It’s time for our yearly trip to the foot of the great Wasatch Range, where the good people of Salt Lake City are just counting down the days until they get to see the mighty Loons grace the pitch at America First Field. The second matchup between RSL and Minnesota United is scheduled for this Saturday, and with these two clubs in very different positions, it’s shaping up to be a uniquely intriguing fixture.
Minnesota United (13-6-8)
Run of Form: W-L-L-D-W (All Competitions)
After dropping two consecutive matches for the first time in 2025, the Loons rebounded with a huge win over Seattle last time out. Not only did the 1-0 win put them within just five points of the Supporters’ Shield leaders (San Diego and Cincinnati, both on 52 points), but it also opened up a six-point gap between them and the Sounders in fourth place. The disappointing end to Leagues Cup has seemingly dissipated, leaving us with the same Loons we got used to watching before the midseason tournament started. While they may not have created as many clear-cut chances as they would have liked against Brian Schmetzer’s men, a win is a win, and three points against Seattle always go a long way toward boosting morale.
Real Salt Lake (9-13-4)
Run of Form: L-L-W-D-D (All Competitions)
Watching RSL this season has rarely ever been dull, and that includes their most recent stretch of games. Leagues Cup saw them play a pair of thrillers against Club América and San Luis, and their return to MLS action has already seen two red cards in two straight losses. They’ve got a roster that is capable of playing with any opposition. Unfortunately, they’re capable of losing to just about any opposition, as well. But, we’ll save that little hot take for the keys to the match so you have to keep reading. Ha!
Keys to the Match:
Still Jockeying (No Horses)
It still feels crazy to say that we’ve entered the closing stage of the regular season, but with just seven games left, it’s true. We’ve already discussed how close your Loons are to the top of the Western Conference, giving them plenty to fight for as they look to secure a spot in next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup, lift the Supporters’ Shield, and lock down prime seeding for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. Down in 10th place, though, the motivation to jockey for position is still potent; albeit, for a very different reason. As of now, RSL is just a single point out of the Wild Card spots, in the thick of a five-team battle for those last two postseason spots. They’ll need several positive results in the closing weeks if they want to extend their season beyond mid-October. That means they’ve got just as much reason to fight as the Loons do, and perhaps an edge of desperation clinging to that reason. Losses for the Loons, while disappointing and entirely unwanted, would still leave room for accomplishments this season. For RSL, every game from here on out is going to feel like a playoff match.
Feast or Famine
After 26 regular-season games, Real Salt Lake have only drawn four times this season. Across all of Major League Soccer, only Charlotte FC (2) have drawn less games than RSL. One way or another, the Claret and Cobalt seem to enjoy seeing a team leave each of their games with a full three points. They’ve beaten San Diego, lost to the Galaxy, and generally put together some of the most inconsistent form in the league. They’ve landed on the negative side of that win-loss balance, earning nine wins to their 13 losses. They’ve scored the second-fewest goals in the conference (27), conceded the joint second-fewest in the conference (33), and managed to somehow look like a playoff team in the very same matches they end up losing 2-1 after going down — or up — a man. They’ve embraced their own brand of chaos in 2025, and while it didn’t phase the Loons during the 2-0 MNUFC win back in March, they’re exactly the kind of opponent that teams fighting for trophies could easily be surprised by this time of year. Someone’s likely leaving the pitch with three points this weekend; it’s anyone’s guess who that’s going to be.
Consistency is King
I love it when the keys to the match build on one another, don’t you? Whereas this weekend’s hosts have proven to be somewhat volatile form-wise, your Loons have been historically consistent in 2025. Where many teams across the league rely on special performances from special players to define their success, MNUFC has cultivated a style that allows special players to perform within a structure that suits their individual play, as well as their collective interplay. It’s a culture built on the trust that comes from player buy-in, tactical discipline, and a clear, defined vision. When they last came up against RSL in March, it looked like a walk in the park for the Loons to pick up the three points. Now, maybe Diego Luna had an off day, but even if each of the Claret and Cobalt’s best players have their best days at the office, the defensive solidity that has become MNUFC’s trademark this season won’t be easy to break down. Your Loons are built to deal with teams of all types, meaning they should be able to compete with whatever version of RSL we see this weekend.
