Pablo Ruiz broke a 35-match scoring drought with a thunderous equalizer on Tuesday, Aug. 4, but Real Salt Lake couldn't finish off Tigres UANL, falling 6-5 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw at America First Field.

RSL dominated the run of play, outshooting the Liga MX visitors 16-12 and holding them to just three shots on target, according to KSL Sports. Tigres goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán made five saves to keep his side alive.

Mastroeni told reporters RSL would have scored a second goal on most nights and said the focus should stay on the performance rather than the result.

Tigres struck first in the seventh minute when Juan Brunetta finished from close range off a Rodrigo Aguirre header. RSL answered nine minutes later. Forward Morgan Guilavogui tracked back and laid the ball to Ruiz at the top of the box, and the Argentine midfielder drove a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner for his first goal since June 17, 2023, against D.C. United.

It was Ruiz's first start of the 2026 MLS season. He had made just four league appearances while returning from two knee injuries.

"If there's one player who has had to overcome a ton of adversity in his career, it's Pablo Ruiz," head coach Pablo Mastroeni said after the match. "I'm his biggest fan."

RSL nearly took the lead in the second half. Saba Lobzhanidze, the Georgian forward acquired from Atlanta United on July 1, went down inside the box after contact with a Tigres defender. Officials reviewed the play on VAR but upheld the no-penalty call. Substitute Sergi Solans forced a diving save from Guzmán in the 65th minute.

The shootout went the distance. All 10 initial takers converted, sending the contest to sudden death. RSL forward Zach Booth stepped up sixth, but his attempt hit the left post after Guzmán got a hand to it. Jesus Garza buried the winner for Tigres moments later.

The loss dropped RSL to 6-6-6 all-time against Mexican clubs on Utah soil.

RSL now sits fifth in the Western Conference at 8-6-3 (27 points) with 17 MLS regular-season matches remaining. But the club's Leagues Cup path narrows fast. As we reported Aug. 5, RSL must beat Atlante CF in regulation Saturday, Aug. 8, at 8 p.m. MDT at America First Field to stay alive in the tournament. Atlante recently returned to Liga MX after acquiring Mazatlán's franchise and now plays home matches at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

RSL's 8-1-0 home record across all competitions this year offers reason for optimism. The club has outscored visitors 22-9 at America First Field in 2026.