Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.
Pablo Mastroeni revealed he has looked at the idea of changing how Real Salt Lake approach games from a tactical perspective after a poor run of form in the MLS.
RSL have not won in the league since a 2-1 triumph against the Colorado Rapids on May 16, going eight games without coming home with three points (D3 L5).
They were beaten at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park by the Rapids last time out, with Reggie Cannon’s 58th-minute goal handing RSL to their ninth defeat of the season.
Mastroeni’s side return to America First Field this weekend to take on Los Angeles FC, and the RSL boss explained there could be a different look to his team.
“It’s been a slog and when you don’t have time to work on things, it harms us,” Mastroeni said. “We have talked about moving into a back four to be more solid defensively.
“We’ve talked about going into a back four, but the only issue has been that we have not been able to work on it in training.
“You can talk about formations all you want, but you’ve got to feel what it feels like on the grass against opponents to be able to do something like that.
“It’s definitely something we’re looking at. We’ve got to put everything on the table.”
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 30, 2026
RSL are 10th in the Western Conference and take on an LAFC side that are flying high in the division, with Marc Dos Santos’ men currently sitting third in the standings.
However, LAFC are without a league win in their last five matches (D3 L2), playing out a 0-0 draw with D.C. United last time despite having the better chances in the contest.
LAFC finished with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.80 from their 19 shots, though only one of those were on target, compared to D.C.’s tally of 1.23 from their 14 attempts.
The Black and Gold have attempted to add quality to their attack with the signing of Thayllon Roberth on loan from Brazilian Serie B side Avai FC.
Roberth’s loan runs until June 2027 with a purchase option included, and he arrives having scored 12 goals and provided 11 assists in 71 appearances across all competitions.
“Thayllon is a dynamic young player who will add creativity, quality, and excitement to our attack,” said LAFC president of soccer operations John Thorrington.
“His performances in Brazil have demonstrated both his ability to impact games now and the considerable potential he has to develop.
“We are excited that he has chosen LAFC despite significant competition for his signature, and we look forward to helping him continue his development as he contributes to our pursuit of trophies.”
Solans has scored in three straight MLS matches played at America First Field.
The club record for consecutive MLS home games with a goal is four, set by Jeff Cunningham in 2006 and matched by Fabian Espindola, Alvaro Saborio (twice) and Joao Plata.
Bouanga has tallied six goals in eight regular-season matches against RSL with five of those goals coming in the last three meetings.
In his MLS career, Bouanga has scored in four or more consecutive regular-season games against the Los Angeles Galaxy (seven straight), San Jose and St. Louis City SC.
Working towards the weekend pic.twitter.com/h8kGKmACZj
LAFC have won 14 of the 18 regular-season meetings all-time against RSL (D1 L3), including winning each of the last three games by multiple goals. They have outscored RSL 41-18 in the regular season, winning 10 of those matches by more than two goals.
This weekend’s visitors were, however, held scoreless for the third time in their last four games with their draw last time out. LAFC has scored one goal over their last four matches, their fewest ever over a four-game span in the regular season.
RSL, meanwhile, have not won an MLS match since their last game before the World Cup break as the club is on an eight-match winless run in league play (D3 L5). It’s their longest single-season winless run since failing to win any of their first 11 matches in the 2007 season.
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