Real Salt Lake was unable to recover from its home loss last week, falling 2-0 in an away matchup against Minnesota United in St. Paul, Minn.

Real Salt Lake (2-4-0, 6 points, 11th West MLS) has now endured rare back-to-back losses, its first failure to bounce back since August of last year. This occurrence is only the 12th occasion in RSL head coach Pablo Mastroeni’s 147 games since August, 2021, with the team suffering successive losses.

RSL saw three of its top players return to the starting lineup after missing the 0-1 home to Dallas last weekend. Captain Emeka Eneli made his return after back spasms kept him off the field a week ago, while Diego Luna (USA) and Dominik Marczuk (Poland) saw game action following their international call-ups in the most recent FIFA window.

Despite the return of this key trio, the Utah side lacked clarity in the first half of the match with the icy cold and rainy conditions perpetuating both team’s difficulties. Minnesota’s defensive strategy annulled any attempts from RSL to get going on the attack.

Goalkeeper Rafael Cabral — the lone RSL player to have played all 720 minutes of the season across multiple competitions — once again proved to be monumental for the squad, coming up with three big saves in the first 45 minutes. However, at the 30th minute Minnesota’s collective play on the counterattack opened up spaces deep in RSL’s half, scoring for the home side after forward Tani Oluwaseyi headed home an inviting cross from teammate Jefferson Diaz.

It was another disappointing start to a match for Real Salt Lake who were unable to create chances on the offensive side of the ball, generating 0 attempts on goal, and relying heavily on free kick opportunities in their opponent’s half which amounted to very little in the first 45 minutes.

Mastroeni went with four changes going into the start of the second half, as rookie Spaniard Jesús Barea made his RSL debut, along with the first MLS appearance of the season for Zavier Gozo. Midfielder Lachlan Brook and homegrown DF Bode Hidalgo also entered the match.

RSL seemed to find a better footing in the game following the halftime break, creating spaces in the attack that weren’t available prior. At the 55th minute, Minnesota made RSL’s hopes for a comeback even tougher as Oluwaseyi bagged his second goal of the night, taking advantage of a one-on-one by streaking past an isolated RSL defender and beating Cabral near post to make the game 2-0.

DF Brayan Vera had the opportunity to bring the game back to within a goal but his point-blank header stayed out as the ball was bouncing in the Minnesota box, leaving the keeper and his defender confused, but the shot-stopper recovered and saved what could’ve been the beginning of a rally.

Barea was a bright spot of the night, looking fresh on the ball and finding a couple chances on goal but unable to convert. Australian youngster Ari Piol returns to game action next week after serving his one-game suspension following his straight red in the 23rd minute last week against Dallas.

Next week RSL is back home hosting LA Galaxy on Saturday, April 5. Kickoff is slated for 2:30 PM MT at America First Field, with tickets available here.

Utah Royals get shutout at Kansas City

Utah Royals FC fell, 3-0, to unbeaten Kansas City Current in Kansas City to finish out a two-game road trip.

The Royals (0-1-2, 1pt, 13th NWSL)  started strong, with Ally Sentnor getting a shot on goal in just the 7th minute of play.

From that point on, Utah was unable to deal with the Current’s relentless attack. Despite a disallowed goal following a VAR review that confirmed Michelle Cooper handled the ball in the build-up, the Royals entered the halftime break trailing by three.

Utah was able to keep the Current (3-0-0, 9 pts, 2nd NWSL) off the scoresheet during the second half. While it was not the result the Royals were hoping for, the defensive effort and ability to not concede in the second half is something Coenraets will look for his squad to carry into the next match.

Utah Royals FC is back home after the international break for two consecutive matches, first hosting the Portland Thorns on April 11th for a retro themed matchday, followed by a match against the Chicago Stars on April 18th.

Kickoff against the Thorns is slated for 8 p.m. MT, and 7:30 p.m. MT against the Stars.

Utah Warriors rugby can’t hold big halftime lead, loses to New England

The Utah Warriors put together an impressive first half in its home match against the two-time defending Major League Rugby Champion New England Free Jacks at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman on Saturday.

Unfortunately for the Warriors, they couldn’t keep it going.

Utah got a diving try from Kyle Brown in the 38th minute of action to build a solid 26-5 advantage at halftime. New England, however, recovered and scored 28 unanswered points in the second half to steal the 33-26 victory.

The Warriors (4-2) will try to bounce back when they face RFC Los Angeles at

Wallis Annenberg Stadium in Los Angeles on April 12 at 8 p.m. MT.

LOVB Salt Lake beats LOVB Omaha in Texas

LOVB Salt Lake outside hitter Roni Jones-Perry tied the league record with four service aces versus LOVB Omaha at Strahan Arena in San Marcos, Texas, on Saturday.

In the opening clash of a doubleheader, LOVB Salt Lake came out on top, beating LOVB Omaha 24-26, 31-33, 25-19, 25-15, 15-11.

Salt Lake and Omaha also combined to equal the longest set in LOVB history, playing the second set of the early match to 33-31.

Outside hitter Roni Jones-Perry earned Player of the Match after a stellar performance that featured 28 points: 22 kills, two blocks, and the record-tying four aces. Roni added 14 digs for her third double-double of the season.

“I’m really proud of my crew for grinding it out,” Salt Lake head coach Tama Miyashiro said. “To come back is really important for us at this point of the season.”

With the win, Salt Lake moved to 6-8 on the season while Omaha dropped to 5-10. Salt Lake can still finish the regular season anywhere from third to fifth place while Omaha will end in fifth or sixth.

The final week of LOVB’s inaugural regular season will be this weekend with LOVB Salt Lake will host LOVB Madison, LOVB Houston and LOVB Austin. For more details, go to https://www.lovb.com/teams/lovb-salt-lake-volleyball.