With a chance to clinch its fifth consecutive postseason berth, the Claret-and-Cobalt strolled into an electric Lumen Field atmosphere composed of Seattle faithful who pride themselves as “The 12th Man”.
Captain O Captain
Veteran goalkeeper Rafael Cabral was called into action early as the Rave Green came flying out of the gates. Sneaking one past the Wall of Cabral after a defensive RSL breakdown in the fourth minute, the Seattle stands erupted after a penalty kick was awarded to the home side eight minutes later. Stepping up to the spot, Jordan Morris attempted to double the lead, placing his penalty to his right, Cabral’s left, the Brazilian Goalkeeper's weak hand. But with a perfectly-timed leap off his line, Cabral met the strike to pushing it wide, sucking out the electricity out of the home crowd.
“CABRAL IS HIM!” RSL faithful erupted online after the save, an evergreen statement amongst those who bleed Claret-and-Cobalt, familiar with the Brazilian’s 2025 heroics. Cabral’s penalty kick save marks his fourth out of eight faced this season, amazingly marking his lone save throughout yet another 90-minute shift. Rafa has been the backbone of this season’s squad, making 38 consecutive appearances across all competitions, playing every minute, now just one match away from the Club’s first-ever “Iron Man” campaign across all competitions.
Mastroeni Masterclass
After trailing for 41 minutes of the first half, RSL Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni knew changes were coming after the break, as his squad came out chasing two goals and a postseason berth in the final 45. April 2025 signee William Agada was the first to come off the bench in the 45th minute, followed by fellow Nigerian Victor Olatunji nearly twenty minutes later in the 64th, as RSL’s recent Sparta Prague arrival did not start in a precautionary move, attempting to avoid aggravation of a muscle injury on the artificial surface.
With two minutes to play, the RSL second-half substitution duo connected after another 80th minute sub, Jonny Russell, drew a freekick inside of the final third. Connecting with the initial service from Designated Player Diogo Goncalves, Olatunji headed the ball back into the mix from the far post to Agada, who acrobatically headed it home, leveling the match. The goal only stood for a few moments before the official was called to the monitor after VAR deemed Olatunji just centimeters offsides on the Diogo pass.
Opting to use only four of five possible substitutions, Mastroeni then called another attacker, Spanish rookie Jesus Barea, with 20 minutes remaining. Barea, the 2025 Real Monarchs golden boot winner after scoring 13 goals in 18 matches with the Club’s MLS NEXT Pro side, brought his attacking fire to the match. In his time on the pitch, the former Missouri State man completed 92% of his passes and fired two shots on goal.
Despite not finding the equalizer or the even more desired game-winner, Mastroeni made all the right substitutions, inching RSL closer to its desired goals.
Real Salt Lake now concludes its 2025 MLS Regular Season campaign on the road, traveling to face St. Louis CITY SC this Saturday, October 18, at Energizer Stadium. All Western Conference “Decision Day” Kickoffs are slated for 7:00 p.m. MT, with the broadcast available on Apple TV - MLS Season Pass.
In order to clinch its League-best fifth straight postseason, RSL needs the full three road points with a full-strength squad welcoming Diego Luna, Braian Ojeda, and Zavier Gozo back from international duty Saturday would secure the Claret-and-Cobalt a spot in the Western Conference Play-in game.
DECISION DAY SCENARIOS
RSL WIN = playoffs Wed 10/22 v opponent TBD
RSL WIN + DAL Loss/Draw = 8th seed / home game on Wed 10/22
RSL DRAW + COL Loss/Draw + SJ Loss/Draw = PLAYOFFS TBD based on DAL result
RSL DRAW + DAL Loss/Draw + COL Loss/Draw + SJ Loss/Draw = 8th seed / home game Wed 10/22
RSL DRAW = ELIMINATED w/ COL win
RSL LOSS = ELIMINATED w/ COL win/draw OR SJ win
DECISION DAY SCHEDULE ::
RSL @ STL
COL v LAFC
DAL @ VAN
SJ v ATX
