MEXICO CITY, Mexico (Saturday, August 30, 2025) - Real Salt Lake (0-1-2, 2pts.) claim another point with a its second scoreless draw in two matches against international opponents, this time with Pumas (0-1-2, 2pts) to close out its first series of group play.
Knowing it needed three points to stay competitive in its first-ever Torneo Internacional appearance, Real Salt Lake came out of the gate hungry for its first goal of the competition. A half-volley chance from Omar Marquez in the 8th minute was just the start for the Claret-and-Cobalt, which peppered the opposing goalkeeper with shots throughout the duration of the half.
RSL striker Chase Duke created the best chance of the half for either side, after RSL combined quickly up the pitch, countering a Pumas attack. Duke received the ball on the left, entering the final third with only the keeper to beat, going for goal, but Duke placed his shot wide of the far post.
RSL goalkeeper Konstantinos Kyriazis tallied a handful of crucial saves in the first half after not being selected for Friday’s match against Orlando City SC, to keep the scoreline level entering the break.
The Claret-and-Cobalt continued its momentum into the second half, dominating possession in the attacking end. In the 49th minute, momentum shifted to the LIGA MX side after Pumas countered RSL’s attack, playing a ball from the wing to the mouth of the goal to connect with an ongoing attacker, only to send the chance above the bar.
Two minutes later the official pointed to the spot, awarding Pumas a penalty after 2025 MLS NEXT “Double” champion outside back Anders Theurer was adjudged to have dragged his mark down. Moments later, Pumas attacker stepped up to the spot and blazed the penalty over the crossbar.
For the remainder of the half RSL sat primarily in its defensive half attempting to defend its net. Kyriazis and company managed to ride out multiple Pumas attempts to secure one point on the day.
Real Salt Lake now sit five points behind Group 2 leaders Orlando City SC, with four games remaining. Points are a premium for the remainder of the group stage as RSL looks to make a run to the final. The Claret-and-Cobalt will face Monterrey on Monday, September 1, following a day off on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:15 pm MT, with broadcast available via the LIGA BBVA MX YouTube Page.
Individual Leaders:
Goals: N/A
Assists: N/A
Clean Sheets: Kyriazis: 2
Group 2 Standings: Team (W-L-D) pts
- Orlando City SC (2-0-1) 7pts
- Club Atlético Peñarol (0-0-2) 2pts
- Real Salt lake (0-1-2) 2pts
- Selección Nacional de México - Sub 16 (0-1-2) 1pt
Real Salt Lake Fixtures: Results Italicized
8/28: Club Atlético Peñarol: 0-0
8/29: Orlando City SC: 0-2
8/30: Pumas UNAM: 0-0
9/1: Rayados de Monterrey
9/2: Selección Nacional de México - Sub 16
9/3: Santos Laguna
9/5: Necaxa
Real Salt Lake Academy is the official MLS NEXT affiliate of MLS side Real Salt Lake. After a historic 2024-25 season that saw RSL become the first academy to have a squad win both the Generation adidas Cup and MLS NEXT Cup in the same season, the group now looks to build upon a firm foundation. Leading Major League Soccer in all-time homegrown signings, RSL welcomed Omar Marquez, Aiden Hezarkhani, Owen Anderson, and Gio Villa in January of this year, all RSL Academy products as part of its 42 homegrown signings after inking their deals with the Claret-and-Cobalt.
