Real Salt Lake kicked off this very congested three‑game week in impressive fashion, securing a gritty 1-0 home win over West rival Houston on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The clutch victory, sealed by striker William Agada’s 42nd‑minute strike off a Pablo Ruiz corner, extended RSL’s active midsummer unbeaten run to four matches, the team’s best stretch since last fall.
Anchored by goalkeeper Rafael Cabral‘s leadership and a rock‑solid defense that earned its sixth clean sheet of the year, the Claret-and-Coblat demonstrated the resolute “grit and grind” style that RSL boss Pablo Mastroeni has long encouraged. With momentum on its side, Real Salt Lake now gears up for a midweek trip to Portland this Wednesday, July 16, prior to kicking off a five-game homestand versus Cincinnati on Saturday, July 19, to round out what promises to be a tightly-packed and potentially pivotal week.
As RSL travels to Providence Park, it is determined to extend its unbeaten streak and build on the momentum from the recent wins over St. Louis and Houston. This matchup carries added significance, as Real Salt Lake will be eager for redemption after a disappointing three-game week back in May that saw the squad come away with just one point, suffering two losses on either side of a home midweek 0-0 draw against Portland. With lessons learned, form on its side and key players (Diego Luna, Braian Ojeda, Emeka Eneli) returning from recent absences, RSL will be eyeing all six points available in both games this week.
In this edition of Storylines, we’ll break down the upcoming clash with Portland and highlight the key players to watch heading into the midweek matchup.
Targeting Portland: RSL Seeks to Derail Timbers’ Success
Portland Timbers FC has quietly built one of the more impressive campaigns in MLS this year, consistently hovering near the top of the Western Conference standings and making Providence Park a tough venue for visiting sides. Currently sitting fifth in the West standings, the home side welcomes 11th-ranked RSL, which will be looking to suppress the Timbers’ offensive firepower and return to Utah with maximum points.
Real Salt Lake squared off against Portland earlier this season in a tightly-contested battle that ended in a 0-0 stalemate. RSL dominated possession for stretches, the early parts of the match highlighted by a near miss from 18-year-old Zavier Gozo just before halftime and a Diego Luna free‑kick that rattled the crossbar. In order to fulfill the midweek gameplan, the Claret-and-Cobalt will need to stop Portland’s leading man, Brazilian winger Antony, who leads his squad with 6 goals and 8 assists so far this campaign.
To secure the result in Portland, RSL will need to stay disciplined at the back and limit the Timbers’ explosive attacking threats, which have been dangerous in transition all season. At the same time, capitalizing on chances in the final third will be key, finding the back of the net which has proven to be a struggle for RSL this season. In its last five matches, Real Salt Lake has managed seven goals, highlighting recent struggles in the final third, while Portland has found the net six times over the same stretch, evermore proving the importance of team cohesion heading into the midweek matchup.
Key Contributors on the Field and Absences to Note
RSL’s current four-game unbeaten stretch has been driven by standout performances from several key figures, including Luna - who returned to the midfield Saturday following a sterling Hold cup run with the U.S. - injecting creativity, serving up chances and dictating tempo. Having the “Moon Man” on the field will be crucial as RSL heads into a tough road environment, with his spontaneity, and overall spark ideal for breaking down a disciplined Portland defense.
Standout Noel Caliskan - now in his third year in MLS, and second with RSL - has continued to impress with his composure and distribution along the back line. Since making his MLS debut at right back in 2025, Caliskan has worked tirelessly each week to be a positive force in defense—racking up countless 1-on-1 tackles and consistently disrupting the opposition’s rhythm. His reliability is undoubtedly a key reason behind his streak of 10 consecutive starts, and his presence will be a major factor as he faces his former team on Wednesday. Late in the Houston game, Caliskan was slotted at holding midfield - his natural position during the last three seasons - where we could see him Wednesday, as the immense Braian Ojeda is suspended due to caution accumulation.
With Ojeda out, the question remains: who will step in to replace him? The most obvious option is RSL Captain Emeka Eneli, who recently returned to action after being sidelined by a foot injury sustained in the May match against Vancouver. Eneli made a brief appearance late in the match against Houston on Saturday, raising the question of whether it’s wise for him to play extended minutes on the artificial surface in Portland, or if it’s better to ease him back in to ensure he’s fully fit and operational for the remainder of the season, critical to RSL’s ongoing playoff push.
If Eneli isn’t ready, Caliskan is another strong option. The German defender, originally a midfielder, could step up to the challenge. Having played in the midfield during his time with Portland and on multiple occasions for RSL last year, a move back to that role against his former team on Wednesday could carry added significance. His grit and energy would be valuable assets in RSL’s midfield, especially in Ojeda’s absence.
RSL will look to keep the positive momentum rolling as it aims for a third-straight victory and to continue climbing the Western Conference table. A win in Portland would not only extend its unbeaten run but also help in moving one step closer to the playoff line, with the Utah side four points behind seventh-place Colorado with two games in hand.
The road match against Portland Timbers this Wednesday marks RSL’s third midweek game of the season and will be available on Apple TV+ / MLS Season Pass. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 PM MT. RSL returns to America First Field this Saturday, July 19, to host East power FC Cincinnati. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. MT. Tickets are available for purchase here.