Player Spotlight | Lobjanidze Shines in Houston With Second Goal of Week

By Isabella Rubis 

While Real Salt Lake still remain winless throughout 10 MLS matches dating back to May 23, the squad showcased moments of brilliance in the 2-1 road loss to Western power Houston Dynamo. From impeccable saves by RSL Captain and goalkeeper Rafael Cabral to the defensive battles and new faces making a claim on the pitch for the first time, it was a second-half substitution pairing who ignited the attack for the Claret-and-Cobalt and ultimately stole the spotlight for the evening.

Second-Half Duo Provides Attacking Spark for RSL  

Although RSL was unable to hold on to a point on the road, thus extending its winless streak, it was the pair of second-half substitutes who highlighted RSL’s evening, linking together seamlessly to break onto the scoresheet with the 76th minute equalizer. Georgian international MF Saba Lobjanidze found the back of the net with impressive speed on a 60-yard run, showcasing his exciting flair with a sublime chip for his second goal in as many matches.

While it was Lobjanidze who inevitably found the back of the net, 24-year-old attacker Lineker Rodrigues started the sequence. The Brazilian has become a more consistent feature in the RSL lineup recently, after enjoying a bright career over the last year with Utah’s MLS NEXT Pro side, Real Monarchs. Just over thirty minutes into the second half, Rodrigues demonstrated his high soccer IQ to earn his first-ever MLS assist. After finding himself with the ball just inside the center circle and taking a touch, Rodrigues laced a perfectly-weighted ball through the defense for his Georgian teammate to run onto. 

Once the veteran midfielder found himself with the ball at his feet, Lobjanidze turned on the jets, outpacing two defenders and chipping the ball up and over the diving goalkeeper with a precision that crossed the line and hit the back of the net. The score was not only an important shift in momentum for the visitors, but a high-quality play by the recently-acquired midfielder. 

Lobjanidze joined the Claret-and-Cobalt on July 1 after three years with Atlanta, immediately making an impact as both a starter and a substitute. The 31-year-old brings energy and creativity to the pitch in every match in which he features, his goal tonight creating a two-game scoring streak after he provided the first equalizer for RSL in the 2-2 stalemate against LAFC last Saturday, its first tie against the West Coast powerhouse in more than two years. 

While the visitors ultimately conceded a second goal, the spark in creativity and grit brought by both Lobjanidze and Rodrigues offered an encouraging glimpse into the attacking power of RSL as it heads into the final third of the season, the duo undoubtedly a bright spot in the recent difficulties for the Utah side.

Starting Debuts and MLS Debutants in Houston

Along with the high-quality goal on the evening, two of the recent MLS summer transfer window acquisitions earned first-ever starts with the Claret-and-Cobalt in Houston, as FW Jason Shokalook and MF Colin Guske featured in the XI for the first time. Real Monarchs playmaker Owen Anderson also earned his MLS and RSL debut as a late substitute in the 2-1 road loss, becoming all-time RSL player No. 242 in 22 seasons of MLS action.

Arriving just last week, the 23-year-old Shokalook has hit the ground running with his new Club, making his first start with the squad on Wednesday. Prior to signing his first-team Chicago Fire deal ahead of the 2026 MLS season, Shokalook finished the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season as an MVP candidate, after securing the MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot, scoring 20 goals in his 22 NEXT Pro appearances, while also notching four assists en route to being awarded MLS NEXT Pro Best XI honors. 

The Erie, Pennsylvania native brings high-level scoring ability within the 18-yard-box, as well as a knack for creating both on and off the ball. His creative runs help to stretch defenses, allowing for more space in the attacking third for his midfielders. The young forward brings speed and a nose for finding the back of the net, and as he grows more confident and comfortable with the Utah side, Shokalook could become a key piece for RSL’s attack in the final stretch of the season and its playoff push. 

Along with Shokalook, another young player with MLS NEXT Pro experience is holding midfield Colin Guske, who capped off the pair of starting debuts for RSL boss Pablo Mastroeni in the midweek Lone Star State matchup. The 19-year-old is primarily known for his impressive work rate as a defensive midfielder, one who brings depth, physical toughness and high-volume passing to the center of the pitch. A product of Orlando’s academy, Guske has quickly showcased his ability to play at the highest level, having teamed with fellow 19-year-old RSL man Aiden Hezarkhani in various U.S. Youth National Team setups.

The Florida native does not shy away from physical challenges, and enjoys disrupting opponents’ play while also showcasing a high soccer IQ for his age, often maintaining composure to sustain an exceptional passing completion rate. With his start tonight, Guske continued to showcase his high-level ability throughout the match, never backing down from a challenge against the highly-competitive Houston side. 

In the 90th minute, Anderson stepped onto the pitch for the first time ever in an MLS contest. The 19-year-old playmaker has been a constant fixture with the Monarchs over the last three years, showcasing quality passing precision that goes along with his speed and impressive ability with the ball at his feet. While the attacker only played the final six minutes of stoppage time, Anderson showed moments of brightness in the high-pressure environment, the latest amongst a growing group of exciting young talent peppered throughout RSL at all levels of its developmental model. 

The Claret-and-Cobalt now return to the Wasatch Front to play its third match in a congested eight-day span, welcoming New York City FC to America First Field this Saturday, September 12. The inter-conference matchup is slated to kickoff at 7:30 p.m. MT, with tickets for the match - expected to be RSL’s 16th consecutive MLS sellout in Sandy - available here.