LA Galaxy v Real Salt Lake: Mastroeni has no doubts in his team´s bounce-back mentality

Pablo Mastroeni has no doubts over Real Salt Lake’s ability to bounce back from their defeat to Inter Miami when they take on the LA Galaxy.

Salt Lake suffered just their second MLS defeat of the season on Wednesday, as they went down 2-0 to Lionel Messi’s Miami.

RSL conceded in the 82nd and 83rd minutes, marking the first time they have conceded goals in consecutive minutes in a regular-season MLS match since doing so against the New York Red Bulls in June 2019.

It snapped a six-game unbeaten streak for RSL, who must now rally for a trip to the Galaxy, their Western Conference rivals.

But Mastroeni’s main concern is his team’s sharpness, not whether they have the mental fortitude to overcome their loss to Miami.

He said: “Like I’ve said all year, nothing’s changed – the mindset and character of this group is elite.

“The most important thing is we recover. We were having some bye weeks and I think that didn’t build into the fitness we need to be sharp in multiple games.

“It’s really important we put a fresher group out there – a lot of that is going to be down to how the guys recover.

“It’s making sure the guys are healthy and fit to play the way we like. As far as the mentality to bounce back, there’s no doubt we’ll be ready for the game.

“It’s just taking the lessons we’ve learned from our previous games to find how we get a result in LA.”

The Galaxy lost to the Columbus Crew last time out, having previously drawn against FC Dallas and beaten Austin FC in back-to-back trips to Texas.

studying up on some stars#LAvRSL | @EnglandLogistic pic.twitter.com/KD6knLZqfp

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) April 25, 2026

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec

Pec’s goal in Wednesday’s loss to the Crew was his first of the season after scoring seven MLS goals in 2025.

His goal against Columbus was his first right-footed goal in an MLS match (regular season or playoffs) since having one in the 2024 Western Conference semi-final against Minnesota United.

Real Salt Lake – Sergi Solans

Solans is RSL’s leading scorer this term, with five MLS goals to his name.

He has averaged a goal every 99 minutes in the league in 2026.

MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN

The Galaxy have lost only one of their last 15 home matches against RSL in all competitions dating back to November 2014 (W10 D4), including going unbeaten in nine straight (W5 D4).

Three of the last four meetings between the sides in Carson have ended in draws.

The Galaxy scored on their only shot on target in their loss to the Crew. It was their fewest shots on target in a regular-season match since May 2025 against San Diego FC and ended a streak of 16 straight league matches with at least four shots on target.

RSL have not gone consecutive matches without scoring since doing so against Portland and Colorado last May.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LA Galaxy – 42.5%

Draw – 26.7%

RSL – 30.8%