Real Salt Lake Bow Out Of Leagues Cup After 1-0 Loss To Tigres UANL.

Jul 24, 2019, 11:31 PM | Updated: Jul 25, 2019, 11:46 am

(Kristen Murphy, Deseret News)

KSL Sports

SANDY, Utah – Tigres UANL entered Rio Tinto Stadium on Wednesday evening only having played one competitive Liga MX match, but that did not seem to stop them from playing with confidence as they were able to get the better of RSL on their home pitch.

Golazo Tigres

It was Eduardo Vargas’s goal in the 57th minute that proved the difference as the Chilean International scored from thirty yards out. The strike took a deflection off RSL center back Justen Glad, which gave the ball a ton of dip leaving Nick Rimando helpless.

Minutes prior to the goal, Damir Kreilach took a shot that ended up deflecting off Corey Baird and into the back of the net. Although the goal was called back due to Baird being off side, just.

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— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) July 25, 2019

Over the course of the ninety minutes, Tigres looked the better team. Controlling sixty two percent possession while generating eleven shots on goal, compared to RSL’s eight.

Real Salt Lake were enduring their second match in only a matter of four days, tired legs and lack of preparation seemingly the difference in the end.

Lennon Sees Red

In the 84th minute it went from bad to worse for RSL as Brooks Lennon was given a red card after referee John Pitti went to VAR to review a high boot. The hosts were all of a sudden down to ten men and needing a goal.

Tempers flared in the 88th minute after Jefferson Savarino was fouled just when it looked like RSL may have themselves a goal scoring opportunity and a chance to equalize. Consequently, Carlos Salcedo was given a yellow card.

Lennon was not the only person to see red on the night, after the match had concluded Mike Petke was shown red. “I am pulling five of my payers away and I am talking to my players and he gives me a red card. He must have thought I was talking to him, I do not know.” Petke said after the game when addressing the media.

Leagues Cup No More For RSL

The loss sends RSL packing from the inaugural Leagues Cup and gives the Claret and Cobalt a chance to focus on a playoff run. While Tigres advances to the semi-final and takes on Liga MX rival Club America on August 20th.

The LA Galaxy were the only MLS team to advance in the tournament, after they beat Tijuana 3-1 on penalty kicks.