RSL’s swashbuckling Captain made his much-anticipated return as one of the few highlights of a frustrating defeat in Houston
Real Salt Lake 0:3 Houston Dynamo FC
Shell Energy Stadium; Houston, Texas
Player Spotlight - Chicho’s Return
RSL Captain and standard bearer Cristian “Chicho” Arango made his long-awaited return to first-team action for the Claret-and-Cobalt in Monday night’s Leagues Cup group stage finale, a welcome sight for fans watching from around the globe.
The active MLS Golden Boot leader - 17 goals, plus 11 assists - was re-introduced in a Peak Utah kit after a two-week hiatus as a halftime substitute Monday at Houston, with Pablo’s men down three goals down, in the team’s second-half fight for consolation.
RSL’s Colombian striker had yet to feature for the Claret-and-Cobalt since the team’s 3-0 loss away against Portland Timbers on July 13, after serving a four-match ban which included three RSL games, and the recently concluded MLS All-Star game, as punishment for violating MLS policy.
Chicho proved to be one of the team’s most valiant performers in the second 45, most notably setting up teammate Matt Crooks to nearly pull one back for RSL in the 53rd minute. Chicho took over the ball from winger Andres Gomez on the right side, just inside the penalty box to deliver a hard, low cross to find Crooks in the six-yard box. However, the midfielder’s subsequent effort was blocked off the line by an intervening Dynamo defender.
All in all, the loss represented yet another hardworking, encouraging performance from the Club’s Captain, despite the disappointing result, in preparation for the team’s MLS regular-season restart on Saturday, August 24, at home against San Jose.
What This Means/What Comes Next
Monday night’s loss means the Claret-and-Cobalt exit the 2024 Leagues Cup at the group stage for the first time, now provided with nearly three weeks to prepare for the MLS regular-season stretch run and the impending arrival of promising new signings Lachlan Brook, Javain Brown and possibly others, giving RSL fans plenty to look forward to.
RSL return to MLS action on Saturday, August 24th, with a crucial clash against the San Jose Earthquakes at America First Field. Kickoff for this game - the first of six out of nine down the stretch and four of the next five to be played at home - is 7:30 pm.
Important Milestones
- Captain, MLS MVP Contender and Golden Boot leader Chicho Arango substitutes on at halftime to make his first appearance since July 13 after missing four matches due to a suspension.
- RSL concedes its only first-half triple of the season against a fellow MLS side, the only other three-goal first 45 coming in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup loss to New Mexico United on May 8. The last first-half triple conceded against an MLS squad came on April 17, 2022 in a 0-6 loss to New York City FC.
- RSL was held scoreless for just the sixth time out of 28 in a competitive match this season (MIA 2/21, COL 4/13, MTL 6/15, LA 6/22, POR 7/13).
- RSL now enters the most densely-congested period of home matches on the 2024 schedule, with four of the next five to be played at America First Field (San Jose 8/24, New England 8/31, Dallas 9/18, Portland 9/21).
