WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: REAL SALT LAKE
Welcome back to What You Need To Know, a match preview for Austin FC fans to check in on their next opponent.
Photo courtesy of Dante Valencia
Opponent: Real Salt Lake
Kick Off time: 8:39 PM US Central Time
Location: America First Field
History vs. Austin FC:
Austin FC is 4-2-5 against RSL all-time and 1-0-3 in Salt Lake City. The only win was in 2023 when Owen Wolff and Jon Gallagher scored bangers in a 2-1 victory.
Recent Matches:
RSL have won their past two games and are 2-0-1 on the season.
Apple TV Intelligentsia Predictions:
Players to Watch:
Diego LunaThe USMNT midfielder has been upgraded to “Questionable” for this match and according to David Gass is likely to play after being out with a knee injury. He’s a “do everything” midfielder who is a progressive passer and scorer that is also not afraid to keep playing regardless of any bleeding.
Aiden HezarkhaniThe 18 year old has two goals so far this season and has already nearly quadrupled his minutes than 2025 where he played a grand total of…58 minutes. He’s part of a general RSL youth movement, especially in attack, and keeping him off the scoresheet will be key for Austin.
Justen GladThe long-time MLS Centerback has been the centerpiece of the RSL defense since he came there in 2019. Usually very strong in the air on set pieces but hasn’t scored since 2023 and at 29 is the oldest player consistently part of their Starting XI. Expect to see him marking Myrto Uzuni the entire match.
Keys to the Match:
Walking Wounded
Despite this being Matchday 4 both teams are struggling with injuries, especially when it comes to attacking midfielders. Austin especially is missing two of their three best ball progressers in midfield and called up Jorge Alastuey on a short term deal for this match.
Real Salt Lake has eschewed possession on this season, the most they’ve had was 41% in their opening match loss whereas Austin (in matches they finished with a full team on the field) have had at least 55%. Without Dani Pereira or Owen Wolff in midfield will they continue to try and possess the ball or will this be a match where both teams would prefer to defend?
Backing the left backAfter his Red card on Saturday Guilherme Biro will be suspended for disciplinary reasons for the second time in four matches and will only play 114 of 360 possible minutes. This is a growing issue because as we all know, the most important ability is availability. Along with Zan Kolmanic’s defensive errors in the opening match it’s clear that Joseph Rosales, who Nico Estevez incorrectly claims never played left back at Minnesota, is the obvious choice to start in that position. He was played there out of necessity against Charlotte and looked good, shutting down the opposing wingers and also carrying the ball forward.
Apple TVLast weekend Austin FC’s only goal was thanks to possibly the most hilarious goal ever scored in one of our matches. I was fortunate to be able to see it happen live, because as is all too common, Apple TV’s soccer presentation spends a lot of time not showing the live action of the game. This season Apple has scaled back coverage dramatically with fewer previews and a recap show that is just highlights without commentary. Apple can and should do more for this league to help promote it and we as fans need to continue to push and prod them to do that.
Prediction:Austin FC: 0
Real Salt Lake: 2
