By Isabella Rubis
Monday, Oct. 20, 2025
In a tense, back-and-forth showdown on Decision Day, Real Salt Lake battled to a 2-2 stalemate in St. Louis, clinching a spot in this week’s Wild Card match and securing a Conference-best fifth consecutive postseason appearance.
Decision Day delivered all the drama as Real Salt Lake booked its place in the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs with a dramatic 2-2 draw in St. Louis, powered by a crucial brace from Nigerian striker Victor Olatunji. The result secured RSL the ninth overall seed in the Western Conference and a spot in the Wild Card match, where it will travel to face the Portland Timbers this Wednesday, October 22 at 8:30 PM MT. The stalemate on decision day brings RSL’s record to 4-0-1 (W-L-T) since Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni seized the reins in August, 2021.
This year’s postseason path won’t be easy. Just a few days removed from that gritty draw, RSL enters this must-win clash on short rest, needing one more big performance to keep its MLS Cup 2025 hopes alive. A win in Portland - either in regulation or via penalty-kick shootout after 90 minutes - would set up a First-Round matchup against San Diego in a best-of-3 series; anything less than a win at Providence Park on Wednesday would end the season with thr briefest of postseason runs.
Last year, RSL entered the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs as the third overall seed in the West, but were eliminated by a surging Minnesota side, dropping both the home and away legs in heartbreaking fashion on the penalty-kick tiebreaker.
This time around, the margin for error is even smaller, and the pressure even higher. Can Mastroeni and his squad defy the odds on short rest, survive the Wild Card, and begin an extended playoff run against San Diego, the West No. 1 seed, albeit an expansion side? After all, everyone loves an underdog story.
Trials, Tribulations, and the Emergence of New Stars
RSL’s 2025 MLS campaign was anything but smooth sailing. Kicking off the year with a humbling 4-0 loss at San Jose Earthquakes for a side rotated from Champions Cup play 72 hours earlier in Costa Rica, the Claret-and-Cobalt were immediately faced with adversity that set the tone for a season defined by grit, resilience, and bouncing back. Throughout the year, the Utah squad endured its share of highs and lows, including heartbreaking losses and key moments that didn’t fall in its favor. But through it all, Real Salt Lake stuck together, put in the work, and found a way to fight its way into the postseason once again.
Amid the ups and downs of the 2025 season, several RSL players rose to the occasion and delivered standout performances that helped propel the club into the postseason. One of the brightest surprises came from 18-year-old homegrown talent Zavier Gozo, who broke onto the first-team scene with confidence and consistency. In his debut MLS season, Gozo tallied four goals and three assists - the most goal contributions by a teenager in the Club’s 21-hear history - earning himself a regular spot in the starting XI, while simultaneously balancing duties with the U.S. Youth National Team. His composure, creativity, and relentless work ethic made him a difference-maker and one of the most exciting young players in the league. His efforts were recognized league-wide, earning him the No. 10 spot on the 2025 MLS 22 Under 22 list by MLSSoccer.com.
In goal, Brazilian veteran Rafael Cabral has anchored the squad with world-class performances and undeniable leadership. Quickly becoming a fan favorite, Cabral embraced the Captain’s role midway through the year, wearing the armband for the final 22 matches and leading by example. His shot-stopping ability has been nothing short of elite, with four regulation penalty saves and nine clean sheets to his name this season, one in which he played every single minute of 39 games across three competitions, totaling 3,510 entering Wednesday’s Portland playoff match. More than just numbers, Cabral’s “Iron Man” presence has been the backbone of the team, steadying the squad through rough patches and inspiring belief when it mattered most.
In just a short time with the club, Olatunji has already cemented himself as a critical piece of Real Salt Lake’s postseason push. Arriving in August from Sparta Prague, the Nigerian striker has risen to the occasion when RSL needed him most, scoring four goals in just eight appearances, including a clutch brace on Decision Day that ultimately secured the team’s spot in the postseason. His performance in St. Louis wasn’t just timely; it was clinical, with both goals showcasing his growing confidence and elite finishing instincts.
Olatunji’s presence on the pitch is impossible to ignore. Standing tall and strong, he naturally commands attention from defenders, his high-pressure work rate, sharp one-touch shooting, and increasingly precise placement on goal have made him a game-changer for the Claret-and-Cobalt. As RSL heads into the Wild Card contest, Olatunji appears to be hitting form at just the right time, a dangerous sign for opponents, and a massive boost for a team that has relied on collective resilience all season long.
Wild Card Countdown: Key Names Poised to Make the Difference
As RSL prepares for its Wild Card showdown, several key players will be critical in keeping the postseason dream alive and potentially spoiling Portland’s hopes of a deep playoff run. While breakout stars like Olatunji, Gozo, and Cabral have already grabbed headlines, there’s no shortage of other talent ready to step up when it matters most.
RSL starlet Diego Luna - the Club’s 2025 Golden Boot winner with 10 goals (nine in MLS) and seven assists - at the heart of that conversation. The 22-year-old USMNT midfielder has become one of RSL’s most important pieces, combining technical creativity, striking ability, and defensive grit in the midfield. Luna has a knack for rising to the occasion and brings a level of intensity that’s tailor-made for knockout soccer. With his vision and shooting ability, he’s a player capable of turning a game on its head in a single moment, exactly the kind of presence you want in a do-or-die playoff match.
Veteran defender DeAndre Yedlin, acquired late in the season from FC Cincinnati, brings something just as valuable: playoff experience. A veteran of both MLS and the English Premier League, Yedlin has quickly solidified the backline for RSL. His pace, shooting ability, defensive awareness, and poise under pressure make him a dynamic right-sided option on both halves of the ball, and a leader whose composure will be vital in a high-stakes environment like Wednesday’s Wild Card clash.
Then there’s the Latin trio that has played a huge role in RSL’s success throughout the season: Designated Player Diogo Gonçalves, defender Brayan Vera and midfielder Braian Ojeda. Gonçalves has found his rhythm in recent months, notching four goals and four assists while showing his ability to create both on and off the ball. Ojeda, known for his long-range shooting and relentless two-way play, hit his stride during Leagues Cup and hasn’t looked back since. Vera, meanwhile, has added a physical edge and thunderous shot from the backline, his goal against LAFC earlier this season, struck with such force it seemed to leave a comet-like streak across the field, his power on the ball and no nonsense defending is a force on the pitch.
With a balanced mix of youthful energy and veteran leadership, RSL enters the postseason with more than just momentum, it has the depth and firepower to be a real threat. And with key players hitting form at the right time, anything is possible.
A Look Back: RSL v Portland in 2025
This season, Real Salt Lake and Portland Timbers have already battled twice, setting the stage for an intense Wild Card clash. The first meeting on May 14 in Utah ended in a hard-fought 0-0 draw, with both teams showing strong defensive discipline and resilience. Then, on July 16 in Portland, RSL earned a crucial 1-0 road victory with a goal from Gonçalves in the 83rd minute, showcasing its ability to capitalize and fight until the final whistle to grind out results away from home.
Heading into Wednesday’s knockout match, RSL will need to build on that toughness and tactical discipline. Maintaining defensive organization, controlling the midfield, and converting chances especially in transition. With a compact shape and high energy, RSL must pressure Portland’s backline relentlessly and avoid costly mistakes. It’s a game of fine margins, and the Claret-and-Cobalt will need its key players firing on all cylinders to come out on top.
The Claret-and-Cobalt take the field this Wednesday, October 22, with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 PM MT, streaming live on Apple TV.. This is the moment everything has been building towards, one decisive 90-minute battle that will determine who advances to the next round of the 2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. All season long, the fight has led here, and now it’s time for RSL to leave it all on the field.
