By Isabella Rubis
Real Salt Lake will once again take the pitch in the 2025 Leagues Cup, marking its third consecutive appearance since the tourney became an official CONCACAF competition in 2023, with RSL impressively reaching the Round of 16 in its debut year. From the very beginning, RSL was among the first invited to join the MLS‑vs‑Liga MX invitational, its continued presence since 2023 underscoring the Club’s consistency at the top end of the MLS standings. RSL secured a fifth-place Western Conference finish in 2024, earning one of the coveted 18 MLS slots for this year’s Cup.
The 2025 Leagues Cup, running from July 29 to August 31, will feature 18 MLS teams and 18 Liga MX sides, with RSL positioned in a “Western 2” pod alongside top Mexican sides such as Club América. Following impressive performances in prior editions, including a memorable 3-1 victory over Club León after a 24-hour weather delay in 2023, RSL is poised to leverage its deep roster under Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni as it seeks continental glory this summer.
Now, let’s take a look back at Real Salt Lake’s long-running history in the Leagues Cup, a journey that’s seen Real Salt Lake grow from early invitees to consistent contenders on the regional stage.
2023
Real Salt Lake made its Leagues Cup debut in 2023, entering the newly expanded tournament with a strong opening performance. The Claret-and-Cobalt kicked off group stage play in dominant fashion, earning a convincing 3-0 win over fellow MLS side Seattle Sounders. Former RSL attackers Jefferson Savarino and Cristian Arango each scored early in the second half, with Guatemalan international Rubio Rubin providing the late dagger.
However, momentum stalled in its second match, as RSL fell 3-0 to Liga MX powerhouse CF Monterrey. Despite the setback, RSL advanced to the Round of 32 as the second-place team in its group. There, it delivered one of its most memorable wins of the season—a dramatic 3-1 comeback victory over reigning CONCACAF Champions Club León. A brace from former striker Danny Musovski and another Arango goal paced RSL to the come-from-behind win, an emotional affair that saw kickoff delayed by 24 hours due to extended lightning storms on the Wasatch Front.
RSL’s tournament run ultimately came to an end in the Round of 16, where the club suffered a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Los Angeles FC in a game marred by an eighth-minute non-contact injury to metronome Pablo Ruiz.
2024
Last year, Real Salt Lake once again took the international stage, looking to build on its previous year’s experience. Opening the tournament with an impressive 2-1 comeback victory over Liga MX side Atlas FC, RSL showcased its trademark resilience and attacking quality, with Nelson Palacio hitting an absolute ZAPATAZO off the bench to provide the game-winner, on the heels of a first-half stoppage-time equalizer by former fan-favorite Anderson Julio.
Despite the strong start, RSL’s hopes of advancing were dashed in the final group stage match, where it suffered a decisive 3-0 away defeat to Houston Dynamo. The loss by that exact scoreline, eliminated RSL from the tournament, bringing a shockingly early end to its 2024 Leagues Cup campaign.
A Look at RSL’s Opponents Heading into League’s Cup Group Play
Real Salt Lake will now host three Liga MX teams in the group stage of this year's Leagues Cup. They are: Club América, Atlético San Luis and Querétaro FC.
Club América
Club América is one of the most storied and successful football clubs in Mexico and all of North America. Based in Mexico City and founded in 1916, the team plays its home matches at the iconic Estadio Azteca. Known for their distinctive yellow and blue colors, Las Águilas (The Eagles) have built a legacy of excellence with a record number of Liga MX titles (17) and multiple CONCACAF Champions Cup victories (7). With a passionate fan base, a deep roster of international talent, and a fierce competitive spirit, Club América consistently ranks among the top clubs in the region and remains a dominant force in both domestic and international tournaments.
RSL and Club América are no strangers to each other, having faced off in 2009 during the Xango Cup, a friendly tournament series from the Club’s early days in Utah. Real Salt Lake came out on top in the match, defeating Club América 1-0 with RSL legend Javier Morales scoring the winning goal in support of a Nick Rimando clean sheet during RSL’s MLS Cup-winning campaign.
Wednesday’s showdown is sure to draw an immense crowd to America First Field, as fans from all over the U.S. and Mexico flock to witness two powerhouse clubs clash in a high-stakes Leagues Cup battle.
Atlético San Luis
Atlético San Luis - once home to former RSL man Anderson Julio and now the new club for 2024 RSL wunderkind Fidel Barajas - is a young yet ambitious football club based in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, founded in May, 2013, to restore top-tier soccer to the city following the departure of San Luis FC. Backed by a majority investment from Atlético de Madrid since 2017, the club has embraced its Spanish partner’s identity and developmental philosophy, adopting red-and-white colors and benefiting from shared talent pathways. After earning promotion to Liga MX in 2019 via back-to-back Ascenso MX titles, Atlético San Luis has steadily grown into a competitive force in Mexico’s top division.
With no prior meetings between the two clubs, this match marks the beginning of a brand-new chapter in international play for both sides. As RSL hosts the Liga MX outfit at America First Field, fans will witness the start of what could become a compelling interleague rivalry. The encounter offers both teams a fresh opportunity to set the tone in the head-to-head history between the two and make an early statement on the Leagues Cup stage.
Querétaro
Querétaro Fútbol Club, affectionately nicknamed “Gallos Blancos” (White Roosters) and “Los Albiazules” (The White-and-Blues), is a storied Liga MX team based in Querétaro. Founded on July 8, 1950, the club was one of the original members of Mexico’s Segunda División, earning its rooster-inspired nickname early on due to its tenacious playing style. Despite never securing a Liga MX title, the club’s greatest achievement came in the Clausura Tournament in 2015, when it finished as runners-up, marking its first-ever appearance in a league final. Over the decades, “Los Gallos Blancos” have built a reputation for resilience, surviving relegation battles, and cultivating identity through challenges making the club a respected presence in Mexican football.
Real Salt Lake and Querétaro FC share a limited history of direct competition leading up to the 2025 Leagues Cup, with this upcoming match marking Querétaro’s first visit to Utah. Despite the lack of head-to-head clashes, the two clubs are connected through players who have represented both teams. Notably, former RSL midfielder Luis Gil spent the 2016-17 seasons with Querétaro after his contract with Real Salt Lake ended in 2015. More recently, former RSL forward Rubio Rubin joined Querétaro on loan in 2024. These player ties add an intriguing layer to the matchup, highlighting shared histories amid a fresh competitive encounter.
Stay up to date on all things Leagues Cup by visiting Real Salt Lake’s official website and following its social media channels for the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content. The first game of RSL’s 2025 Leagues Cup campaign kicks off on Wednesday, July 30, at 7:30 PM MT, taking place at America First Field, an exciting start to what promises to be a thrilling tournament. Tickets for the match are available for purchase here.
