SANDY, Utah – Moments after checking into a 1-1 game, Nelson Palacio sent the home crowd into a frenzy with a top-shelf blast to give RSL a 78th-minute lead.
Real Salt Lake is hosting Mexican power Atlas FC at America First Field on Thursday, August 1.
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NELSON PALACIO FROM DEEP 🤯
Salt Lake up 2-1 on Atlas! #LeaguesCup2024 pic.twitter.com/rf5zEyhtbr
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 2, 2024
Moments after taking the pitch, Palacio boomed a ball from well outside the box past a flailing Camilo Vargas. The goal gave Real Salt Lake a 2-1 lead and a chance at three points in its first Leagues Cup match.
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Andrés Gómez assisted Anderson Julio late in the first half for RSL’s first goal. Atlas took a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute before Real found its footing.
Real Salt Lake Hosts Atlas FC In Leagues Cup
Real Salt Lake (12-5-8, 44 points, 3rd West) opens the 2024 Leagues Cup play against Mexican power Atlas FC. This is the second time in three seasons that the Claret & Cobalt has faced Atlas. The 2022 match is remembered by many for a 78-yard scoring strike from homegrown RSL talent Aaron Herrera in a 2-1 loss.
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RSL is (8-2-1) in the Beehive state in 2024 and holds a (4-6-3) record against Mexican opponents in friendlies, CONCACAF Champions League, and Leagues Cup competitions.
Real Salt Lake wraps up the West 8 group stage when they take on the Houston Dynamo on Monday, August 5. MLS Golden Boot leader Chicho Arango is scheduled to return from suspension against Houston.
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Real Salt Lake continues Leagues Cup play against the Houston Dynamo on Monday, August 5. Kickoff for this match is at 7 p.m. MT. RSL continues MLS play against the San Jose Quakes on Saturday, August 24.
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