“There’s no place like home”. Famously associated with the 1939 film, The Wizard of OZ, when Dorothy clicks her ruby slippers in the final act and wakes up back in Kansas, the quote represents the nostalgia of being in a familiar place, with family or loved ones.
More than 85 years later, for RSL this couldn’t be more true as the club returns to America First Field to play in front of its home fans for the first time since April 19, a game marred by a since-rescinded red card to Diego Luna against Toronto.
Nearly a month has passed since the team played at its Sandy home, America First Field. During this time, it captured four points in three away games at San Diego, Vancouver, and Dallas. The Club logged a victory, a draw, and a defeat on its road run, its 13 points through 12 games on the season placing it 11th in the West. Things have changed considerably since its 1-0 home loss against Toronto, including the addition of two new players to the roster— William Agada and Johnny Russell— and the emergence of 18-year-old FW Zavier Gozo, who has earned a spot in the starting lineup.
Agada made his starting XI debut for the game against Dallas and was an effective substitute option for Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni in the first two outings. Despite his involvement in the past three games, Agada will be unavailable in the upcoming home match against Portland due to a controversial ejection he received in the second half against Dallas. This opens up the possibility for Ari Piol or Jesus Barea to return to the starting lineup during this three-game week, and for Johnny Russell to make his official RSL debut. On top of the absence of the Nigerian striker, RSL will also be without club veteran Justen Glad as a consequence of an accumulation of yellow cards.
RSL will be looking to grab its first win at AFF since its 2-0 victory against LA Galaxy on April 5. The Wasatch Front welcomes the Portland Timbers, which have won three of its last four in all competitions and currently sits third in the conference with 21 points. In this edition of Storylines we’ll dive into the hottest headlines heading into Wednesday’s clash.
Improvising Amid a Storm of Absences
Absences have been a dilemma for RSL so far this season. Injuries and red cards have dictated various lineup changes, with GK Rafael Cabral the lone “Iron Man” for RSL, with the spine of Glad, Diego Luna, Diogo Gonçalves, Braian Ojeda and Captain Emeka Eneli each missing just one game prior to this week. Consistent rotation on the outside and up top has made it difficult at times to build a foundation as RSL heads into the second match of a three-game week Wednesday against the Timbers.
As previously mentioned, FW William Agada will miss Wednesday’s affair after receiving a second yellow card in the 58th minute of play last Saturday night. The match official interpreted that the 25-year-old simulated a foul in the box in a one-on-one opportunity with the Dallas goalkeeper, earning a second yellow card. This controversial decision directly affects the game with Portland, as he will have to serve a suspension and Mastroeni will need to once again find an alternative within an already banged up roster.
The inclusion of Australian FW Ari Piol at the striker position is the most likely option heading into matchday 13. The 20-year-old has been a popular player among the squad in 2025, appearing in 10 MLS games so far this season, including eight starts. However, his lack of goal scoring has raised questions about whether he may need more time to adapt to the league or if he should be slowly developed, keeping in mind that he is a young prospect. These questions are valid nevertheless, the limited options the team has at its disposal in the position continue to keep his name at the top of the list.
For the second game in a row, Johnny Russell will be available for selection which could potentially spur a surprising change in the lineup. The Scottish journeyman was announced as the newest free agent signing on April 25, brought in to add depth and experience to RSL’s forward line. The former Derby County and Sporting KC player is primed to make his debut this week but the question lingers whether it will be as a starter or coming off the bench. All signs point to a bench role for the 35-year-old who will be eager to introduce himself to the home crowd.
DF Justen Glad will be another notable absence for this week. The veteran center-back has received a one match suspension due to the accumulation of yellow cards. Possible replacements for Glad could come from either Bode Hidalgo or Brayan Vera, each of whom missed the game in Dallas. Quinton suffered a hamstring injury that sidelined him for a game and Vera has been recovering from a head injury that he suffered against San Diego. Should either or both be available on Wednesday, they’d serve as fitting replacements for Glad.
Home Field Advantage Returns
RSL has a quick turnaround between Dallas and Portland— it played in Dallas on Saturday and will play in Sandy on Wednesday— with only three days to recuperate and focus on the Timbers. Additionally, only three days later it will go up against its rivals, the Colorado Rapids. The lack of rest and / or the quick succession of matches may play a significant role in these upcoming games, more rotations to support the heavy workload.
Real Salt Lake and Portland Timbers have faced off 39 times, including multiple postseason meetings. RSL draws the short end of the stick in this historical matchup. The Timbers hold a slight edge over the Utah club, claiming 15 victories to RSL’s 13. The most recent encounter between the two on September 21 of last year, ended in a 3-3 scoring frenzy-with all of the home team’s goal scorers, Dominik Marczuk, Diego Luna, and Diogo Gonçalves, still on the active roster. The team will look to replicate the efficiency from that performance, however a much different game is expected as both teams have made significant changes to lineups since. RSL will also be looking to snap a four-game winless streak in MLS to their rivals, with the last victory coming in 2022, a 3-1 home win over the Timbers.
Diego Luna will have the opportunity to extend his goal-scoring streak to four games and potentially take the number one spot as the MLS top goalscorer, facing a team that has conceded the most goals of any team in the top 18 in the Supporter’s Shield. Luna has scored four goals in his last three games, bringing his season tally to seven goals in 11 games. At this rate, he can break the club’s single season scoring record set by Costa Rican international Álvaro Saborío in 2012 with 17 goals in 31 games and equalized by Colombian Chicho Arango just last season in 30 games. To combat this, teams will likely begin to play more aggressively against Luna to prevent further scoring success, which may force RSL to start finding answers from other offensive players.
On the other hand, the opposition will undoubtedly attempt to exploit the home side’s defensive weaknesses. Players to look out for are Chilean FW Felipe Mora who has notched five goals so far this season and Brazilian Antony Alves Santos who has scored four goals and provided five assists. The team makes up for its defensive liabilities with its highly efficient attacking statistics, 22 scores and an expected 1.83 goals per game, according to fbref.com.
This Wednesday will mark the first midweek game of the MLS season against a tough Portland Timbers opponent who will look to spoil Real Salt Lake’s homecoming. Game kicks off at 7:30 MT. Tickets are available here.
