Real Salt Lake and the San Jose Earthquakes meet Wednesday night with contrasting ambitions and very different levels of momentum. For RSL, the match represents another chance to rescue an uneven season and keep a late playoff push alive. San Jose, meanwhile, arrive on a seven-game unbeaten run and could move closer to securing postseason soccer with a victory at America First Field.
Rough Season For Real Salt Lake
RSL’s campaign has been a story of promise interrupted by upheaval. Under head coach Pablo Mastroeni, the Claret-and-Cobalt made a strong start and occupied playoff positions before the World Cup break. Since returning to league action, however, they have managed just one win, slipping to 12th in the Western Conference with 32 points from 28 matches. They are four points below the playoff line, with six games remaining and little room for further mistakes.
Roster changes have played a major role in that decline. Young winger and academy product Zavier Gozo departed for Crystal Palace in August for a club record $15M fee. Two other midfielders, Nelson Palacio and Pablo Ruiz, were traded to Toronto FC and LA Galaxy respectively. Star midfielder Diego Luna recently underwent knee surgery that is expected to end his season. Before the season started, RSL also reshaped its squad with significant additions and departures, including the arrival of Uruguayan wingback Juan Manuel Sanabria and the loss of midfielder Braian Ojeda.
Despite the disruption, RSL still has attacking threats. Spanish striker Sergi Solans has enjoyed an outstanding first MLS season, scoring 11 goals and adding three assists. Georgian midfielder Saba Lobjanidze, acquired from Atlanta United in July, has contributed three goals and three assists and offers a creative spark. RSL’s 3-0 home win over New England on September 26 showed what they can produce when their attack clicks, but a 2-1 defeat at Philadelphia last weekend underlined their continuing inconsistency.
San Jose’s Up-Down-Up Season
San Jose’s season has followed a more encouraging arc. After nine wins in their first ten matches, Bruce Arena’s side stumbled before finding their rhythm again. The Earthquakes are now unbeaten in seven matches and sit fourth in the West with 46 points, having already exceeded their entire 2025 points total. Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Colorado featured a goal from defender Dave Romney and a season-high nine saves from goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr., evidence of a side capable of grinding out results as well as winning freely.
The Quakes have also had to rebuild their attack. Over the winter, they said farewell to long-time winger Cristian Espinoza (Nashville), veteran striker Josef Martínez (Tijuana) and Cristian “Chicho” Arango (Atlético Nacional). To compensate, German forward Timo Werner arrived from RB Leipzig in January as a marquee signing. Homegrown player Niko Tsakiris has become a critical midfield maestro, alongside local lad Beau Leroux. Arena’s challenge has been to turn individual talent into a consistent team, and the recent unbeaten run suggests his side are making progress.
Playoffs On the Line
This match has clear playoff implications for both sides. A San Jose win, combined with either a Portland loss or a San Diego loss or draw, would clinch a playoff berth. Of course, the Quakes are looking to stay in the top four positions in the West, which would give them home field advantage in the post-season.
RSL cannot clinch on Wednesday, but must take advantage of home field and collect points while hoping the teams above them falter. Their strong home record offers hope; their recent form offers no guarantees.
Recent Form & Starting Lineups
Recent meetings have been competitive: RSL won 2-1 at home in July 2025, while San Jose claimed a 4-0 victory in February that year. The two haven’t squared off this season, but will play the reverse fixture on Halloween.
With the Quakes chasing qualification and RSL fighting to keep their season alive, another decisive chapter awaits in Utah.
Real Salt Lake Possible Starting XI
R. Cabral;
K. Henry, P. Quinton, D. Yedlin;
S. Junqua, S. Spierings, N. Çalıșkan, D. Marczuk;
M. Guilavogui, S. Solans, A. Hezarkhani
San Jose Earthquakes Possible Starting XI
Expect Bruce Arena to stick with his 5-3-2 formation, which he’s employed the past two games.
E. Edwards, Jr.;
V. Costa, D. Romney, D. Munie, J. Jasinski, P. Marie;
P. Vieira, B. Leroux, E. Löwen;
T. Werner, P. Judd
