This Wednesday’s matchup in Utah could end up shaking the Western Conference standings in a big way. LAFC roll in with Bouanga on fire and Son Heung-Min settling in fast, while Real Salt Lake find themselves under pressure, knowing they need points to stay alive in the Wild Card chase.
A win in Utah would lift LAFC into the top four and hand them the comfort of starting the playoffs at home. On the other side, Real Salt Lake are just trying to stay afloat in a season that’s swung back and forth too many times.
Real Salt Lake walking the edge
Pablo Mastroeni’s squad sit 10th right now, just a point back of ninth place, the last ticket to the postseason. The equation isn’t complicated: they have to start picking up results. The problem is obvious, though. Their attack has been the worst in the West, with only 30 goals. The defense, solid enough with 37 conceded, has kept them afloat. But leaning on the back line alone, this late in the MLS season, feels like playing with fire.
And then there’s Diego Luna. Everything runs through the 22-year-old playmaker, who leads the team with nine goals and five assists. He’s already caught the eye of the U.S. national team and is clearly the one player capable of shifting games for RSL. But when he’s left isolated, chances dry up fast. Beating Kansas City last weekend gave them a short-term boost, sure, but it didn’t really answer the bigger question: how far can this group go if Luna’s the only one carrying the weight.
LAFC look ready for more
The gap between these two clubs is clear. LAFC sit fifth, and with a win in Utah they could climb into the top four, which would mean home advantage in round one of the MLS Cup playoffs. That’s no small thing in knockout soccer.
Bouanga can’t stop scoring. His hat trick against San Jose put him level with Carlos Vela as LAFC’s all-time top scorer. Two more and he’ll reach something no MLS player has ever done: three straight 20-goal seasons. Alongside him, Son Heung-Min has added a new layer to the attack. In just five games, he’s already scored twice and set up another. But it’s more than numbers. Son speeds up play, finds space where there isn’t any, and gives defenders fits every time he’s on the ball.
And then there’s the road record. LAFC haven’t lost away in their last eight league matches. They’ve picked up points in 10 of 13 games outside Los Angeles this year. That kind of consistency away from home is what separates contenders from the rest of the pack.