By Isabella Rubis
Thursday July, 9 2025
The Claret-and-Cobalt kicked off its jam-packed July schedule with a bang, securing a much-needed three points in a 3-2 thriller at America First Field against St. Louis to open a month that features five of its six matches at home, spanning both MLS play and Leagues Cup. The win undoubtedly fuels the squad’s growing confidence and hunger as it continues to push towards securing a playoff spot in the 2025 campaign.
Back on home turf for a second consecutive week, Real Salt Lake enters Saturday’s home match against recent nemesis Houston riding a three-game unbeaten streak, capturing seven of the last nine available points in a stretch that has reignited confidence and ambition within the locker room. The Utah side is determined to leverage the passionate energy of its fans at America First Field, turning the stadium into a fortress where opponents struggle to find a foothold. With a balanced attack and a disciplined defense, RSL aims to extend its run, build momentum, and solidify a place as a formidable force in the Western Conference.
Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni has continued to rely on his squad to step up in the absence of key playmakers sidelined by injuries and international duty. With Captain Emeka Eneli out due to a foot injury, midfielders Nelson Palacio and Pablo Ruiz have risen to the challenge, delivering valuable minutes for the Claret-and-Cobalt. Real Salt Lake also welcomed back newly-minted green card holder and Paraguayan midfielder Braian Ojeda in Saturday’s 3-2 victory over STL, adding much-needed depth to the heart of RSL’s midfield.
Along with the return of Ojeda, Mastroeni and company eagerly anticipate the homecoming of MLS All-Star Diego Luna, fresh off a successful international stint. Luna scored his first goal for the Red, White and Blue in the Gold Cup quarterfinal, a penalty-shootout victory over Costa Rica, following that up with a 14-minute brace in the Semifinal win against Guatemala last Wednesday, helping send the USMNT to the Gold Cup Final. Luna’s confidence is soaring, and RSL will be looking to harness that momentum heading into the weekend.
In this edition of Storylines, we dive into the key headlines every RSL supporter should know ahead of Saturday’s rivalry matchup.
RSL Aims to Break the Trend, Hosting a Historically Troublesome Houston
Saturday’s clash at America First Field sees Real Salt Lake welcoming a familiar foe in the Houston Dynamo, marking the 11th meeting between the two sides in just the past three years. No other Western Conference matchup has occurred more frequently in that span, and for RSL, the high number of encounters has historically come with disappointing results.
Now, with home-field advantage and momentum on its side, RSL will look to turn recent familiarity into a much-needed statement win against one of its most frequent and frustrating opponents.
The Claret-and-Cobalt earned a hard-fought 2-1 win in Houston back in March, earning not just another three points but a long-overdue breakthrough. The victory marked Real Salt Lake’s first triumph over the Dynamo in the last 10 meetings across all competitions since 2023, and its first road win in Houston since August 2018, snapping a 10-game winless streak on Texas soil.
Looking back on this hard-fought rivalry, RSL’s recent win in March was only its third 90-minute victory over Houston in its last ten meetings, a testament to how fiercely contested these matchups have been. One of those rare wins came in an unforgettable 3-2 comeback thriller in July 2023, where RSL stormed back to steal all three points in dramatic fashion. The other came during the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, when Real Salt Lake edged out Houston in a tense penalty shootout - in a series RSL ultimately lost. While wins have been tough to come by, each one has carried weight, and Saturday presents another opportunity for the Claret-and-Cobalt to shift the tide in this increasingly intense Western Conference rivalry.
While the rivalry between Real Salt Lake and Houston Dynamo carries weight for the club as a whole, it holds an added layer of significance for defender Sam Junqua. The versatile fullback spent four seasons with the Dynamo, developing as a professional and making over 50 appearances before joining RSL. Now on the other side of the rivalry, Junqua brings valuable insight into Houston’s system and added motivation to perform against his former club. Junqua made the start in the away victory in March and will no doubt look to add valuable minutes in the home match on Saturday.
Returning Home: Moon Man Rejoins RSL After Representing Country
After a standout run with the U.S. Men’s National Team at the Gold Cup, Luna returns to Real Salt Lake brimming with confidence and momentum. The 21-year-old midfielder made international headlines scoring his first international goal in the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup and adding two more to his tally in the 2-1 semifinal victory.
Luna’s breakout performances in the Gold Cup have firmly cemented his status as a rising star. Not only on the international stage but also under the watchful eye of U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino. His skill, creativity, and composure in high-pressure moments have elevated him from promising talent to reliable starter in a matter of weeks.
As Luna returns to Utah, Real Salt Lake will be hoping he brings that same confidence and sharp form back with him, ready to build on his momentum and make an immediate impact and timely boost as RSL pushes through this critical stretch of the season.
RSL Hungry to Continue Unbeaten Streak
Real Salt Lake enters this weekend’s matchup riding a three-game unbeaten streak, its first such run since October 2024, giving fans plenty of reason to feel optimistic heading into its next challenge.
Undoubtedly, RSL will be looking to extend this streak and doing so against longtime rivals Houston Dynamo would make the victory all the more satisfying. With both teams familiar foes, every match between the two carries extra weight and a win over Houston on home turf would not only boost RSL’s confidence but also send a strong message to the rest of the Western Conference.
RSL supporters have plenty to be optimistic about as the team continues to find its rhythm and build momentum. The recent unbeaten run shows that the squad is clicking at the right time, and with its roster bolstered with the return of key players like Luna only adds fuel to that fire.
While the sentiment from the locker room has been focused on a “one game at a time” mentality, fans can look forward to an exciting stretch ahead as Real Salt Lake pushes hard in the search for crucial wins as the playoffs approach.
Join the battle at America First Field this Saturday, July 12, and help fuel Real Salt Lake to victory against longtime rival Houston Dynamo. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM MT. Tickets are available for purchase here.
