ST. LOUIS (Sat., Aug. 1, 2026) – Real Salt Lake (8-6-3, 27 points, 5th West, 9th Shield MLS) played St. Louis City SC (6-8-3, 21 points, 7th West, 12th Shield) to a 1-1 road draw on Saturday night, ending the Utah side’s two-game road losing streak. While the result extended RSL’s road winless streak to seven games, it ended St. Louis’ three-game win streak since returning from the international break.
23-year old rookie FW Sergi Solans scored his seventh goal of the season Saturday, moving him into the lead of the Club’s Golden Boot race. Solans’ goal was assisted by newcomer Saba Lobjanidze, who entered at half and has now notched two assists in three appearances with RSL.
Real Salt Lake Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni made four changes to the starting lineup following last Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Portland. RSL Academy product Zach Booth stepped in at right wingback for MLS All-Star Zavier Gozo, who was nursing a hip strain suffered in the mid-week All-Star Game. Another Academy product, Griffin Dillon, started in place of Stijn Spierings, snapping his 11-game starting streak, while DF Sam Junqua replaced Lukas Engel on the backline. Real Monarchs standout and 2025 MLS SuperDraft pick Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos made his first-ever MLS start on Saturday, entering in place of DP Morgan Guilavogui, serving a suspension for his red card against Portland.
St. Louis began the match red-hot in front of its fans and showcased the level of play that earned it an eight-game unbeaten streak. The home side created a plethora of half-chances, maintaining possession of the ball and denying RSL any looks on goal. By the end of the half, St. Louis had recorded seven shots - including a goal by Sang Bin Jeong disallowed for offside - while RSL had zero.
Just before the break, Griffin Dillon was replaced by Stijn Spierings as the Draper native was forced out of the game with a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot. Mastroeni made another substitution before the start of the second half, bringing on Georgian international Saba Lobjanidze to replace Lineker, who played 45 minutes in his first-ever MLS start.
The Claret-and-Cobalt looked rejuvenated coming out of the locker room and began applying serious pressure on the St. Louis defense early in the second half. In the 55th minute, Junqua controlled the ball with his chest and leaped into the air, firing a left-footed sidewinder towards the top right corner. St. Louis ‘keeper Roman Burki was up to the challenge, diving to punch away the ball and deny Junqua a highlight reel goal.
The offensive momentum paid off for RSL soon thereafter, when the Claret-and-Cobalt took the lead in the 60th minute. Receiving the ball at the edge of the box, Saba displayed his premier skill with a backheel assist that played Sergi Solans in behind the two centerbacks. Solans took a touch around the keeper and finished with a left-footed shot into the right side-netting for a 1-0 lead. The goal marked Solans’ seventh of the season, giving him the sole lead of the Club’s Golden Boot race, also earning Saba his second assist in three games since joining Real Salt Lake on July 1.
In the 72nd minute, the match was turned on its head when a misplaced pass by Captain and GK Rafael Cabral was intercepted by St. Louis substitute Marcel Hartel. The German forward took a single touch before finishing with his right foot around Cabral, tying the game at 1-1 and reigniting the St. Louis fans.
While both sides came close to finding a winner, neither was able to get a go-ahead goal in the closing minutes. St. Louis and RSL shared a point Saturday night in what was an encounter dominated by the home side
After coming back from the international break with a three-game road trip, RSL now returns home to play five games in 15 days at America First Field. The first three of these matches will be Leagues Cup contests, where RSL will host a trio of Liga MX opponents. The home opener of the tournament comes Tuesday against Liga MX power Tigres UANL, with kickoff set for 8:00 p.m. MT on August 4, with tickets available for purchase here.
GOAL SCORING SUMMARY:
STL 1 : 1 RSL
RSL: Sergi Solans (Saba Lobjanidze, Noel Caliskan) 60’: Saba received a pass from Caliskan at the top of the box and played a backheel pass into Solans. Solans took a touch around the goalkeeper and finished with his left foot.
STL: Marcel Hartel 72’: A misplaced pass by Cabral intended for Caliskan was intercepted by Hartel. Hartel took a touch and finished with his right foot around Cabral.
NOTES FROM STL 1 : 1 RSL
- Real Salt Lake is now 54W-11L-21T when scoring first in the 202-game Mastroeni era.
- Real Salt Lake is now 1-6-3 in away games this season compared to 7-1-0 at home.
- Real Monarchs standout and 2025 MLS SuperDraft pick Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos made his first-ever MLS start tonight, his lone previous MLS appearance coming on May 23 at Minnesota. Rodrigues played 45 minutes in his first start.
- With his goal Saturday, Sergi Solans now has the sole lead of the Club’s golden boot race with seven goals. The goal was the 23-year-old Spaniard’s first since the May 16 win against Colorado Rapids.
- Since joining RSL in July, Saba Lobjanidze has now recorded two assists in his three games with the club. Having entered as a substitution in all three of his matches, Saba has made significant contributions while only recording 73 minutes of playing time.
- Subbing on in the 90th minute, MF Aiden Hezarkhani earned his first minutes since May 23 at Minnesota, where he suffered a broken toe.
LINEUPS:
Real Salt Lake (5-3-2): Rafael Cabral ©; Zach Booth (Dominik Marczuk, 90+1’), DeAndre Yedlin, Philip Quinton, Sam Junqua, JuanMa Sanabria; Noel Caliskan, Diego Luna (Victor Olatunji, 78’), Griffin Dillon (Stijn Spierings, 45+1’); Lineker Rodrigues (Saba Lobjanidze, 46’), Sergi Solans (Aiden Hezarkhani, 90+1’)
Subs not used: Mason Stajduhar, Lukas Engel, Juan Arias, Alex Katranis
Head Coach: Pablo Mastroeni
STL (3-4-3): Roman Burki; Lukas MacNaughton, Timo Baumgartl, Dante Polvara; Conrad Wallem, Chris Durkin (Alexandru Matan, 65’), Daniel Edelman, Tomas Totland; Sang Bin Jeong, Simon Becher (Palmer Ault, 90+2’), Eduard Löwen (Marcel Hartel, 65’)
Subs not used: Ben Lundt, Tomas Ostrak, Rafael Santos, Fallou Fall, Miguel Perez, Mykhi Joyner
Head Coach: Yoann Damet
Stats Summary: STL / RSL
Shots: 20 / 9
Shots on Goal: 4 / 3
Saves: 2 / 3
Corner Kicks: 9 / 4
Fouls: 12 / 10
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RSL: Zach Booth (Yellow Card - 5’)
STL: Eduard Löwen (Yellow Card - 28’)
RSL: Philip Quinton (Yellow Card - 29’)
STL: Chris Durkin (Yellow Card - 43’)
STL: Sang Bin Jeong (Yellow Card - 80’)
RSL Next Match: 8/4 @ America First Field
RSL takes on Tigres in the Leagues Cup! Secure your seats for an unforgettable match at America First Field.
