Storylines | Stern San Diego Test Looms as RSL Eyes Four in a Row

By: Isabella Rubis 

The stage is set for a clash full of intrigue and momentum as Real Salt Lake heads west to face vaunted San Diego FC this weekend. The Claret-and-Cobalt are riding a wave of confidence, chasing a fourth consecutive win, a milestone it hasn't reached since June 2013. 

History often proves how important getting on the scoreboard early can be, as during the 187-game Pablo Mastroeni era, RSL has compiled a remarkable 49–18–10 (W-L-T) record when striking first, demonstrating how setting the tone can often dictate the outcome. Now, as RSL takes its fight to San Diego, the team will look to translate the early precision, pressure, and poise on the road, turning momentum into a statement win and three valuable points.

Rising Talent and Key Additions Fuel RSL’s Strong Start 

RSL’s strong and in ways surprising form to start the season can be attributed to a number of factors, including impactful new signings, growing chemistry within the squad, and young players stepping up in key moments. Those elements have coalesced quickly, allowing the group to build momentum early and establish a clear identity on the pitch. 

New roster additions have continued to show up and show out early in 2026, with one of the bigger bright spots from Saturday’s home win over Austin being Dutch midfielder Stijn Spierings, who found the back of the net for the MLS Goal of the Week just seven minutes into in his debut match with RSL to immediately make his presence felt. In doing so, he became just the sixth player in Club history (2005–2026) to score in his first appearance for Real Salt Lake, with the late score helping edge RSL to a rare comeback victory. Other new additions, like Designated Player Morgan Guilavogui and rookie Sergi Solans, have also shown promising chemistry, combining with a European-influenced style that has added fluidity and creativity to RSL’s attack.

Meanwhile, Uruguayan international Juan Manuel Sanabria has seamlessly integrated into the squad, playing with the comfort and confidence of someone who has been in Utah far longer. Operating primarily along the left side, he has become a key playmaker, linking passes, driving the ball into the attacking third, and creating scoring opportunities while also tracking back defensively to provide crucial support. 

Winning Together Through Development 

Real Salt Lake’s steadfast, decades-long commitment to developing young talent is paying off, as RSL’s first-team roster features multiple players to have matriculated through the Club’s youth and Monarchs squads. The collective and intentional growth through development mindset instilled throughout the organization has allowed these players to step into high-pressure moments and deliver when called upon, showing that the pathway from Academy to MLS is more than just theoretical, it's producing results. 

In recent matches, players like teenagers Zavier Gozo, Luca Moisa and Aiden Hezarkhani, along with former Monarchs leaders Noel Caliskan and Griffin Dillon have continued to demonstrate their readiness for top-flight competition. Caliskan, in particular, made a decisive impact on Saturday by creating the play that led to RSL’s early equalizer, which ultimately ended up as an own goal for Austin FC. Their performances underline the depth of talent the club is cultivating and the effectiveness of a system that rewards development and opportunity.

Adding to the excitement, RSL’s “Moon Man” Diego Luna returned from injury, with the 20,751 in Sandy erupting into full voice as he stepped onto the pitch for the first time this season. After missing the first three games due to a knee injury, Luna will be eager to integrate with RSL’s updated roster as he looks to become a leading goal contributor as the season continues on. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon and a potential spot on the U.S. Men’s National Team roster at stake, Luna’s return is highly instrumental and critically important to helping RSL continue its strong start. 

Together, the blend of young talent and returning veterans highlights how RSL’s developmental philosophy is translating into on-field success, while proving that patience, investment and trust in emerging players with high potential can create a competitive and dynamic roster.

A Budding Western Conference Rivalry: RSL v. SD

Real Salt Lake has quickly begun to build a noteworthy history with San Diego FC, first facing the 2025 expansion side last March at America First Field. That initial meeting offered an early look at a budding Western Conference matchup, with RSL falling 3-1 on its home turf to the expansion side before shifting west, and taking 3 points away by returning the favor with a 3-1 win of its own, led by a Luna brace. 

As the Claret-and-Cobalt prepare to return to San Diego this weekend and take on the League’s newest club on its home turf, RSL will be adding another chapter to what is already shaping up to be an intriguing, evolving rivalry. The visitors aim to come away with another win, one that would mark its fourth straight victory, a feat the club hasn’t accomplished since June, 2013.

San Diego burst onto the scene in 2025, coming out strong and quickly proving it belonged amongst the top clubs in MLS. The expansion side impressed throughout the season, winning 19 matches and finishing atop the Western Conference regular-season standings, ahead of MLS Cup runner-up Vancouver Whitecaps FC to earn a first-round bye in the playoffs. Real Salt Lake could have met San Diego in the Western Conference Semifinals had it advanced past the Portland Timbers in the Wild Card round, setting up what would have been a highly-anticipated postseason clash. Instead, San Diego’s playoff run continued until the West Final, where it ultimately fell 3-1 to Vancouver. 

A leading factor for the success of San Diego’s debut campaign a year ago was a clear identity under manager Mikey Varas and the presence of key players in the attack. The front line had proved especially effective, as the team’s three primary attackers combined to produce over 30 of the club’s goals throughout the course of the regular season and playoffs.

San Diego featured a star-studded roster in its inaugural campaign, headlined by marquee Designated Player and Mexican international Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, who brought valuable experience from his time in Europe, finishing the 2025 season with nine goals and 10 assists after arriving in MLS. Finnish forward Onni Valakari also played a significant role in the attack, recording five goals and 12 assists across 39 appearances in both the regular season and playoffs. Leading the way, however, was fellow Designated Player and Danish winger Anders Dreyer, whose consistent production of 19 goals and 19 assists made him the club’s most reliable offensive threat throughout the season. 

Along with the scoring abilities of its top players, San Diego has a veteran in goal with Pablo Sisniega, alongside other top players, including Luca de la Torre and Manu Duah, a young defender who made his name known in 2025 and was added to the MLS 22 under 22 rankings. 

The Claret-and-Cobalt will need a complete, connected performance from the back line through the midfield and into the attack to contain San Diego’s multiple scoring threats. Claiming another win will hinge on applying consistent pressure to the home side’s defense and effectively working the ball through the middle to generate quality chances.

RSL goalkeeper Rafael Cabral has continued to be a steady presence in net, carrying his strong form from 2025 into the early rounds of the 2026 season. He came up big yet again last weekend, making two crucial saves in the 2-1 win over Austin FC to keep the match level, setting the stage for the 88th-minute game-winner from Spierings. 

If Real Salt Lake is able to secure the victory Sunday during Apple TV’s showcase time slot, it would be a significant statement to MLS, further reinforcing its place among the contenders in the race for the top of the Western Conference. A fourth consecutive win would not only mark the Club’s first such streak in 13 years, but also highlight the impact of its new tactical approach and offseason additions. Just as importantly, it would add valuable points that could prove crucial in the push for playoff positioning later in the season. 

The highly-anticipated clash between two Western Conference contenders is set to kick off at 5:00 p.m. MT on Sunday, March 22, at Snapdragon Stadium, with Taylor Twellman, Jake Zivin and Jillian Sakovits on the call. Fans can catch all the action live, with the match closing out a full weekend of MLS regular-season action, streaming exclusively on Apple TV.