Sandy • Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen has made an effort this year to give his team's fan base more than just Major League Soccer games.

Bringing in Liga MX clubs Santos Lagunas and Club Tijuana (Xolos) for a Friday night friendly — the first all-Mexican exhibition at the stadium — in a leadup to the upcoming Clausura season was the most recent example of those efforts.

With Real Salt Lake on the road to face FC Dallas on Saturday night, a modest-sized, passionate crowd of predominantly Mexican soccer fans was on hand. Mexican music was played, Mexican flags were waved, and Real Salt Lake's PA announcer Mike Waldvogel — one of RSL's bilingual staff members — provided commentary in Spanish as Xolos won 2-1.

"The Hispanic community in the United States is huge and for us, it's important to give back because they give so much to us," said Xolos' Paul Arriola, who grew up in Los Angeles and played earlier this summer with the U.S. national team before the Copa America Centario. "It's really important for us — especially American players — to be able to see the vibes and the people support their teams."

Both teams scored in the first half as the game drifted toward full time tied at 1. But in the 83rd minute, Xolos midfielder Luis Gerardo Chavez scored with a shot from well outside the box. Minutes later, Santos Laguna hit the crossbar trying to score an equalizer.

On the pitch, some familiar faces were present.

Former Mexican National Team coach Miguel Herrera is currently managing Xolos, which started Arriola in midfield and in defense had Greg Garza, who has also played for the U.S. national team and was returning from 10 months out due to injury.

"Wish we could have got a little more people in the stands, [but] that's part of this," Garza said. "It's a wonderful experience for all of us. You get the best of both worlds."

Santos Laguna started defender Jorge Villafana, who helped the Portland Timbers win an MLS title last season and played for the U.S. Under-23 team in 2012.

International friendlies are not new to the U.S. But in Salt Lake City this summer, it will be more visible. In addition to Friday's game, RSL will host Italian powerhouse Inter Milan in July.

"Obviously we're not their team — Real Salt Lake is — but to be able to show up and show us love is huge," Arriola said of the fans in attendance.