Real Salt Lake host NYCFC at America First Field on Saturday, September 12 (9:30 PM ET / 8:30 PM CT / 6:30 PM PT).
No absences are listed for Real Salt Lake heading into this one, so Sergi Solans Ormo — nine goals from 46 shots this season — should again lead their attack, with Diego Luna’s 43 chances created underlining his creative importance. NYCFC also have no fresh absences on record, and Nicolás Fernández Mercau, who has scored 14 goals and created 42 chances, remains the player most likely to trouble the hosts.
Real Salt Lake’s recent results have swung from a share of the points to back-to-back defeats, while NYCFC have found more draws than wins in their own recent matches. Expect the same tight, fine-margins mood here — a cagey contest that still finds goals at both ends without turning into an end-to-end shootout.
Real Salt Lake vs NYCFC: Best Bets & Predictions
Playoff stakes rise as Real Salt Lake host a stuttering NYCFC side
Our approach: we anchor every pick to what's actually in the data — points, positions, recent scorelines and underlying shot and chance-creation numbers — then let Squawka's Signal model translate that into a projected result, scoreline and top markets, rather than reaching for the safe favourite by name alone.
Odds correct at time of writing and shown in American format for illustration; your local odds may vary. 19+ (18+ in AB/MB/QC). Please play responsibly. ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (ON).
Season Form & Standings
Real Salt Lake go into matchday sitting 10th in the Western Conference with 29 points from 22 games, right on the fringe of the playoff picture, while NYCFC sit seventh in the Eastern Conference, a healthier position in a similarly tight race.
Western Conference
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Salt Lake | 10 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 36 | 35 | +1 | 29 |
Real Salt Lake vs NYCFC Predicted Lineups
Predicted XI — updated for the latest team news.
Real Salt Lake
3-4-3NYCFC
4-2-3-1Potential Match-Winners
- Sergi Solans Ormo (Real Salt Lake): Real Salt Lake’s top scorer with 9 goals and 19 shots on target from 46 attempts, he remains the focal point of everything they create.
- Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake): 5 goals from 31 shots undersell him — it’s his 43 chances created that make him the most dangerous creator on the pitch.
- Nicolás Fernández Mercau (NYCFC): NYCFC’s leading man with 14 goals, 32 shots on target and 42 chances created, making him the visitors’ biggest individual threat.
Recent Form
Real Salt Lake: D L L L D
- 2026-09-06: Real Salt Lake 2-2 LAFC (D, home)
- 2026-08-30: Colorado Rapids 1-0 Real Salt Lake (L, away)
- 2026-08-23: Orlando City 2-1 Real Salt Lake (L, away)
- 2026-08-20: Real Salt Lake 3-4 FC Dallas (L, home)
- 2026-08-16: Real Salt Lake 1-1 Minnesota United (D, home)
Real Salt Lake’s last five have brought a 2-2 home draw with LAFC, a 1-0 loss at Colorado Rapids, a 2-1 defeat at Orlando City, a 3-4 home loss to FC Dallas and a 1-1 home draw with Minnesota United.
NYCFC: L L D D D
- 2026-09-05: NYCFC 0-0 Nashville SC (D, home)
- 2026-08-30: Toronto FC 1-1 NYCFC (D, away)
- 2026-08-23: New England Revolution 1-1 NYCFC (D, away)
- 2026-08-20: FC Cincinnati 2-1 NYCFC (L, away)
- 2026-08-16: NYCFC 2-3 Philadelphia Union (L, home)
NYCFC’s last five have brought a 0-0 home draw with Nashville SC, a 1-1 draw at Toronto FC, a 1-1 draw at New England Revolution, a 2-1 loss at FC Cincinnati and a 2-3 home defeat to Philadelphia Union.
Real Salt Lake vs NYCFC Prediction
Expect a tight, cagey contest between two sides short on rhythm — Real Salt Lake sit 10th in the Western Conference with 29 points from 22 games, still in the playoff mix, while NYCFC occupy seventh in the East in a tighter race of their own. Home advantage and the goal threat of Sergi Solans Ormo and Diego Luna should just be enough, with Nicolás Fernández Mercau’s finishing keeping NYCFC in it until the end. Squawka’s Signal model calls it 2-1 to Real Salt Lake.