SANDY, Utah (ABC4) — Fresh off a statement win over the defending MLS champion LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake hits the road this Saturday to take on Nashville SC at GEODIS Park.
With both teams sitting 9th in their respective conferences (RSL is tied for 9th with LAFC), this inter-conference clash offers a chance to turn up the heat—on the field and in the standings.
This will be just the fourth all-time meeting between the clubs, and so far it’s been a balanced battle. The two played to a scoreless draw in their first-ever matchup in 2021 and then played a home and away series in 2022 in which each home team won.
It’s been nearly two years since RSL last visited Music City, and they’ll be hoping to avoid a repeat of that inaugural GEODIS Park celebration where Nashville claimed a 2-0 victory. But RSL is currently riding high after their 2-0 shutout of the LA Galaxy.
Diego Luna was the star of the show, scoring both goals in front of USMNT Assistant Coach Miguel “Miki” D’Agostino, who was watching from the stands. The 21-year-old midfielder now has three goals and two assists in six appearances, and with the national team tuning in, he’s turning up the volume on what could be a statement season.
Supporting him in the attack is Diogo Goncalves (one goal, two assists), while goalkeeper Rafa Cabral has provided steady hands, playing every minute of the season and earning two shutouts—including last weekend’s clean sheet against the reigning champs.
A second road win of the year could be just the spark Real Salt Lake needs to stay in rhythm.
On the opposite side of the coin, Nashville SC (3-3-1, 10 points) enters the match on a sour note, coming off back-to-back 2-1 losses. The first was at home to FC Cincinnati, then on the road last weekend against Charlotte FC.
The Charlotte loss was made worse when team captain Walker Zimmerman—a veteran center back and USMNT World Cup veteran—was forced off in the 78th minute with a scary head injury while Nashville led 1-0. With Zimmerman sent to the hospital and Charlotte roaring back to win, Nashville will be hoping for a more even performance this Saturday.
Zimmerman, a teammate of Diego Luna and Emeka Eneli on the national team, was released from the hospital that same night, but his availability for the weekend remains in question.
Despite recent setbacks, Nashville still boasts plenty of firepower: attacking midfielder Hany Mukhtar won the Golden Boot in MLS in 2022, scoring 23 goals to go with 11 Assists, and also won the league MVP that year. So far in 2025, he has two goals and two assists.
Fellow midfielder Ahmed Qasem and Defender Josh Bauer also have two goals apiece on the season.
Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at GEODIS Park in Nashville, TN, and the match will be broadcast on Apple TV+/MLS Season Pass.
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