HERRIMAN, Utah (Thur., Oct. 15, 2026) - Real Salt Lake newcomer Luc de Fougerolles has been named to MLSsoccer.com’s Matchday 30 Best XI, honoring a standout performance in his first-ever MLS start and home debut Wednesday.
Following a sensational and determined 45-minute performance off the bench Saturday in Philadelphia, the Canadian World Cup defender’s MLS debut, Real Salt Lake Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni tapped de Fougerolles for the start in his first home match for the Claret-and-Cobalt.
From the opening whistle, de Fougerolles was omnipresent, defending relentlessly while pushing forward confidently and repeatedly with the ball at his feet. In the 11th minute, RSL attacker Saba Lobanidze opted to play the RSL free kick in the attacking half to de Fougerolles, rushing near post to the top of the box. The 21-year-old Fulham loanee volleyed the service, striking the outside of the post, denying him the opening goal of his Real Salt Lake career.
However, de Fougerolles found the woodwork again - while converting the goal opportunity - in the 79th minute, firing a shot from the right side of the box after a corner kick buildup from RSL, this time striking the inside of the post and finding the back of the net for what appeared to be game-winner.
In the action immediately surrounding the goal, de Fougerolles suffered a lower leg injury, forcing his night to end early. Real Salt Lake would go on to concede a heartbreaking equalizer in the 95+ minute, claiming just one point on the night.
With just five 2026 MLS reg. season matches remaining, RSL likely needs four wins in the final five to extend its active five-year postseason qualification streak. Real Salt Lake now travel to Sporting Park in Kansas City this Saturday, October 17, in a Western Conference rivalry matching up the MLS Cup 2013 opponents. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. MT, streaming on Apple TV.
The complete Matchday 30 results for MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Matchday can be found below.
F: Dor Turgeman (NE), Bruno Damiani (PHI), Denis Bouanga (LAFC)
M: Son Heung-Min (LAFC), Marco Reus (LA), Hany Mukhtar (NSH), Guilherme (HOU)
D: Silvan Hefti (DC), Luc de Fougerolles (RSL), Andy Nájar (NSH)
GK: Daniel (DAL)
Coach: B.J. Callaghan (NSH)
Bench: Dayne St. Clair (MIA), Josh Wynder (NE), Rodrigo De Paul (MIA), Giuliano Galoppo (ATL), Brais Méndez (CLB), Peyton Miller (NE), Theo Corbeanu (TOR), Antoine Griezmann (ORL), Tai Baribo (DC)
