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- Real Salt Lake lost 4-0 to the San Jose Earthquakes in the MLS opener.
- Head coach Pablo Mastroeni emphasized the need for better goal-scoring opportunities.
- RSL faces Herediano in the CONCACAF Champions Cup next, aiming to advance and play the LA Galaxy.
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Head coach Pablo Mastroeni made seven changes to the starting lineup for Saturday's MLS opener against the San Jose Earthquakes, but Real Salt Lake remains scoreless through two games in 2025, losing 4-0 on the road.
"Two games now where we don't find the back of the net," Mastroeni said to open his postgame address. "However, I think we're putting ourselves in really good positions to score goals. From a structure perspective, we just need more numbers in the box to pounce on any second (opportunities) and really threaten their back line."
MLS Young Player of the Year Diego Luna headlined the new group for RSL, making his first appearance in 2025 with his new protective mask for a healing broken nose.
Luna and newcomer Tyler Wolff were active in the attacking third early, but San Jose broke through first with the opening goal and eventual game-winner in the 28th minute from Jamar Ricketts, making his first MLS start.
Emeka Eneli — captain in the season opener — started the game on the bench and was brought on for the second half, but the RSL defense suffered a setback in the 57th minute when Alex Katranis was forced to come off for the second match in a row due to injury, though Mastroeni said he probably could have continued.
Postgame from Pablo Mastroeni. Said Katranis probably could've come back on but they didn't want to play down a man for any extended period of time. pic.twitter.com/b6ygRj4MSQ
— Caleb Turner (@calebturner23) February 23, 2025
The next substitution window for both teams came in the 68th minute, with RSL substituting off its only healthy striker, Forster Ajago, while Australian Ari Piol remains out with a hamstring injury. Two minutes later, the Earthquakes doubled their lead and scored a third four minutes later to all but seal the game with a 3-0 lead heading into the final 15 minutes.
Substitute Vitor Costa scored the fourth-and-final goal for San Jose a minute after coming on in the 82nd minute, giving the Earthquakes four different goalscorers on the opening night of MLS play.
"The game of football is about moments, and, at 2-0, you're still in the game, you know?" Mastroeni said of the late-game collapse. "Obviously, fatigue is a big factor and trying to rotate these guys in order to make sure that we're fresh for both (MLS and CONCACAF) competitions has proven to be very difficult."
RSL continues its back-and-forth between the two competitions with the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup first round against Herediano on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. MST at America First Field. Neither team scored in the first leg, giving RSL a chance to advance and take on the Los Angeles Galaxy with a win in front of the home fans.
The next MLS match is Saturday, March 1 at America First Field against the Seattle Sounders at 2:30 p.m. MST.
