having three points on the board, they may be flowing with confidence heading into the country.
Atlas is much better than RSL and with Colombia national team stopper Camilo Vargas in goal, they may look unlikely to win a second game in a row.
Prediction: Real Salt Lake 1-2 Atlas
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