Storylines | RSL Returns Home with Playoff Hopes on Line Against San Jose

By: Isabella Rubis 

Following another road loss Saturday, the Claret-and-Cobalt now shift its collective energy and focus to America First Field this midweek, as RSL Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni and his men look to replicate the impressive form showcased in its last home match, a 3-0 victory over New England on Sept. 26, along with the strong second-half performance during the 2-1 loss in Philadelphia. Under the bright lights in front of the Riot, the win and full three points are critically-important, as RSL sits four points outside the playoff bubble with just six MLS reg. season matches remaining. 

As the Claret-and-Cobalt head into its sixth midweek matchup of MLS play, this week's edition of Storylines takes a deeper look into the new and returning pieces that bolster the RSL roster, the importance of the home side reestablishing its fortress at America First Field in hopes of making a late-season playoff push, and the opponent: San Jose Earthquakes, a Western Conference side whose active unbeaten streak Real Salt Lake now looks to snap.

Fresh Faces and Returning Favorites Strengthen RSL Lineup

With only six 2026 MLS regular-season games remaining, RSL needs to maximize its dominant home record of 11-4-3 (W-L-T) across all competitions this year to pull back into the Western Conference postseason race. With key roster pieces returning from injury, international duty and visa issues featuring for the first time in months in Philadelphia Saturday, the Utah side returns home ready and capable of earning the result at America First Field this week. 

Canadian international standout Luc de Fougerolles finally was able to showcase his presence on the pitch in his MLS and RSL debut against the Union. Coming on as a second-half substitute, the 21-year-old immediately made an impact in the match, bringing his high-level defensive ability to dispossess opponents, along with a knack for progressing the ball up the pitch, earning an assist in the 96+ minute. With his helper on Saba Lobjanidze’s stoppage-time goal, de Fougerolles became the ninth player in club history to provide an assist in his debut, and the 15th out of 245 all-time players to earn a goal contribution. 

Along with de Fougerolles bolstering play on both sides of the pitch, Uruguayan World Cup standout JuanMa Sanabria came on as a second-half substitute, immediately bringing pace and impressive service on the left side of the pitch. His corner kick ultimately set the goal-scoring play in motion, leading to the score by Georgian international Saba Lobjanidze, who netted his third goal in six matches to cut the Union lead in half late.

Utah native Zach Booth and Australian striker Ari Piol also returned to play following lengthy injuries, with Booth getting his first minutes since August 15, due to a hamstring injury suffered early in that game against Minnesota, while young Australian striker Piol has impressively returned to play after just seven months following a torn Achilles suffered in RSL’s home opener back in Feb. 28, where the 22-year-old provided the game-winner against Seattle before exiting the match in the 82nd minute. With several of Mastroeni’s men back and fit to play, RSL has newfound depth and a plethora of options after having a record-high 13 players out due to various reasons (injury, international duty and visa issues) in recent weeks.

As the squad gears up for its midweek match, the Claret-and-Cobalt now look to reestablish the home dominance that thrust it near the top of the West standings earlier this season, as important roster pieces are once again available to assist in the Utah side’s push for a 2026 MLS Playoff spot.

RSL Looks to Snap Quakes Unbeaten Run  

Much like the matchup against the Union last weekend, RSL faces another team on a strong run of form, as San Jose arrives currently unbeaten in seven straight matches, with three wins and four draws since August 29. While recent form might favor the visitors, the match taking place on home soil gives the Claret-and-Cobalt the edge as the club holds a 19-7-5 (W-L-T) record across all competitions at home since June 1, 2025. With thousands of fans in the Riot this Wednesday, RSL must use the home fortress to its advantage to take an early lead and earn a necessary three points. 

Since the first meeting between the two sides in 2005, the two teams have a competitive history, with San Jose just edging out RSL in the all-time head-to-head record. Having captured one more overall win, the Quakes’ overall record against Utah is 17 wins, 16 losses and 12 draws. Although the visitors have a slight edge, Real Salt Lake has won three of its last four against San Jose on Utah soil, with the Bay Area side last earning all three points in Sandy in 2024. 

As the Claret-and-Cobalt desperately eyes a result on Wednesday, there are many pieces of the Earthquakes roster that pose a threat, including FW Preston Judd and German Designated Player Timo Werner. The 27-year-old Judd has enjoyed a breakout MLS season this year, sitting atop the Quakes’ Golden Boot leaderboard, with 15 goals and three assists. The Las Vegas native brings an aggressive pressing game and elite striking ability, pairing well with the high-level abilities of Werner, whose tactical intelligence and off-the-ball movement will be a key factor for RSL to diminish. 

With 12 different goal scorers for San Jose thus far this season, RSL must work as a defensive unit to stop the Quakes’ transitions, as well as utilize impressive wing pieces like Sanabria to string passes up the pitch and strike early. With the fight for a 2026 MLS playoff spot heating up, a win on Wednesday is paramount in RSL’s push for its sixth consecutive playoff berth and 16th qualification in the last 19 postseasons. 

Following the match on Wednesday, the Claret-and-Cobalt will look to earn its second road win of 2026 as it travels to Children’s Mercy Park for its third game in a congested week to take on Sporting Kansas City. Kickoff for the match is slated for 6:30 p.m. MT and will be streaming on Apple TV.