Storylines | Red-Hot RSL Eyes Playoff Clinch in Rematch with San Jose

By Javier Mico-Crump

After earning its second consecutive away win in a crucial midweek match at Austin FC, Real Salt Lake continues on the road this weekend, traveling to face San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday at PayPal Park. Now on a three-game win streak and looking to clinch the highest-possible spot in the playoff race, Saturday’s Western Conference rematch gives RSL a chance to avenge the tense 1-1 draw spoiled by a late concession just 17 days after the two sides shared points at America First Field. 

This edition of Storylines highlights the emergence of new faces on offense that continue to make an impact, and analyzes some unique records RSL could break as it pushes for yet anothet playoff spot.

First-Year Forwards Continue Late-Season Dominance

On Wednesday, the Claret-and-Cobalt mounted a six-minute comeback that earned a 2-1 victory in Austin. Both goals were scored by first-year RSL stars: summer newcomer and Georgian international Saba Lobjanidze and Designated Player Morgan Guilavogui. Both have enjoyed a significant impact in a short timeframe since joining the Club (Lobjanidze became just the eighth RSL player to assist in his debut back on July 22 at LAFC), but the duo has reached new levels when RSL has needed them most.​

Lobjanidze and Guilavogui have been key contributors to an RSL offense that is unbeaten in its last four and has won three consecutive matches, moving the Club above the playoff line and into ninth place in the West standings with just two games remaining. In the absence of RSL’s young talent Diego Luna, Saba has started every game during the Claret-and-Cobalt’s six-game surge, contributing a goal and an assist in the last two matches. Despite only recently earning consistent starting minutes, the Georgian international has been a force off the bench as well, totaling four goals and four assists since joining the Club in July. His latest goal, a sensationally-calm, curling strike from inside the box that soared into the top corner, was a stunning representation of the technique, vision and precision that has made Saba such a dangerous member of RSL’s attack.

Playing the 10 opposite Saba, Guilavogui has thrived during RSL’s late-season surge, scoring three goals (including his first RSL brace at Kansas City) in addition to logging multiple assists in his last three games. After picking up a yellow card against Austin, however, the French-born Guinean international will be unavailable for Saturday's showdown in San Jose, opening the door for other first-year attackers to make their mark as the season enters its final countdown.

The likely pick for Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni will be RSL homegrown Aiden Hezarkhani, who has appeared in an impressive 26 matches, starting 14, during his rookie campaign. A former Real Monarch, Academy product Hezarkhani has notched three goals this season, most recently scoring the early opener in the 3-0 win over New England Revolution that snapped RSL’s 13-game MLS winless streak. With impressive speed, skillful dribbling, and an eye for goal, the 19-year-old has proven he can be a contributor, and could be called to action on Saturday. Another name to keep an eye out for is 19-year-old Dušan Žagar, RSL’s new Serbian prospect who joined the Club in September. A winger, Žagar has been slowly gearing up for his RSL and MLS debuts, with Saturday’s match possibly providing the opportunity to make a first impression on Claret-and-Cobalt fans.

Peaking At The Right Time?

While a late concession cost Real Salt Lake a vital two points against San Jose less than three weeks ago, the Claret-and-Cobalt have another chance to earn a win against the Bay Area side this weekend. Not only would a win be critical to RSL’s playoff push and erase the memory of Jack Jasinski’s late equalizer, but it would break several long-standing records for the Utah side. A win on Saturday would be RSL’s fourth in a row, a number of consecutive MLS wins the Club hasn’t experienced since June of 2013, more than thirteen years ago. 

Additionally, amidst significant injuries and roster turnover, RSL has struggled this season in three-game weeks, holding a record of 10-12-4 (W-L-T) in these compressed calendar of matches in 2026. Against the Earthquakes, the Claret-and-Cobalt have a chance to go unbeaten in a three-game week for the first time this season, a feat the Club hasn’t achieved since July of 2023, where it earned seven out of nine possible points against Orlando, Kansas City, and Red Bull New York. 

Should RSL prevail in San Jose and earn the full nine points in an eight-day span, it would be the first time in more than 14 years that the Club has accomplished a perfect nine-point MLS week, dating back to March/April of 2012, when the Claret-and-Cobalt earned wins over Portland, Montreal, and Colorado. In the last 14 years, RSL has enjoyed multiple undefeated and even nine-point weeks, all involving Open Cup or CONCACAF Champions League matches.

Despite facing a historically-challenging period after the World Cup break, watching RSL hit its stride at the perfect moment of the season brings back memories of its historic 2009 run. While intriguing records are on the line, Mastroeni and Co. are solely focused on the next 90 minutes, earning a full three points away and inching ever-closer to the Club’s eighth playoff berth in the last nine seasons on Saturday. 

Real Salt Lake kicks off against San Jose on Halloween at 3:00 p.m. MT from PayPal Park. The match will be available to stream on AppleTV.