RSL Surge continues: Playoff Push Intensifies with Key Wins
Real Salt Lake (RSL) is making a strong late-season push for a playoff berth, currently holding the 8th position in the Western Conference. This placement would qualify them for a play-in game. The team’s turnaround began in July, with a record of 5 wins, 1 loss, and 2 ties in their last eight matches. They are aiming for consecutive victories this weekend, a feat achieved only twice so far this MLS season – on March 16th vs. St. Louis City SC and July 26th vs. San Jose Earthquakes.
RSL has accumulated 31 points, trailing fourth-place Seattle Sounders FC by seven points, which would secure home-field advantage in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.Austin FC (33 points), LAFC (36 points, with games in hand due to the arrival of South Korean international forward Lee Dong-Gook), and the Portland Timbers (37 points) occupy the positions between RSL and Seattle. With 10 regular season games remaining, including five of seven at home between August 23rd and October 5th at America First Field in Sandy, Utah, RSL controls its destiny for a postseason appearance.
The Western Conference playoff race is incredibly tight. While RSL is seven points behind fourth place, they are also only seven points ahead of Sporting Kansas City, currently in 13th place. The July 26th victory over the San Jose Earthquakes (2-1) was pivotal in moving RSL ahead in the standings, though the margin remains slim. Close behind RSL are the colorado Rapids (30 points), San Jose Earthquakes (29 points), houston Dynamo FC (27 points), FC Dallas (25 points), and sporting KC (24 points). RSL must maintain focus on both gaining ground on those above and preventing those below from closing the gap.
RSL’s remaining schedule includes a cross-conference match against the New York Red bulls on August 10th, followed by games against Charlotte FC (August 23rd), Minnesota United FC (August 27th), Seattle Sounders FC (September 2nd), Sporting KC (September 16th), two matches against LAFC (September 20th and September 23rd), Austin FC (September 27th), a Rocky Mountain Cup rivalry game against the Colorado Rapids (October 5th), and concluding the regular season on October 18th with a road game against St. Louis City SC at citypark.
Real Salt Lake returns to league play after a recent Leagues Cup run.The team, coached by Pablo Mastroeni, has demonstrated resilience and a commitment to competing until the final whistle. Sunday’s match against the New York Red Bulls at America First Field is scheduled for a 4:00 p.m. MT kickoff and will be broadcast on Apple TV.
