Last Saturday’s encounter in San Diego left RSL fans with an optimistic outlook going forward, the dominant victory like the Sun peering through the clouds that had seen four losses - some in controversial fashion - in the previous five matches. Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni’s team was the first to ever defeat expansion San Diego at home, and the 3-1 scoreline represented RSL’s best scoring output in nearly a half-season (17 games) since last September.
As a result, the Utah Club has propelled itself into a more comfortable position in the League table, with eyes set on not just qualifying for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for a fifth straight year, or for an eight in 11 seasons, or for a 15th in 18 campaigns, but to hold home-field advantage and make a deep run and compete for hardware.
Now, as MLS Matchday 11 beckons, Real Salt Lake must prepare for its second of three consecutive away games, this Saturday against the Western Conference and Supporters Shield leaders, Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Eleven points separate the Whitecaps and RSL in the table, with the Canadians gathering 23 points over 10 games in the MLS while Mastroeni’s side accumulating just 12 points. One detail to keep in mind over the next few days until the starting lineups are released is that Vancouver will have its focus split between RSL and Inter Miami, Wednesday’s CONCACAF Champions Cup Semifinal opponent. This midweek second leg in Ft. Lauderdale could hold massive implications for the home team on Saturday, with RSL seeking back-to-back results for the first time this year.
Newly-signed FW Johnny Russell should be available for the road contest and could see minutes for the first time in an RSL uniform. The free-agent signing will provide needed depth, experience and leadership in the attack. Only days before signing Russell, RSL closed a separate deal, trading for and signing his former Sportimg Kansas City teammate, William Agada. The striker was acquired from KC and made his debut last Saturday in the away win against San Diego, coming off the bench. These moves from Chief Soccer Officer Kurt Schmid signify a commitment to improve the squad at the close of the primary transfer window.
In this edition of Storylines, we’ll analyze the upcoming contest between Vancouver and Salt Lake and the new signings’ expected impact on the trajectory of the team.
Slaying the Season’s Strongest
The first 10 games of the MLS season have revealed a few surprises in contrast to last season. So far, none of the current top three teams in the Western Conference were in the top three at the end of the 2024 season. Last year LAFC, LA Galaxy, and RSL sat at the top of the table while this year, the Whitecaps, Portland, and Austin FC occupy the top spots. Vancouver has had a breakout season so far and shows no signs of slowing down. Not only is it the best-positioned team in the League, but also fighting for a chance to qualify to the continental finals of the Champions Cup.
The Claret-and-Cobalt are still trying to find consistency on the pitch, with back-to-back losses on three occasions this year, with lone wins interspersed. The previous game against San Diego might have unlocked something in the team that, up until this point, hadn’t been visible, and hopefully that’s the efficiency and precision in front of goal. RSL scored three goals in a game for the first time this season, its first in a 17-game span dating back to last September. Looking forward to this Saturday, the squad hopes to repeat its high-scoring efficiency, but this time against the team that has conceded the fewest goals through 10 games in the entirety of MLS.
The last time that RSL won two consecutive away games was in April 2024, when it defeated Chicago Fire, 4-0, and then Philadelphia Union, 2-1. To add insult to injury, the Whitecaps haven’t lost a game in more than a month, its last loss coming against Chicago, falling 3-1 at home in March. Since then, Vancouver has not faltered, winning four games and drawing four across all competitions.
Although RSL will need to prepare to face the best team in the League, it might not go up against the best XI it has at its disposal. Since Vancouver is on the cusp of moving onto the Champions Cup final, it may rest key players this Saturday with the assumed priority being the prior match against Inter Miami this Wednesday.
Former RSL MF Damir Kreilach could find his way into the starting XI if Whitecaps Head Coach Jesper Sørensen decides to rotate his players. Kreilach was a key player during his time at the club, spending six seasons and making 151 appearances. The Croatian appears third on the club’s all-time highest goalscorers list, tallying 47 goals and providing 18 assists, according to fbref.com.
Experience and Efficiency
Last week, the Wasatch Front welcomed two new signings for the 2025 season. Nigerian striker William Agada and Scottish winger Johnny Russell were added to the 2025 RSL roster, adding crucial depth to the team’s attack. In fact, both players are already familiar with each other as they were teammates at Sporting KC since 2022.
Agada made his official debut with the club last Saturday, while Russell will look to contribute this upcoming weekend. The signings address an overall issue that has plagued the team since the beginning of the season, including the elimination against Herediano in the Champions Cup - lack of finishing in the final third. Nearly two months into the season, RSL has scored just 11 goals in 10 games, an anemic rate of barely a goal per game.
In three years with Kansas City, the Nigerian appeared in 65 games and scored 21 goals, while adding 5 assists. That comes out to roughly one goal every three games, a rate which could surely benefit RSL. The Scotsman, entering his 19th professional season, has made 504 total appearances, logging 125 goals and 63 assists between the MLS, English Championship and Scottish Premier League, according to fbref.com.
There’s a chance that we see Agada make his first start this weekend, likely in place of Ari Piol. In Russell’s case, since he hasn’t made his Club debut yet, he will likely be an option coming off the bench, his right wing position occupied by Dominik Marczuk and Zavier Gozo.
Real Salt Lake continue its three-game road run Saturday in Canada, where it will face the Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place, kickoff set for 7:30 MT on Apple TV+ / MLS Season Pass. Following a trip to Dallas on May 10, RSL will be back home on Wednesday, May 14, against the red-hot Portland Timbers FC.
