Los Angeles FC vs Real Salt Lake preview

United States flag 2026 Major League Soccer, United States
BMO Stadium Thu, 23 Jul - 2:30 AM
Major League Soccer
Los Angeles FCLAF
3 1
Real Salt LakeRSL
Full Time Thu, 23 Jul 2:30 AM
Regular Season
DeAndre Yedlin - 68' (Own Goal)
Goal
|
Goal
Lukas Engel - 86'

CONTEXT

Los Angeles FC claimed a 3-1 win against Real Salt Lake in an intriguing contest marked by contrasting performances. The hosts took an early advantage and went into the break leading 2-0. Although Real Salt Lake enjoyed 71 percent of the possession and registered a superior 2.39 expected goals to the home side's 1.29, they fell short on the scoreboard. Los Angeles FC showed resilience and efficiency to maintain their lead and add a third goal after the interval. The visitors responded with a late consolation but the outcome remained in favor of the home team. Such results underscore the importance of converting limited opportunities in high-stakes encounters where statistical dominance does not always translate to victory.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Los Angeles FC recorded a significant structural deviation in their performance against Real Salt Lake.
  • Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift remained in line with the match's underlying dynamics.
  • xG alignment: The final result did not align with xG expectations given the away team's higher value.
  • Market alignment: The outcome proved consistent with pre-match market alignment indicators.
  • xG expectations: Los Angeles FC exceeded their 1.29 xG while the visitors fell short of 2.39 xG.
  • Event impact: The 2-0 halftime score had a major impact on the eventual 3-1 result.
  • Red card distortion: Absence of red cards meant no distortion occurred from disciplinary actions.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
P. Luce Lauziere
P. Luce Lauziere
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.4
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
M. Nelson
M. Nelson
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
R. Hammil
R. Hammil
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
S. Berna Rico
S. Berna Rico
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Los Angeles FC M. Dos Santos
M. Dos Santos
VS
Real Salt Lake P. Mastroeni
P. Mastroeni
1.69
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1.86
1.17 i
Last 6 Opponents
LA Galaxy Rank: 62 W
Seattle Sounders Rank: 68 W
Nashville SC Rank: 72 L
St. Louis City Rank: 63 L
Houston Dynamo Rank: 62 L
San Diego Rank: 65 D
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
1.67 i
Last 6 Opponents
Minnesota United Rank: 64 D
Colorado Rapids Rank: 62 W
Houston Dynamo Rank: 62 W
Dallas Rank: 67 L
Portland Timbers Rank: 61 W
LA Galaxy Rank: 61 L
2
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
2 - 1 - 1
1

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
71.99
64.19
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Los Angeles FC
Real Salt Lake
Power Score
71.99
64.19
League Position
3
5
Global Rank
204
408

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Los Angeles FC — Opponent-weighted form score
Real Salt Lake — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Los Angeles FC Real Salt Lake

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

Los Angeles FC

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Real Salt Lake

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

Los Angeles FC ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Real Salt Lake
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
48.10
44.86
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
44.86
48.10
Combined Efficiency Index Z-score combining attacking and defensive possession-adjusted efficiency.
Positive = above league average.
Negative = below league average.
Formula: EfficiencyIndex = z(AttackEff) − z(DefenceEff)
-3 0 3
Los Angeles FC +0.23 Efficiency Index
vs
Real Salt Lake -0.23 Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
Los Angeles FC
Real Salt Lake
AttackEff = xG ÷ pos
DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Los Angeles FC
vs
Real Salt Lake
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Los Angeles FC Real Salt Lake
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
33%
8%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-0.42 vs -0.19
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Los Angeles FC Real Salt Lake
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
8%
33%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.19 vs -0.42
Los Angeles FC
Real Salt Lake
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
Los Angeles FC
vs
Real Salt Lake
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Los Angeles FC Real Salt Lake
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
Los Angeles FC 0.31
Real Salt Lake 0.36
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Los Angeles FC Real Salt Lake
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
Los Angeles FC 0.01
Real Salt Lake 0.08
Los Angeles FC
Real Salt Lake
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • LAF had peak pressure around 41'.
  • RSL started the game with stronger pressure.
LAF Pressure RSL Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: LAF reached the top pressure at 41' (96.97).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 4 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Los Angeles FC LAF Home
4 matches
Real Salt Lake RSL Away
Match Record
2
Wins
1
1
Draws
1
1
Losses
2
Goals
9
Goals Scored
6
6
Goals Conceded
9
+3
Goal Difference
-3
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-07-24T00:01:30+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-3-3
Match Formation 3-4-2-1
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Jul 23, 2026, 02:30 AM
Competition
2026 Major League Soccer, United States · Regular Season
Stadium
BMO Stadium
Capacity
22000
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Pierre Luce Lauziere
Matthew Nelson
Rhett Hammil
Servando Berna Rico

Statistics

Possession
LAF
33%
RSL
67%

Top Statistics

3 Goals 1
1 Big Chances Created 3
4 Shots 15
39 Dangerous attacks 77
29 Possession 71
7 Corners 12
7 Free kicks 5

Match Overview

77 Ball Safe 57
12 Goal Kicks 6
8 Goal Attempts 12
5 Substitutions 5
9 Throwins 15
5 Successful Headers 5
1 Assists 1
13 Dribble Attempts 19
3 Successful Dribbles 12
23 Successful Dribbles Percentage 63

Attacking

39 Attacks 76
0 Big Chances Missed 3

Possession

41 Long Passes 43
293 Passes 705
235 Successful Passes 643
80 Successful Passes Percentage 91
10 Key Passes 23
19 Successful Long Passes 27
46 Successful Long Passes Percentage 63

Defensive

5 Saves 1
11 Tackles 16
11 Interceptions 4
27 Duels Won 37

Build-up

14 Total Crosses 42
5 Accurate Crosses 8

Discipline

1 Offsides 0
5 Fouls 7

Lineup

Referee : Pierre Luce Lauziere

Starting XI ▼

1
Hugo Lloris
Hugo Lloris (C) Goalkeeper
7.12
5
Ryan Porteous
Ryan Porteous Defender
6.91
23
Yevgen Cheberko
Yevgen Cheberko Defender
6.52
24
Ryan Hollingshead
Ryan Hollingshead Defender
7.08
45
Kenny Nielsen
Kenny Nielsen
Defender84'
6.21
91
Nkosi Tafari
Nkosi Tafari Defender
6.9
4
Eddie Segura
Eddie Segura Midfielder
6.86
8
Mark Delgado
Mark Delgado Midfielder
6.93
66
Mathieu Choinière
Mathieu Choinière Midfielder
7.44
22
Jude Terry
Jude Terry
Midfielder64'
6.52
7
Heung-min Son
Heung-min Son Attacker
7.57
17
Jeremy Ebobisse
Jeremy Ebobisse
Attacker72'
6.57
18
Jacob Shaffelburg
Jacob Shaffelburg Attacker
6.77
30
David Martínez
David Martínez
Attacker64'
6.47
99
Denis Bouanga
Denis Bouanga Attacker
7.3
19
Tyler Boyd
Tyler Boyd
Attacker84'
6.65
Referee : Pierre Luce Lauziere

Starting XI ▼

1
Rafael Cabral
Rafael Cabral (C) Goalkeeper
6.16
2
DeAndre Yedlin
DeAndre Yedlin Defender
6.25
4
Lukas Engel
Lukas Engel Defender
7.5
26
Philip Quinton
Philip Quinton Defender
6.79
6
Stijn Spierings
Stijn Spierings Midfielder
6.89
17
Victor Olatunji
Victor Olatunji
Attacker64'
5.91
8
Juan Manuel Sanabria
Juan Manuel Sanabria Midfielder
6.97
98
Alexandros Katranis
Alexandros Katranis
Defender84'
6.67
72
Zavier Gozo
Zavier Gozo Midfielder
7.36
92
Noel Caliskan
Noel Caliskan Midfielder
8.24
9
Morgan Guilavogui
Morgan Guilavogui Attacker
7.66
27
Griffin Dillon
Griffin Dillon
Midfielder79'
6.46
10
Diego Luna
Diego Luna Attacker
7.4
12
Saba Lobjanidze
Saba Lobjanidze
Midfielder78'
6.96
22
Sergi Solans
Sergi Solans Attacker
6.63
23
Zach Booth
Zach Booth
Midfielder79'
7.02

Events

2ND-HALF
86'
Event
Lukas Engel
Left foot shot / 3rd Goal
Event
Tyler Boyd → Denis Bouanga
8th Substitution
84'
Event
Kenny Nielsen → Ryan Hollingshead
10th Substitution
84'
84'
Event
Alexandros Katranis → Juan Manuel Sanabria
9th Substitution
79'
Event
Zach Booth → Sergi Solans
6th Substitution
79'
Event
Griffin Dillon → Morgan Guilavogui
7th Substitution
78'
Event
Saba Lobjanidze → Diego Luna
5th Substitution
Event
Jeremy Ebobisse → Heung-min Son
4th Substitution
72'
Event
DeAndre Yedlin
Left foot shot / 1st Own Goal
68'
Event
David Martínez → Jacob Shaffelburg
1st Substitution
64'
Event
Jude Terry → Mathieu Choinière
3rd Substitution
64'
64'
Event
Victor Olatunji → Stijn Spierings
2nd Substitution
1ST-HALF
Event
Denis Bouanga
Right foot shot / 2nd Goal
40'
Event
Heung-min Son
Left foot shot / 1st Goal
11'

Match Commentary

90
Attempt Attempt
Tyler Boyd takes a right-footed shot but misses.
90
Attempt Attempt
Saba Lobjanidze takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
90
Attempt Attempt
Saba Lobjanidze takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
90
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
86
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Lukas Ahlefeld Engel scores with a left-footed shot.
86
Attempt Attempt
Victor Olatunji takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
86
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 3-1.
86
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
84
Update Update
Alexandros Katranis is on, and Juan Manuel Sanabria is off.
84
Update Update
Kenny Nielsen replaces Ryan Hollingshead.
84
Update Update
Tyler Boyd comes on for Denis Bouanga.
84
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
83
Attempt Attempt
Juan Manuel Sanabria takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
83
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
83
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
82
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
79
Update Update
Zach Booth is on, and Sergi Solans is off.
79
Update Update
On Griffin Dillon, off Morgan Guilavogui.
78
Update Update
Zach Booth comes on for Sergi Solans.
77
Attempt Attempt
Morgan Guilavogui takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
76
Attempt Attempt
Diego Luna takes a right-footed shot, but it misses the target.
76
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
74
Attempt Attempt
Nkosi Burgess takes a header shot but misses.
74
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
72
Attempt Attempt
David Martinez Morales takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
72
Update Update
Jeremy Ebobisse replaces Son Heung-Min.
72
Attempt Attempt
David Martinez Morales takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
72
Update Update
Offside.
70
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
69
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 3-0.
68
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! An own goal by DeAndre Yedlin makes it 3-0.
68
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Shot by DeAndre Yedlin results in an own goal.
67
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 3-0.
67
Attempt Attempt
Victor Olatunji attempts a header but misses the shot.
65
Attempt Attempt
Jude Terry takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
65
Update Update
Victor Olatunji replaces Stijn Spierings.
64
Update Update
Jude Terry comes on for Mathieu Choiniere.
64
Update Update
Victor Olatunji is on, and Stijn Spierings is off.
64
Update Update
Jude Terry is on, and Mathieu Choiniere is off.
64
Update Update
Jude Terry is on, and Mathieu Choiniere is off.
64
Attempt Attempt
Zavier Gozo takes a right-footed shot but misses.
64
Attempt Attempt
Stijn Spierings takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
63
Attempt Attempt
Stijn Spierings takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
60
Attempt Attempt
Morgan Guilavogui takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
57
Attempt Attempt
Son Heung-Min takes a right-footed shot but misses.
54
Attempt Attempt
Diego Luna takes a right-footed shot, but it misses the target.
54
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
54
Attempt Attempt
Sergi Solans takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
53
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
52
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
50
Attempt Attempt
Zavier Gozo takes a right-footed shot but misses.
49
Attempt Attempt
Son Heung-Min takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
48
Attempt Attempt
Zavier Gozo takes a left-footed shot but misses.
45
Attempt Attempt
Sergi Solans takes a left-footed shot but misses.
45
Attempt Attempt
Zavier Gozo takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
44
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
40
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Denis Bouanga takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
40
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Denis Bouanga scores, making it 2-0.
39
Update Update
Eddie Segura's header is blocked.
39
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
39
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
37
Attempt Attempt
Denis Bouanga takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
36
Attempt Attempt
Noel Caliskan takes a left-footed shot but misses.
36
Attempt Attempt
Noel Caliskan takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
33
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
25
Attempt Attempt
Stijn Spierings takes a right-footed shot but misses.
25
Attempt Attempt
Noel Caliskan takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
22
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
21
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
18
Attempt Attempt
Son Heung-Min's right-footed shot is blocked.
14
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
11
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Son Heung-Min scores with a left-footed shot.
11
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Son Heung-Min scores to make it 1-0.
10
Attempt Attempt
Ryan Porteous takes a shot with his head, but it misses the target.
10
Attempt Attempt
Ryan Porteous attempts a header, but misses the shot.
6
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
6
Attempt Attempt
Morgan Guilavogui takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
5
Attempt Attempt
Diego Luna takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is P. Lauziere.

CONCLUSION

Final score detail: Los Angeles FC 3-1 Real Salt Lake. Structural assessment: Los Angeles FC exhibited a significant deviation from the pre-match structural baseline. Efficiency outcome: Possession-adjusted chance creation finished in line with projected levels. Result alignment: The final score was consistent with the pre-match probability model. Market alignment: The match result was within the projected probability range.