To The Summit: RSL's Path To The 2023 MLS Playoffs Part 3

It’s official, Salt Lake County will enjoy postseason professional soccer for the third consecutive year and for the fifth season out of the last six. Real Salt Lake reached the summit late Wednesday night following Minnesota United's loss to LAFC. A season full of twists and turns, continues with a spot in the 2023 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. 

As those in the Utah climbing community know, goals change as quickly as they’re accomplished and heights that once seemed dizzying start to come into focus. For Real Salt Lake, reaching the postseason is great, but lifting the Cup is always the biggest goal. 

A new summit comes into view the very second another is reached. Anyone who’s spent time scaling the Rocky Mountains or cheering for a Major League Soccer Club is painfully familiar with the feeling.

RSL’s win against LAFC last weekend (a shocking win? Improbable victory? Unexpected result?) combined with Wednesday’s results now puts the Claret-and-Cobalt in position to potentially clinch a spot in the Western Conference Top 4 this weekend following a win against rivals Sporting Kansas City at home and a few other specific results going in the Club’s favor. We’ll give you the long version and the TLDR as well. 

Per Major League Soccer:

Real Salt Lake will clinch a top-four seed in the Western Conference if:

1. Salt Lake win vs. Kansas City AND Houston lose/draw vs. Colorado AND Dallas lose/draw vs. San Jose AND Vancouver lose at Seattle or…

2. Salt Lake win vs. Kansas City AND Houston lose/draw vs. Colorado AND Dallas lose/draw vs. San Jose AND LAFC lose at Austin or…

3. Salt Lake win vs. Kansas City AND Houston lose/draw vs. Colorado AND Dallas lose/draw vs. San Jose AND Vancouver draw at Seattle AND LAFC draw at Austin

TLDR: Real Salt Lake needs to win on Saturday, and we’ll worry about the rest later 

(THE REST: Houston & Dallas fail to win PLUS either A) Vancouver or LAFC lose OR B) Vancouver AND LAFC draw) . 

Saturday’s match against Sporting demonstrates there’s still a lot to play for, especially when it comes to playoff seeding. While the summit is reached, RSL can still secure a much better starting position for the next climb.

Saturday will also give fans one last opportunity to turn America First Field into a fortress this MLS regular season. 

Fans are encouraged to wear red to the game for a “Red Out” and the Club can’t wait to thank you for all your support this season during Fan Appreciation Night. 

Tickets are still available, and you won’t want to miss this rivalry match against Sporting KC. Tickets are available here. 

Current MLS Western Conference Standings as of October 7, 2023

Club Points GP

1. St. Louis 56 33

2. Seattle 49 32

3. LAFC 48 32

4. RSL 46 31

5. Vancouver 46 32

6. Houston 45 32

7. Portland 43 32

8. San Jose 42 32

9. FC Dallas 41 31

Playoff Line -

10. Austin 38 32

11. Sporting KC 38 32

12. Minnesota 38 32

13. LA Galaxy 35 31

14. Colorado 26 31 (Eliminated)