LAFC vs Real Salt Lake – October 1, 2023
All was quiet in the LAFC vs Real Salt Lake game on Sunday night until former Black and Gold forward Cristian Arango scored in the 72nd minute at BMO Stadium. With the 1-0 lead, RSL was able to hold LAFC scoreless as the home team was shut out.
Arango’s goal was his sixth across 10 league appearances, and was assisted by Rubio Rubin on a laser cross to Chico who took a header past LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau. The Columbian footballer scored 30 goals over two seasons for the Los Angeles Football Club but was sold to Mexico’s CF Pachuca after winning the MLS Cup with his former squad.
Staying classy, Arango decided not to celebrate afterward, the usual case for athletes who score in front of their previous home crowd. We surely do miss Chicho’s presence, and today’s result showed exactly why. Props to RSL for acquiring him during the MLS secondary transfer window this past summer offseason.
Denis Bouanga made one last attempt to equalize the match in stoppage time with a well placed curveball but RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath easily recorded a save with an effortless hop.
With the win, Real Salt Lake now have a 13-11-7 record with 46 points, putting them above LAFC for second place in the MLS Western Conference. LAFC are now 12-10-9 with 45 points and sit in fourth place in the Western Conference. With three matches remaining and one point behind both RSL and the Seattle Sounders, the club isn’t quite guaranteed to one of the nine playoff spots as they look to stay on path to the playoffs.
Next up are the Minnesota United FC on Wednesday, October 4.
Watch More LAFC vs Real Salt Lake Highlights:
LAFC vs Real Salt Lake – 8/8/23
LAFC vs Real Salt Lake – 5/13/23
