Real Salt Lake earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw in a rainy Saturday evening matchup at Energizer Park in St. Louis , snapping its two-game road losing streak as well as the home side's five-game win streak. an important point-earning win ahead of an extended upcoming home stretch, one that sees the Claret-and-Cobalt play five home matches in 15 days beginning on Tuesday.
Entering the third consecutive road match following the World Cup hiatus, RSL Head coach Pablo Mastroeni made multiple changes to his starting lineup, including the addition of midfielder Lineker Rodrigues, who made his first-ever start with RSL on Saturday evening. After a first half mostly played in RSL's defensive end, both teams entered the locker room in a 0-0 stalemate.
The Claret-and-Cobalt started the second half by creating far more attacking opportunities, finding the first strike after recently-acquired Georgian midfielder Saba Lonjanidze secured his second assist in three matches with RSL, sending an impressive no-look pass into the box for forward Sergi Solans , who took a touch around his defender before sending a perfectly-placed ball into the net. The 60th-minute goal marked MLS rookie Solans' seventh of the season, giving the Spaniard sole ownership of RSL's 2026 Golden Boot race.
"It's a good opportunity to reflect on these last three games," Mastroeni said. "Obviously, in LAFC we had 80% possession and 30 shots and we lost. Then tonight, we have 35% possession and we get a point, so the game isn't always about playing the way you want. There's an opponent that's riding a lot of momentum when we're away from home, so, the positive from this game is a result for the group that was willing to suffer when we weren't at our best with the ball."
Real Salt Lake entered the evening without 19-year-old MLS All-Star standout Zavier Gozo for the first time this season due to a hip strain suffered Wednesday night in Charlotte during his 27-minute appearance against the Liga MX selection. Throughout the first half of play, the Claret-and-Cobalt found itself in a defensive battle, the back line working alongside RSL goalkeeper and Captain Rafael Cabral, who showcased his presence between the posts to keep the home side scoreless through the first 45 minutes of play.
After RSL entered the second half with energy to earn the goal by Solans in the 60th minute, St. Louis was able to find the equalizer, bringing the score to 1-1 just 12 minutes later. After trading offensive opportunities, RSL now returns to the Wasatch Front with a much-needed point before entering a busy 15-day home stretch at America First Field. The first three games in Leagues Cup against Liga MX opponents and then resuming MLS regular-season play.
Following the long home hiatus dating back to May 16, Real Salt Lake returns to its fortress at America First Field in Sandy, where RSL has won eight of nine games this season, to host a trio of Liga MX opponents in Leagues Cup. The home opener of the tournament, and first of five home matches in 15 days at America First Field, is North American power Tigres UANL. The match kicks off on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 8 p.m. MDT, with tickets available at RSL.com.
RSL Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni coaches his squad from the sideline. | Meagan Johnson, RSL
Spanish forward Sergi Solans (22) celebrates after his 60th minute goal to put RSL up 1-0. | Meagan Johnson, RSL
Midfielder Noel Caliskan (92) battles with a defender in the Saturday night match against St. Louis City SC. | Meagan Johnson, RSL
RSL midfielder Lineker Rodrigues (70) receives the ball in his first career RSL start. | Meagan Johnson, RSL
