Honestly, if you told a casual MLS fan back in 2018 that a midweek game between a glitzy Hollywood club and a team from the mountains of Utah would become appointment television, they’d probably have laughed. But here we are in 2026, and whenever Los Angeles FC vs Real Salt Lake pops up on the calendar, things just tend to get weird. It’s not a local derby. It’s not "El Tráfico." Yet, it has developed this gritty, chip-on-the-shoulder energy that most forced rivalries would kill for.
Maybe it’s the contrast in styles. Maybe it’s the lingering resentment from those early playoff upsets. Or maybe it’s just that these two teams genuinely seem to annoy each other.
The Night Son Heung-Min Took Over Sandy
If you want to understand the current temperature of this matchup, you have to look back at September 17, 2025. LAFC rolled into America First Field in Sandy, Utah, and it was basically the Son Heung-Min show. We all knew the South Korean legend was going to be a problem for MLS defenses when he joined from Tottenham, but that night was something else.
He bagged his first MLS hat trick in a clinical 4-1 demolition.
It wasn't just the goals; it was the way he did it. He scored just 125 seconds into the match. Then he added another in the 16th minute. RSL looked shell-shocked. While the Salt Lake faithful were hoping for a comeback after Rwan Cruz stepped up for a penalty in the second half, the ball clattered off the post and into the arms of Hugo Lloris. Talk about a "Welcome to MLS" moment for the RSL fans—watching two Spurs legends combine to ruin their night.
But that game also gave us a glimpse of why RSL fans get so frustrated. Victor Olatunji ended up seeing red for violent conduct in stoppage time. It was messy. It was heated. And it set the stage for a return leg at BMO Stadium just days later that was somehow even more chaotic.
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Denis Bouanga and the Record Books
While Son was stealing headlines, Denis Bouanga was busy quietly becoming the greatest goal-scorer in LAFC history. During that same 4-1 win in Utah, Bouanga netted the final goal in the 88th minute. That goal was his 94th for the club, officially moving him past the legendary Carlos Vela.
Vela was the face of the franchise for years, but Bouanga’s efficiency is just different.
Then came the "rematch" on September 21. RSL actually drew first blood with a screamer from Brayan Vera. For a second, it looked like Pablo Mastroeni’s tactical tweaks might actually work. But then the wheels fell off.
A controversial moment involving Sergi Palencia and RSL’s Alex Katranis—which allegedly resulted in a ruptured eardrum for Katranis—went unpunished. No VAR. No card. The RSL bench was livid. In the ensuing chaos of stoppage time, Son and Bouanga combined again to flip the game. Bouanga ended up with a hat trick of his own that night, and LAFC walked away with another 4-1 win.
The Ghost of the "Snow Game"
You can't talk about Los Angeles FC vs Real Salt Lake without mentioning the weather. Specifically, March 2, 2024. This is the game RSL fans bring up every time LAFC supporters start acting a bit too posh.
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It was a literal blizzard.
The match was delayed by wind, then lightning, and eventually played on a pitch covered in a foot of snow. LAFC, the team built for sunshine and tiki-taka, looked like they wanted to be anywhere else on earth. RSL thrived in the chaos, winning 3-0. It was the debut for David Martínez and only the second start for Hugo Lloris, who looked visibly confused as to why he was playing soccer in a freezer.
That game solidified the "Mountain Fortress" identity for RSL. They know they can’t always out-spend LAFC, but they can out-work them, out-muscle them, and certainly out-winter them.
Recent Head-to-Head Snapshot
- Sept 21, 2025: LAFC 4, RSL 1 (Bouanga hat trick)
- Sept 17, 2025: RSL 1, LAFC 4 (Son Heung-Min hat trick)
- July 17, 2024: LAFC 1, RSL 1
- March 2, 2024: RSL 3, LAFC 0 (The infamous Snow Game)
Why RSL Is the Ultimate "Trap" Team
For years, Real Salt Lake has been the team that ruins LAFC’s Supporters' Shield dreams. Back in 2018, RSL knocked a heavily favored LAFC out of the playoffs in their inaugural season. That 3-2 upset at the Banc (now BMO Stadium) is still a sore spot for the 3252.
RSL operates differently. They lean on homegrown talent like Diego Luna, who has blossomed into a legitimate creative force in the midfield. Luna, along with guys like Emeka Eneli and Braian Ojeda, gives RSL a spine that is surprisingly hard to break down when they are dialed in.
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They also have a knack for finding "LAFC killers." Whether it was Chicho Arango (who has played on both sides of this matchup) or the recent emergence of Rwan Cruz, RSL always seems to have someone ready to capitalize on LAFC’s high defensive line.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we move through the 2026 season, the rosters have seen some interesting shifts. LAFC has doubled down on veteran stability, with Ryan Porteous and Eddie Segura anchoring a backline that had to deal with some brutal injuries last year. They’ve still got the star power, but there’s a sense they are trying to be more "pragmatic" under Steve Cherundolo.
On the other side, RSL has leaned into their youth. They’ve kept their core of homegrowns—Zavier Gozo, Luis Rivera, and the veteran Justen Glad—while trying to integrate new strikers like Victor Olatunji and Ari Piol.
The next time these two meet at BMO Stadium, expect fireworks. The history of bad blood, officiating controversies, and record-breaking performances means neither side is ever truly comfortable.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're heading to a match or just watching on MLS Season Pass, keep an eye on these specific dynamics:
- The High Line vs. The Counter: LAFC’s defense, led by Ryan Porteous, likes to push high. RSL’s Diego Luna is one of the best in the league at picking a pass to a streaking runner like Olatunji. That one-on-one battle usually decides the game.
- The "Son" Factor: Son Heung-Min’s movement off the ball is still world-class. If RSL’s Alex Katranis or DeAndre Yedlin (if healthy) can't track his diagonal runs into the box, it's going to be a long night for goalkeeper Rafael Cabral.
- Physicality in the Box: After the Katranis/Palencia incident, expect the referees to be on high alert. This matchup has become incredibly physical, and early yellow cards for "enforcer" types like Mark Delgado or Braian Ojeda could change the tactical flow.
- BMO Stadium Atmosphere: LAFC rarely loses at home, but RSL is one of the few teams that doesn't seem intimidated by the North End. Watch for how RSL tries to kill the game’s tempo in the first 20 minutes to frustrate the home crowd.
The days of this being a "scheduled win" for the big-market team are long gone. Real Salt Lake has proven they can beat LAFC in a blizzard, in a shootout, or by simply being the more annoying team on the pitch. And for LAFC, every game against the Claret-and-Cobalt is now a chance to prove that they aren't just a collection of stars, but a team that can handle the grind.