Player Spotlight: Sanabria Shines in Road Loss at San Jose

By Javier Mico-Crump

Real Salt Lake was unable to overcome an early, self-inflicted deficit on Saturday, falling 2-1 to the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park in the Bay Area. The result snapped RSL’s three-game win streak and a run of four unbeaten that vaulted the Utah side into postseason contention, and stopped the Claret-and-Cobalt from securing a historic nine-point week with a third consecutive away win. Now, everything is on the line in this weekend’s Decision Day, with RSL set to host the LA Galaxy in a must-win match to secure a spot in the 2026 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. 

Despite the disappointing result in the Bay Area, Saturday was headlined by a noteworthy performance by Juan Manuel Sanabria - who shined despite playing out of position against the Earthquakes - and by a pair of RSL defenders who took major strides in their injury recoveries. 

Stellar Sanabria Scores RSL Opener

Despite being RSL’s undisputed starter all year at left wingback, Uruguayan World Cup standout Juan Manuel Sanabria was tasked with stepping in for the suspended Designated Player Morgan Guilaogui (caution accumulation) in attacking midfield against San Jose. While a number of natural 10s were available for Saturday, Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni put his trust in the classy and versatile Sanabria, a decision that paid off handsomely just 23 minutes into the match.

Down after conceding two early goals, Sanabria netted the Claret-and-Cobalt’s much-needed opener to cut the deficit back to one. Georgian newcomer Saba Lobjanidze found a wide-open Sam Junqua on the left flank, the MLS veteran curling in a pinpoint cross to the surging Uruguayan, who soared to score with an emphatic far-post header.

The goal was Sanabria’s second of his debut MLS season, his first coming a few months ago when RSL suffered a 2-1 defeat on July 25 at Portland. While a Sanabria goal isn’t that common, Claret-and-Cobalt fans are well-accustomed to seeing the Uruguayan international thrive in an attacking role. Sanabria has notched nine assists in his first MLS season - second only to Guilavogui’s 10 - and his speed and crossing ability has made him one of RSL’s most dangerous pieces in attack. In the six MLS matches since returning from the September/October international break (where he scored in Uruguay's 6-1 win over India), he’s been crucial to RSL’s late-season surge, playing the full 90 in all but one match, in addition to logging three goal contributions. 

Glad Returns to Starting XI, Engel Returns from Injury

After spending five months recovering from a mysterious adductor injury suffered on May 23 at Minnesota, RSL homegrown icon Justen Glad finally returned to the starting lineup for the first time against San Jose. Mastroeni has been sure to ease the 2024 MLS All-Star back into the rotation, with the veteran centerback earning 30 minutes in the 3-0 win over St. Louis last weekend followed by 10+ in the comeback win over Austin on Wednesday. At San Jose in the Halloween matinee, RSL’s Academy poster boy made a major step in his recovery, starting and making four defensive contributions before being subbed off in the 60th minute. 

Entering the match in place of Glad was left-sided centerback Lukas Engel, who made his return to the Utah side for the first time in seven weeks after suffering a hamstring strain on September 9 in Houston. Prior to his injury, the Dane had been a focal point of Mastroeni’s defense, starting 10 games in a 13-match stretch and netting two goals across Leagues Cup and MLS action. After playing 30 minutes on Saturday, Engel could play an important role as RSL looks to qualify for the postseason with a Decision Day win Saturday at America First Field. 

With this weekend’s results, RSL must win this weekend at home - where it is 12-4-4 this season - and hope that not all three of Portland, Colorado and Seattle each win as well. That trio of Western Conference rivals each sit at 43 points entering the final weekend, one point ahead of RSL - but all three lose tiebreakers with the Utah side. 

Should RSL win, combined with one of Portland losing or drawing at Austin, Colorado failing to win at Dallas, or Seattle with fewer than the full three points at home against LAFC, then the Claret-and-Cobalt will advance to the postseason for a West-best sixth straight year, the eighth time in the last nine years, and for the 16th occasion in the last 19 campaigns.  

With both teams battling head-to-head for a desired spot in the playoffs, Real Salt Lake will host the LA Galaxy in a must-win Decision Day battle at America First Field Saturday, November 7. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. MT, with tickets available for purchase here.