LAFC Defeats Real Salt Lake 3-1 in Midweek Western Conference Clash

On July 22, 2026 at BMO Stadium, Los Angeles FC (LAFC) secured a 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake. Son Heung-Min opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a left-footed shot into the bottom corner. Denis Bouanga doubled the lead in the 40th minute after a quick transition and a pass from Mathieu Choinière. An own goal by DeAndre Yedlin in the 68th minute made it 3-0. RSL’s lone reply came from Lukas Engel, who netted his first club goal in the 86th minute.

CBS NewsReal Salt Lake Suffers 3-1 Setback at LAFC in MLS Return Son vs. Luna: LAFC host Real Salt Lake in midweek showdown LAFC and Real Salt Lake collide in Western Conference blockbuster

The match marked the first competitive fixture after the league’s pause for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. LAFC entered the game on a high note, having delivered a 3-0 “El Tráfico” win over the LA Galaxy the previous week. Both clubs are vying for Western Conference supremacy: LAFC sits third with 27 points (8-5-3) and RSL is fourth with 26 points (8-4-2).

Son vs. Luna: LAFC host Real Salt Lake in midweek showdown

• July 15 – RSL head coach Pablo Mastroeni kept the same XI that earned a 4-1 friendly win over Burnley FC, marking only the third back-to-back lineup of the season.

Real Salt Lake Suffers 3-1 Setback at LAFC in MLS Return

• July 22, 2026 – Match events unfold as detailed in the Core Event section, with RSL debutant Georgian international Saba Lobjanidze providing an assist for Engel’s goal after entering in the second half.

Real Salt Lake Suffers 3-1 Setback at LAFC in MLS Return

• Final score: LAFC 3, RSL 1.

Real Salt Lake Suffers 3-1 Setback at LAFC in MLS Return

• Goal scorers: Son Heung-Min (11´), Denis Bouanga (40´), DeAndre Yedlin (own goal, 68´); Lukas Engel (86´).

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• Assists: Mathieu Choinière to Bouanga; Saba Lobjanidze to Engel.

Real Salt Lake Suffers 3-1 Setback at LAFC in MLS Return

• Goalkeeper performance: Hugo Lloris, who leads MLS with nine shutouts this season, recorded six saves for LAFC (record 9-5-3).

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• RSL goalkeeper Rafael Cabral made one save.

Real Salt Lake Suffers 3-1 Setback at LAFC in MLS Return

• LAFC’s attacking duo of Son and Bouanga each contributed to the first-half lead, extending their early-season impact.

Son vs. Luna: LAFC host Real Salt Lake in midweek showdown

• “If you win, especially a big game against a rival in a derby match, you kind of want to bask in that a little more and enjoy that and celebrate it,” — Aaron Long

LAFC and Real Salt Lake collide in Western Conference blockbuster

• “I think we have a great deal of exciting players in the attack,” — Pablo Mastroeni, lake head coach

LAFC and Real Salt Lake collide in Western Conference blockbuster