Disappointing Loss Eliminates Real Salt Lake From Champions Cup

SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake couldn’t hold an early lead, bowing out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup after a 2-1 loss to C.S. Herediano.

On Wednesday, February 26, RSL hosted C.S. Herediano at America First Field in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

2-1 loss at home and RSL is out of the @TheChampions

The amount of opportunities missed in the first half haunt RSL.

Let’s get your thoughts and takes on the match@kslsports | #RSL

— RSL Show on KSL 🎙️⚡️ (@rslshow) February 27, 2025

Dominik Marczuk assisted Forster Ajago’s first RSL goal, but that would be it for the Claret & Cobalt.

First Half

Rafael Cabral made his third consecutive start in goal, hoping Pablo Mastroeni’s lineup can score a goal for the first time in 2025.

😠😠😠😠😠😠
🙂😠😠😠😠 pic.twitter.com/s4KcmmD1wk

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) February 27, 2025

Forster Ajago had a tailor-made scoring chance inside the six in the fifth minute but shanked the shot over the top. Dominik Marczuk set up the opportunity with a seeing-eye pass past two defenders and into the box.

Beautiful ball from Marczuk from the right and Ajago misses and absolute sitter. #RSL

— RSL Show on KSL 🎙️⚡️ (@rslshow) February 27, 2025

The match’s first corner went to RSL in the seventh minute but didn’t amount to anything.

Moments later, Marczuk sent a shot into the side-netting as RSL controlled the opening ten minutes.

3 solid chances for #RSL within the opening 10 min. Who opens their 2025 goals scoring account tonight??

— RSL Show on KSL 🎙️⚡️ (@rslshow) February 27, 2025

Another great chance came in the 24th minute when Nelson Palacio found Diogo Gonçalves near the top of the 18. Gonçalves tried to tuck the shut in the corner but was wide left.

Two minutes later, the Claret & Cobalt broke through when Ajago beat Dany Cavahal with a one-touch chip. It was RSL’s first goal in 2025.

Dominik Marczuk with the assist as Forster Ajago opens his #RSL account@kslsports | @TheChampions pic.twitter.com/H7XCjr5w5M

— RSL Show on KSL 🎙️⚡️ (@rslshow) February 27, 2025

Real Salt Lake controlled the opening 45 minutes, outshooting their opponent 14-3 and 3-0 in shots on goal. RSL maintained possession for nearly 60 percent of the first half.

Second Half

Herediano earned a corner kick less than a minute in. A well-defended loose ball kept them off the scoreboard.

Later in the half, Rafael was forced to punch away a dangerous Herediano free kick.

Real Salt Lake conceded a goal in the 55th minute on a defensive breakdown. C.S. Herediano sent a pass into the box that RSL couldn’t clear. Emerson Bravo went toward the end line before firing a difficult angle shot past Rafael to tie the match 1-1.

After a VAR check, it’s no goal for Herediano!!

Remains 1-0 good guys #RSL | @kslsports

— RSL Show on KSL 🎙️⚡️ (@rslshow) February 27, 2025

After going to VAR, the goal was nullified because of a foul that led directly to Herediano gaining possession and scoring.

Diego Luna came on in the 59th minute to give his team fresh legs in the final 30 minutes.

Marczuk blasted a shot two minutes later that a diving Carvahal knocked away. RSL spent several minutes applying steady pressure against the Herediano defenders.

Braian Ojeda, Pablo Ruiz, and Tyler Wolff entered in the 70th minute.

Poor giveaway from RSL leads to the Herediano equalizer.

1-1 in Sandy @kslsports | #RSL

— RSL Show on KSL 🎙️⚡️ (@rslshow) February 27, 2025

Seconds after the substitutions, Herediano broke loose for the game-tying goal. Elías Aguilar finished the assist from Alonso Hernández.

Seventeen-year-old West Valley, Utah product Zavier Gozo entered in the 81st minute.

With the lead in the aggregate, Herediano opted to settle back defensively and keep RSL off the scoreboard.

82nd minute.

As thing stand, #RSL is out of the CCC

— RSL Show on KSL 🎙️⚡️ (@rslshow) February 27, 2025

The plan nearly backfired when a header had to be swatted out of play by a diving Carvahal.

Even with more than five minutes of stoppage time, RSL couldn’t scratch across another goal.

Herediano added a penalty kick goal in the final seconds to steal a 2-1 win.

RSL-Herediano gameday reading

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How To Watch Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake opens its MLS home schedule on Saturday, March 1, against Seattle Sounders FC. The match kicks off at 2:30 p.m. MT. Find Real Salt Lake’s full 2025 schedule here.

All Major League Soccer games are broadcasted on Apple TV with MLS Season Pass.

For more Real Salt Lake coverage and analysis, subscribe to The RSL Show and follow them on Instagram. 

You can find KSL Sports coverage of Real Salt Lake here.

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Brian Preece is a KSLSports.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X and Instagram and BlueSky at @bpreece24. 

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