Storylines | RSL v. Seattle: Road Battle With Plenty at Stake

By: Isabella Rubis 

Attention now turns to Lumen Field as Real Salt Lake hits the road for yet another midweek match, this time at Seattle against the Sounders. With Mastroeni’s men looking to snap a 12-game winless streak, the Claret-and-Cobalt must leave it all on the pitch as it heads into battle with hopes of earning its first MLS victory since May 16. 

In this edition of Storylines, we’ll take a closer look at RSL’s recent run of form, the key players who will be called upon to step up on Wednesday, those who will miss the match due to international duty, and the midweek opponent, Seattle Sounders FC.

Who Can Step Up and End the Streak?

The Claret-and-Cobalt head into another road midweek matchup with something to prove. After falling to Vancouver 3-0 at home on Saturday, RSL suffered back-to-back home shutouts for the first time since April 2025. In order to avoid setting a new all-time single-season winless run of 13 straight matches, the visitors now look to its leaders and the key roster pieces that helped boost RSL near the top of the standings earlier in the season. 

Although Real Salt Lake has found itself in an unfavorable run of form with a record number of players out due to injury, suspension or visa issues, the squad still believes it has an arsenal of young weapons rostered and a few key players who can make a world of difference. 

With RSL star MF Diego Luna out for the remainder of the 2026 season after having his meniscus repaired on Friday, and 2026 FIFA World Cup standouts JuanMa Sanabria (Uruguay) and recently-acquired DF Luc de Fougerolles (Canada) away on international duty, Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni looks at his roster of young talent to step up and snap the Club’s winless streak.

Despite a lack of scoring firepower over recent fixtures, RSL has proven it has the attacking quality capable of finding the back of the net. Spanish FW Sergi Solans has showcased on countless occasions throughout his rookie MLS campaign. With nine goals and three assists in MLS thus far, the 23-year-old sits atop RSL’s 2026 Golden Boot leaderboard. If the Spaniard can combine his speed, creativity and ability to threaten both with the ball at his feet and his quality in the air on Wednesday, he could end his personal scoring drought and help secure a much-needed RSL win.  

Running alongside Solans is a trio of creative players who are proven difference-makers on the pitch. RSL Academy product Aiden Hezarkhani, Franco-Guinean designated player Morgan Guilavogui and Georgian international MF Saba Lobjanidze have each netted two goals in MLS play for RSL this season. At just 19 years old, Hezarkhani has established himself as a key contributor, bringing grit and energy to the pitch. RSL’s French-born DP Guilavogui has continuously showcased his high soccer IQ, finding his teammates time and again to earn an impressive seven assists in 2026. With Lobjanidze rounding out the trio with an additional three assists since joining the Club in July, the three players have proven their ability to impact matches with creativity, energy and playmaking abilities, all of which are key to RSL’s chances for victory and snapping its 12-game winless streak on Wednesday.

Rematch Awaits in Seattle

While a midweek win for the Claret-and-Cobalt would snap the Club’s winless streak, a result would also come as a boost for the Utah side which holds a less than favorable road record of 1-8-3 (W-L-T) this season. As RSL looks to earn its second victory away from home in 2026 and its first since March 7 at Atlanta, it is important to look at its head-to-head history with Western Conference opponent Seattle Sounders FC, as well as the key roster pieces for the home side. 

Since the first meeting between the two sides in 2009, RSL holds a slight edge over Seattle, with an overall record of 20-17-9 (W-L-T), earning three more all-time wins over its opponent across all competitions. The home side has won five of the last six meetings between the teams, with RSL earning a 1-1 draw in Seattle back in 2024.

Earlier this season, the Sounders traveled to the Riot for RSL’s home opener on February 28, suffering a 2-1 loss. RSL opened up the scoring with 19-year-old Hezarkhani, who netted his first-ever MLS score in the 23rd minute. Then, Australian FW Ari Piol ultimately scored the game-winner for his lone goal of 2026, unfortunately ending his season in the 82nd minute after suffering a torn achilles. 

Much like RSL, the Sounders have found itself on an unfavorable run of form in recent months. After defeating the San Jose Earthquakes 3-2 on May 13, Seattle has gone winless in 13 straight matches, earning a record of 0-8-5 (W-L-T) over the five-month span. And although the Claret-and-Cobalt were able to secure a result in the early-season meeting between the two, the rescheduled road matchup will not be an automatic victory. With both sides in dire need of a result, Seattle will look to its weapons to make the game difficult from the opening whistle. 

One of Seattle's key attacking stars will be absent Wednesday due to the ongoing double FIFA International window. Dynamic MLS veteran Dejan Joveljić, who has earned a spot on the Serbian National Team roster, will miss the midweek matchup. Although the forward recently joined Seattle in August, he has immediately made an impact in the attack, netting three goals in just four matches with his new club. 

With International duty calling, 27-year-old Paul Rothrock and veteran MF Cristian Roldan remain. Rothrock is the home side's leading scorer in its campaign thus far, having netted five goals and one assist to sit atop the Sounders’ 2026 Golden Boot leaderboard. Roldan sits just behind his teammate with four goals and three assists. Although Seattle will be missing a key piece of its offense in Joveljić, keeping the goal-scoring duo of Rothrock and Roldan quiet will be a crucial task for the defense in order to earn a result. 

The midweek matchup at Lumen Field is set to kickoff at 7:30 p.m. MT and will be streaming on Apple TV. The Claret-and-Cobalt will then return to America First Field for its second home match of this crowded week this Saturday, September 26, welcoming the New England Revolution to the Wasatch Front. Kickoff for that match is slated for 7:30 p.m. MT with tickets available for purchase here.