“We believe in our group, and we’re ready to take this challenge,” said Pablo Mastroeni, Real Salt Lake's head coach, ahead of the match. The Claret and Cobalt are four days removed from a 3-0 defeat to LAFC in January, a result that has since helped LAFC climb to the top of the Western Conference by a single point.
The battle between the two teams at BMO Stadium on Wednesday could have major implications for the playoff picture. Real Salt Lake has not won a road game against LAFC since July 2023 and now has the chance to break that streak. A victory would elevate them above the defending champions and into the top three in the conference.
This match marks Real Salt Lake’s return to action after the World Cup break, and the team has been building momentum in a three-match unbeaten stretch. Meanwhile, LAFC is coming off a high-energy 3-0 victory over the LA Galaxy in their last outing, with Marco Delgado, Son Heung-min, and Denis Bouanga all contributing to the win.
The series history is in LAFC’s favor, with all three 2025 matchups going to the home side. But injuries to key players like Igor Jesus, Sergi Palencia, and Timothy Tillman may give Real Salt Lake the slight edge. The Claret and Cobalt are eager to prove they can contend at the top of the league, even in one of the most challenging venues.
Fans can watch the match live on FOX Deportes or FOX Sports 1, or via streaming through Fubo, which offers a free trial to access the broadcast. The game kicks off at 10:30 PM EDT on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.