Rain, raccoons falling from sky during postponed RSL match


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SANDY — A sunny start quickly turned to disaster Thursday as Real Salt Lake's Leagues Cup Round of 32 match against Club Leon was postponed due to a thunderstorm.

A torrential downpour hit America First Field just before kickoff, but that wasn't the only thing falling at the stadium. Media were treated to a surprise when a raccoon fell through a leaking spot in the ceiling, and chaos ensued.

A raccoon fell through the rain soaked press box ceiling as rain, thunderstorms and lightning delayed the game between RSL and Leon in Sandy on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
A raccoon fell through the rain soaked press box ceiling as rain, thunderstorms and lightning delayed the game between RSL and Leon in Sandy on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023. (Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)

It eventually escaped the press box but found shelter under an overhang above the main concourse. Stadium staff were able to move it with a broom before it fell to the concourse, where it was trapped, captured, and then released by a creek near the stadium.

The kickoff delay eventually reached two hours and league officials made the decision to postpone the match until Friday at 7 p.m. MDT.

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Caleb Turner covers Real Salt Lake as the team's beat writer for KSL.com, in addition to his role where he oversees the sports team's social media accounts.

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