Storylines | The Highly Anticipated Return to MLS Play: RSL Prepares for Road Battle at LAFC

By: Isabella Rubis 

After two months of patiently awaiting the return of Real Salt Lake and MLS play, the time has finally come. The Claret-and-Cobalt now hit the road to take on South Korean star striker Son Heung-Min and LAFC under the bright lights of BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California this Wednesday, July 22.

In this edition of storylines we’ll dive into what the Claret-and-Cobalt experienced during the break, key players to watch as the second half of the season begins and RSL’s challenging history with LAFC.

World Cup Momentum and RSL’s Thriving Attack  

With billions of eyes focused on our sport for the past month, first-year Real Salt Lake MF Juan Manuel Sanabria (nicknamed “JuanMa”) shined on the world's biggest stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as he represented his home country of Uruguay. After making his World Cup debut as a halftime substitute against Saudi Arabia in the first match of group play, JuanMa earned a starting spot for La Celeste in the remaining two matches, excelling every single minute. While unable to qualify into the next round, JuanMa - a surefire MLS Newcomer of the Year candidate - emerged as one of Uruguay's bright spots of the tournament.

The 26-year-old midfielder wowed with his defensive abilities and showcased the ease in which he moves up the left-side of the pitch to help create offensive opportunities. In his last match of the World Cup, JuanMa was given the difficult task of defending 19-year-old Spanish superstar, Lamine Yamal. Sanabria played his game with poise, locking up Yamal in multiple key offensive opportunities to keep him scoreless. Leading RSL in assists with six this season, JuanMa will be an integral part to RSL’s roster on both sides of the ball as the Claret-and-Cobalt look to continue its strong form. 

Along with the Uruguayan midfielder, RSL's offense will look to retain its offensive fire with three players at the helm who have emerged as integral parts to the squad's attacking success thus far in 2026. RSL star MF Diego Luna entered the break in impressive form, netting four goals and three assists with the squad, the midfielder not only bringing scoring opportunities but creativity and pace throughout the midfield, making him ever-important in RSL’s quest for victory. 

Homegrown MF Zavier Gozo has burst into 2026 with the form of a veteran. At just 19-years old, Utah native Gozo leads the squad in goal contributions with six goals and five assists this season. The West Valley-born and Eagle Mountain-raised attacker has continued to showcase high-level abilities on the ball, dribbling through opponents with precision to create scoring opportunities. Lastly, RSL rookie FW Sergi Solans’ debut season in MLS has been nothing short of magical thus far. The Spanish forward has firmly secured himself as one of the Claret-and-Cobalt’s most integral attacking pieces, contributing to nine goals in 2026 with six goals and three assists. Solans brings speed and unwavering pressure to opposing defenses and has proven to be an aerial threat, netting multiple headed goals with precision and strength.

The trio is coming off of an impressive performance in RSL’s home friendly last week against English side Burnley FC, where the squad earned a commanding 4-1 victory and all three attacking pieces were involved in at least one goal. Solans emerged with one of his strongest performances since landing on the Wasatch Front, securing a brace and assisting Gozo in his 62nd minute goal. Luna capped off the goal-scoring evening by burying a penalty with ease in the 83rd minute. 

With the Claret-and-Cobalt’s key attacking pieces and the brick wall of Captain and Brazilian Goalkeeper Rafael Cabral between the posts, the squad is poised and immensely qualified to go toe-to-toe with traditional West power LAFC and earn an important victory on the road.

Resetting Recent History Against LAFC 

As the Claret-and-Cobalt lace up the boots to take on the star-studded roster of LAFC, it is important to look back at the two squads' matchup history. While RSL has found its stride so far this season, the West Coast side boasts an overall record of 15-4-1(W-L-T) against Real Salt Lake across MLS, Leagues Cup and Playoffs since the clubs’ first-ever meeting on March 10, 2018 - RSL’s worst-ever loss in Sandy (5-1 final).

During the 2025 campaign, RSL played back-to-back matches against LAFC on September 17 and 21, losing both meetings 4-1, with both Son and lethal attacker Denis Bouanga notching hat tricks. While fans may prefer to forget about the most recent history, it is important to remember that each season presents a new opportunity to secure different results. 

If the Utah side are to emerge victorious, locking down two of LAFC’s most prolific goal scoring machines will be imperative. South Korean striker Son Heung-Min transferred to MLS last August and immediately showcased his high-quality striking abilities, ending his short debut season with nine goals and three assists. While the South Korean superstar only just netted his first goal of the 2026 campaign on Friday, July 17, he has continued to be heavily involved in goal contributions, with nine assists in 2026. 

Along with Son, extreme danger presents itself in attacking counterpart Denis Bouanga. The French-born Gabon international forward recorded an overwhelming 24 goals and nine assists in 2025, picking up right where he left off this season, with seven goals and five assists to his name thus far in 2026. LAFC’s vaunted Designated Player has continued to provide for his squad, drawing out defenders and using his speed and abilities on and off the ball to create scoring opportunities in virtually every match he enters. 

The LAFC squad led by Son and Bouanga will be an immense test for Cabral and the RSL back line, the group needing to work seamlessly as a brick wall to thwart the home side’s ability to break through at any moment. 

The midweek, star-studded matchup is scheduled to kickoff at 8:30 PM MT at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California and will be available on both Apple TV and Fox Sports 1. Real Salt Lake then remains on the road to play its second road match of the week on Saturday, July 25 against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. That kickoff is also scheduled for 8:30 PM MT, streaming exclusively on Apple TV.