Player Spotlight | RSL Celebrates Individual Milestones in Road Loss at Portland

By Javier Mico-Crump

Looking to bounce back from a 3-1 loss at LAFC on Wednesday, Real Salt Lake continued its road foray with a matchup against the Portland Timbers on Saturday. Despite scoring early, RSL was undone by a 34th-minute red card and unable to hold onto its lead, falling 2-1 in a defeat that extended the Club’s active road winless streak to six games. 

While RSL is still looking for its first point since returning from the World Cup break, Saturday’s match featured key milestones for two of its international players.

JuanMa Sanabria Maintains Sharp World Cup Form

After shining on the world stage with his national team Uruguay last month, Juan Manuel Sanabria has quickly reasserted himself into his crucial role on Real Salt Lake’s left flank. While both teams had chances early, it was RSL that capitalized first on a goal from Sanabria in the 18th minute. Standing near the left touchline, Sanabria received a ball from Lukas Engel and played a pass into Guinean international Morgan Guilavogui. Guilavogui took a touch and completed a give-and-go with Sanabria who scored with a left-footed shot into the side-netting at the far post.

The goal on Saturday was Sanabria’s first in MLS since joining the Claret-and-Cobalt in February. That makes back-to-back games in which an RSL player has scored their first MLS goal, after Engel got on the scoresheet late against LAFC last Wednesday. In addition to his goal, Sanabria leads the Club with six assists this season, tied with Guilavogui—who’s assist to Sanabria was his sixth, one ahead of MLS All-Star Zavier Gozo’s five.

Sanabria was the lone player on RSL’s roster to be called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer, and he made the most out of his time in the spotlight. Sanabria made his debut as a substitute in La Celeste’s opener against Saudi Arabia, and earned a spot in the starting XI in the remaining matches against Cape Verde and Spain. In the match against the eventual world champions, Sanabria was tasked with defending 19-year-old Ballon d’Or candidate Lamine Yamal, a test he passed with flying colors.

Even though the Utah side couldn’t get a result on Saturday, Sanabria’s goal served as another reminder that the Uruguayan is one of the most valuable pieces on RSL’s roster, thanks to his unique combination of suffocating defense and creativity in the attack.

Juan Jose Arias Makes His RSL Debut

Subbing on for Engel in the 74th minute, Juan Jose Arias stepped onto the field to make his debut for Real Salt Lake on Saturday night. Arias joined RSL on loan from Colombian side Atlético Nacional in February and recently signed a permanent deal, the club announced earlier this week. Despite the difficult circumstances of playing with just 10 men, Arias played 16 minutes in his debut, making three defensive contributions including one block and two clearances in the little time he was on the pitch. 

Prior to making his RSL debut, Arias spent time with MLS Next Pro team Real Monarchs, starting games against Portland Timbers 2 and LAFC 2 in May of this year. Before his move to MLS, the Colombian logged a total of 74 appearances across all competitions with Atletico Nacional, winning five titles in his four years with the club. At only 22 years old, Arias is one of the youngest players on the roster, and his presence injects a welcome security and depth that is greatly needed in the absence of injured veterans like Justen Glad. 

Looking to snap its road winless streak before the return for Leagues Cup play, RSL will travel to face St. Louis City SC this Saturday, August 1, with kickoff set for 6:30 PM MT from Energizer Park. 

At the conclusion of its three-game MLS road trip, RSL finally returns home on Tuesday, August 4, to kick off Leagues Cup 2026 against Liga MX power Tigres UANL in the first of five home games in 15 days at America First Field. RSL also hosts Atlante FC on Sat., August 8 and FC Juarez on Tues., August 11 in Leagues Cup Phase One matches, with a return to MLS competition on Sat., August 15 against Minnesota United and Wednesday, August 22 against FC Dallas. Tickets for all five matches are available at www.RSL.com/tickets, as RSL looks to extend its 13-game sellout streak in Sandy, and improve upon the Club’s 16-4-2 home mark since last June.