One last chance: RSL hosts LA Galaxy with playoff hopes on the line

Nov 6, 2026, 3:13 PM

DeAndre Yedlin #2 of the Real Salt Lake in action during the first half of an MLS game between Real Salt Lake and Vancouver Whitecaps FC at America First Field on September 19, 2026 in Sandy, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

BY MATTEW CASEY

SANDY — Real Salt Lake has spent much of the past month fighting to keep its season alive. On Saturday, the Claret and Cobalt have one final opportunity to finish the job.

RSL welcomes the LA Galaxy to America First Field for Decision Day, needing a victory and some help elsewhere to secure a place in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

A three-match winning streak had lifted RSL back into postseason contention before last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at San Jose.

“We’ve been, last five games we’ve been in a really great way,” Real Salt Lake head coach Pablo Mastroeni said following Tuesday’s training session. “No need to unearth craziness. Wanna keep the mentality the same, wanna compete the same way.”

Rather than burden his players with the playoff permutations, Mastroeni wants them concentrating on what’s worked.

“Don’t play God here. Just play what you see,” he said.

Starting on the right foot

RSL has looked a different team in recent weeks, with the late-summer addition of Canadian World Cup defender Luc de Fougerolles injecting some bite into the lineup. But slow starts and inconsistent finishing have proven costly.

Against San Jose, RSL conceded twice inside the opening 17 minutes before Juan Manuel Sanabria pulled one back. The visitors couldn’t find an equalizer and left California empty-handed.

Defender Philip Quinton believes the opening exchanges will be particularly important against the Galaxy.

“I think both games, Austin and San Jose, I think we would’ve liked to have had a better first five or 10 minutes,” Quinton said. “Kinda get control of the game a little bit earlier.”

Mastroeni identified LA’s counterattack as a particular concern, pointing to the danger posed by Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, João Klauss and Joseph Paintsil when afforded space.

Selection decisions

After months of injuries and makeshift defensive combinations, Mastroeni suddenly has options across his back line.

Justen Glad returned to the starting lineup against San Jose following his lengthy absence, playing approximately 60 minutes before cramping. Lukas Engel contributed another 30 minutes, while Kobi Henry, who had been dealing with stomach issues, is physically capable of playing a full match.

That doesn’t mean all three will start.

Mastroeni emphasized that he doesn’t want to enter Saturday’s match with substitutions already dictated by fitness limitations.

“The guys that have been on a part of the group that’s been on a really good run is more than likely the group that we’re gonna go with,” he said.

A familiar face returns

Saturday will bring a reunion with former RSL midfielder Pablo “Quique” Ruiz, who joined the Galaxy in September after eight seasons in Utah.

For a time, the Argentine was the centerpiece of RSL’s midfield, dictating the tempo and using his wand of a left foot to score from distance and pose a constant threat on free kicks.

His absence was felt immediately when he tore his right meniscus against LAFC in the 2023 Leagues Cup, disrupting a promising season. After working his way back, Ruiz suffered a torn left ACL during training in March 2024, forcing RSL to reshape its midfield once again.

By the time he returned, the team had evolved, and Ruiz struggled to reclaim a regular place in the lineup.

Now with the Galaxy, the 29-year-old has made 10 appearances, including eight starts, contributing two goals and an assist in 714 minutes.

Speaking Tuesday, Juan Manuel Sanabria recalled how Ruiz helped him settle into life at RSL.

“Since I arrived here, he’s been a friend who offered me everything, who made sure I didn’t lack anything,” Sanabria said, translated from Spanish. “I’ll always be grateful to him.”

One job, then wait

Six Western Conference teams enter Decision Day fighting for three remaining playoff spots. Seventh place advances directly to the first round, while eighth and ninth meet in a single-elimination Wild Card match. The other three teams will see their seasons end Saturday.

RSL sit 11th on 42 points, one behind Portland, Colorado and Seattle. A victory on Saturday, coupled with at least one of those three failing to win, would secure a playoff berth.

If RSL beats the Galaxy and Portland, Colorado and Seattle all fail to win, the Claret and Cobalt will finish seventh and avoid the Wild Card match altogether.

Quinton says the team’s mindset is simple.

“For us it’s just the three points. Everything else is out of our control,” he said.

Sanabria also emphasized the value of playing Decision Day in front of their home crowd.

“When the team runs, when we fight, when we all push forward, you can feel the fans are with us, that we’re all together,” Sanabria said, translated from Spanish. “When you’re tired on the field, you look at the fans and you can keep running.”