RSL Hosts Must-Win Matchup Against Storied Rival LA Galaxy Saturday in Sandy

As Real Salt Lake’s 22nd Major League Soccer season comes to a close Saturday in Sandy, the Claret-and-Cobalt welcome long-time rival and star-studded nemesis LA Galaxy, needing a victory and all three points to continue the year with playoff soccer at America First Field.

Following this weekend’s results, Real Salt Lake can secure a spot in the 2027 MLS Cup Playoffs with a win over the LA Galaxy, combined with a draw or loss by Colorado, Portland, or Seattle.

The trio of Western Conference rivals (Colorado, Portland and Seattle) each sit at 43 points entering the final weekend, one point ahead of RSL - but all three lose tiebreakers with the Utah side, which has as many or more wins, and a superior goal differential. 

Should RSL both emerge victorious Saturday and have one of the three teams falter above them, the Claret-and-Cobalt will advance to the postseason for a West-best sixth straight year, the eighth time in the last nine years, and for the 16th occasion in the last 19 campaigns.  

Should Portland, Colorado and Seattle all lose Saturday at 5:00p MT, and RSL win against LA Galaxy, the Utah side could even finish this rollercoaster year as high as 7^th overall in the West!

With both RSL and LA Galaxy battling head-to-head for a desired spot in the playoffs, the must-win Decision Day battle at America First Field this Saturday, November 7, features a kickoff set for 5:00 p.m. MT.​

For those of you who like to plan ahead, the full Major League Soccer schedule announcements for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card Round will be announced the night of Decision Day, with both the East and West Wild Card matchups being played on Thursday, Nov. 19 at the homes of the eighth seeds.

The Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Round One Best-of-3 Series will be announced on the evening of Sun., Nov. 8, with Leg One dates occurring on Sat.-Sun., Nov. 21/22 (IF RSL advances, it would play away at Vancouver or the No. 2 seed here), turning around to host on Thanksgiving Weekend, with Leg Three dates (if necessary) being played on Tues.-Wed., Dec. 1-2. 

MLS Cup will be played on Friday, December 18 or Saturday, December 19 at the home of the highest-remaining seed in the 2026 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.