América draws 2-2 with Real Salt Lake and loses on penalties in Leagues Cup opener

América snatches dramatic 2-2 draw against Real Salt Lake but falls short in penalty shootout

“Chiquito” Sánchez equalized at 90+7 to avoid defeat, but América fails to claim the extra point after missing three penalties

A debut full of pressure and uncertainty

Utah, July 30 – Club América made its debut in the Leagues Cup with a dramatic draw against Real Salt Lake, salvaging a point thanks to a stoppage-time goal from “Chiquito” Sánchez, only to fall short in the penalty shootout and miss the valuable bonus point.

The pressure was palpable from the start. Fans expected a dominant performance, especially after several Liga MX teams impressed in the opening round. However, the performance of André Jardine’s squad did little to ease growing concerns over the team’s direction and ceiling.

Early strike from Luna exposes América’s defensive flaws

The home team struck first in the 18th minute, when Diego Luna, in top form, took advantage of disorganized marking to fire past the América defense. The Mexican side struggled to respond with meaningful chances, lacking fluidity in the final third.

Just when it seemed América would go into halftime trailing, Brian Rodríguez found the equalizer in the 42nd minute after a well-constructed attack. But the celebration was short-lived: in stoppage time (45+2), William Agada put Real Salt Lake back in front with a precise finish, shifting the momentum again before the break.

A flat second half and a miracle in the dying seconds

The second half saw América push forward in search of an equalizer, but their attacking efforts lacked creativity and urgency. Salt Lake contained them well, limiting clear-cut chances.

Then, at the very last breath of the match, “Chiquito” Sánchez stepped up with a sensational goal in the 90+7 minute, sending the game to penalties under Leagues Cup rules.

Penalty heartbreak and missed opportunity

The late comeback was quickly overshadowed by disappointment. In the shootout, América missed three crucial penalties — from Henry Martín, Israel Reyes, and “La Pantera” Zendejas — allowing Real Salt Lake to claim the extra point.

Concerns persist and Minnesota is up next

The result offers a slim lifeline for Club América, but the inability to secure wins remains troubling across both league and cup competitions. In a tournament where every point matters, dropping two additional points could prove costly.

Their next match comes on Saturday, August 2, against Minnesota United, a side that currently sits 17th in MLS standings. On paper, it’s a favorable matchup, but to take advantage of it, Jardine’s squad must address its structural and defensive issues quickly.