Real Salt Lake vs Minnesota United: Preview, lineups and key stats for August 24, 2025
Real Salt Lake will host Minnesota United at the TQL Stadium in the early hours of Sunday, 24 August 2025. The clash carries the intrigue of RSL’s home record against Minnesota in regular-season league play and Minnesota’s road form, which has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks.
Real Salt Lake – form, stats and outlook
Real Salt Lake suffered a 1-0 defeat to Charlotte in their most recent outing, extending a small losing spell to two consecutive league games after a 2-1 loss to New York Red Bulls. The Claret and Cobalt have shown some resilience lately, going unbeaten in three of their last six matches across all competitions. At home, they have been relatively strong, winning five of their last seven in all competitions. They sit 10th in the Western Conference with 31 points from 26 games, having scored 27 and conceded 33.
Real Salt Lake – team news and injuries
RSL will be without at least four players due to injuries: Jose Bonilla, Javain Brown, Zac MacMath, and Matthew Bell are ruled out. Despite the injury hurdles, head coach Pablo Mastroeni is expected to maintain a 4-4-2 shape, with Rwan Cruz and Victor Olatunji leading the attack.
Possible Real Salt Lake starting lineup (4-4-2)
Goalkeeper: Rafael Cabral
Defenders: Noel Caliskan, Justen Glad, Brayan Vera, Sam Junqua
Midfielders: Dominik Marczuk, Emeka Eneli, Pablo Ruiz, Diogo Gonçalves
Attackers: Rwan Cruz, Victor Olatunji
Minnesota United – form, stats and outlook
Minnesota United ended a troubling run by beating Seattle Sounders 1-0, with Joaquin Pereyra scoring in the 73rd minute. Before that win, they had suffered three straight defeats in all competitions. Their recent form on the road has been more encouraging, remaining unbeaten in regular time in seven consecutive away matches across all competitions (three wins, four draws). They sit second in the Western Conference with 47 points from 27 games, having scored 44 and conceded 30.
Minnesota United – team news and injuries
The Loons will be without at least two players: Hassani Dotson and Ho-yeon Jung are sidelined. Eric Ramsay continues with a 5-4-1 formation, with Dayne St. Clair in goal and Kelvin Yeboah expected to lead the attack.
Possible Minnesota United starting lineup (5-4-1)
Goalkeeper: Dayne St. Clair
Defenders: Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Carlos Harvey, Michael Boxall, Nicolás Romero, Joseph Rosales
Midfielders: Tani Oluwaseyi, Robin Lod, Wil Trapp, Joaquin Pereyra
Attacker: Kelvin Yeboah
Key factors and tactical note
– Real Salt Lake’s 4-4-2 setup will rely on the aim of Rwan Cruz and Victor Olatunji to break through a Minnesota defense that has been solid recently away from home.
– Minnesota’s 5-4-1 is likely to prioritize compact defending and quick transitions, with Pereyra and Yeboah as the spearheads in attack.
– RSL will look to capitalize on home-field familiarity, aiming to extend their unbeaten record against Minnesota at home in league play, a notable edge in this fixture.
Head-to-head and standings context
– Real Salt Lake have not lost a regular-season home game against Minnesota United in league play, giving them a psychological edge in this matchup.
– Minnesota United sit higher in the West and enter this game with momentum from their last outing, but will face a difficult test away from home.
Prediction and odds note
– The article provides a framework for analysis and tactical expectations but does not include explicit betting odds. Given current form, expect a tight, defensive-minded clash with Real Salt Lake aiming to exploit home-field advantages and Minnesota looking to continue their improved away form. A balanced outcome or a narrow one-goal margin could be likely, depending on which side handles the pressure and injuries better.
Summary and additional value
– This match pits a home side with a decent recent home record against a Minnesota outfit that has shown resilience on the road and improved results after a rough spell.
– For fans, the key storylines are the injury list for Real Salt Lake, the tactical balance of RSL’s 4-4-2 against Minnesota’s 5-4-1, and whether RSL can sustain their unbeaten streak at home against Minnesota in league play.
– Possible lineup changes due to injuries could tilt the match; keep an eye on late fitness updates on Bonilla, Brown, MacMath, Bell for Real Salt Lake and Dotson, Jung for Minnesota.
Overall, the fixture promises a competitive Western Conference encounter with high stakes in the balance between form, injuries, and tactical setup.