July 17, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; LAFC forward Christian Oliveira (13) reacts after scoring in the first half against Real Salt Lake at BMO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports Visiting Real Salt Lake, without its two top scorers, held to a 1-1 draw with Los Angeles FC on Wednesday thanks to a goal from Brayon Vera in a showdown between the Western Conference's two top teams.
Real Salt Lake is without MLS leading scorer Christian Arango (17 goals), who has been suspended for four games for violating the league's anti-harassment policy. The club is also without Andres Gomez (11 goals) due to accumulation of yellow cards.
Despite a poor offensive performance, RSL (12-4-8, 44 points) managed to rebound from a 3-0 road loss to the Portland Timbers on Saturday, goaltender Zach McMath made Made four saves.
Cristian Olivera scored for LAFC (13-5-5, 44 points), which lost its second straight home game. Los Angeles lost 5-1 to the Columbus Crew on Saturday, its worst home loss in franchise history.
Hugo Lloris made two saves for LAFC on Wednesday, who extended their unbeaten run in 10 games in MLS and 16 at home in all competitions with Saturday's defeat And end.
LAFC scored first in the fifth minute when Oliveira capitalized on a mistake by McMath and put the ball past the goalkeeper on the edge of the penalty area. This is Oliveira's fifth goal of the season.
Real Salt Lake equalized in the 33rd minute when Villa's 30-yard free kick grazed the heel of Los Angeles midfielder Eli Sanchez and past Lloris, just inside the left post. This is Villa's first goal of the season.
RSL tied for the Western Conference lead with 48 goals on Wednesday but allowed one or fewer goals in consecutive games for the third time this season.
In the 79th minute, LAFC's Mateusz Bogusz had an open chance, but his shot went wide to the right after a long pass from Denis Bouanga.
Los Angeles lost midfielder Timothy Tillman in the 17th minute with an apparent left hamstring injury.
–Scene-level media