Real Salt Lake

Lore & Background

The narrative between these two clubs is built on specific, high-stakes moments that have derailed LAFC seasons. The 2018 postseason remains the most prominent chapter; despite a historic regular season for an expansion team, Real Salt Lake eliminated them in the first round at home with a 3–2 scoreline. This early exit cast a long shadow over the club's inaugural year. The rivalry took on new dimensions in 2024 when environmental conditions played a crucial role. LAFC faced Real Salt Lake in a snow game, suffering a 3–0 defeat that served as their first loss of the season. These matches are not merely regular-season fixtures but often pivotal turning points where playoff hopes can be extinguished or seasons derailed before they truly begin.

In Their Own Story

The 2018 postseason at BMO Stadium was a night of heartbreak for the home faithful. Having just secured their first playoff berth with a win over Colorado, LAFC hosted sixth-place Real Salt Lake expecting to advance. Instead, the match became an upset as RSL found the back of the net three times. The 3–2 final scoreline saw the sixth-seeded visitors knock out the third-seeded hosts, ending LAFC's inaugural campaign prematurely. Fast forward to the 2024 regular season, and the tables turned on the pitch conditions rather than just the tactics. In a snow game that saw play difficult and chaotic, Real Salt Lake dominated LAFC completely. The final score was 3–0, marking LAFC's first loss of the year. This defeat broke any sense of early-season dominance for the home side, proving that RSL remained a formidable obstacle capable of dismantling LAFC on both their turf and in adverse weather.

Reader's Guide

To understand this rivalry, one must look at the specific dates and outcomes provided by the source rather than general assumptions. The primary meeting of consequence occurred on October 6, 2018, during the MLS Cup playoffs, where Real Salt Lake defeated LAFC 3–2 in the first round. This game is critical because it was LAFC's first playoff appearance, and they were eliminated by a lower-seeded opponent at home. Another key data point is from the 2024 season, where the two met during a snow game resulting in a 3–0 victory for Real Salt Lake. This match stands out as LAFC's first loss of that specific year. Unlike other rivalries defined by decades of history, this one is characterized by these sharp, decisive victories for RSL at critical junctures: ending an expansion team's dream in 2018 and breaking a new season's momentum in 2024.

Did You Know?

• In the 2018 playoffs, sixth-place Real Salt Lake knocked out third-place LAFC in a 3–2 first-round upset at BMO Stadium.
• The 2024 meeting between the two teams was played as a snow game, resulting in a 3–0 victory for Real Salt Lake.
• The 3–0 loss to Real Salt Lake in 2024 marked LAFC's first defeat of that entire season.
• In their inaugural 2018 season, LAFC clinched the playoff spot before being eliminated by RSL in the very next round.