Richter’s record-breaking Union face a depleted RSL
Real Salt Lake are Philadelphia Union’s visitors at Subaru Park on Saturday, 10 October 2026, chasing a seventh straight league win. When Ryan Richter replaced Bradley Carnell on 27 May, the Union were bottom of MLS with a 1-10-4 record. They have not lost a league game since, winning ten of 12 and climbing to sixth in the East on 39 points. RSL are 11th in the West, below the playoff line, and arrive with a long injury list. Kick-off is at 7:30pm local time (01:30 CEST on Sunday), with Elijio Arreguin the referee.
Real Salt Lake have not won an away game in any competition since beating Atlanta on 7 March.
Predicted lineups: Philadelphia vs RSL
Philadelphia beat Orlando 4-2 before the break even without five international regulars. Andre Blake, Frankie Westfield, Neil Pierre and Cavan Sullivan should all return, with Westfield, Pierre and Sullivan having made their USMNT debuts. Japhet Sery Larsen is suspended, but Pierre and Nathan Harriel were the centre-back pairing in the 4-3 win at Kansas City. RSL are without Diego Luna, who needs knee surgery for a torn meniscus and will miss the rest of the season, as well as Justen Glad, Lukas Engel, Juan José Arias and Griffin Dillon. Pablo Mastroeni is expected to stay with the 3-4-3 that beat New England 3-0.
Philadelphia Team News & Preview
The Union’s turnaround under Richter has been remarkable. Their six straight wins and 12-game unbeaten run are both club records, and the attack has taken off: 23 goals in the last six games, including 5-0 wins over Cincinnati and at San Diego. At home under Richter, they have won six and drawn one of seven league games.
Milan Iloski leads the way with 16 league goals, and Bruno Damiani has eight. Even the defence has improved, with three clean sheets in the last six games. With the Union six points behind fourth-placed Chicago in the race for home advantage in the first round, they have no reason to ease off.
What works for or against Philadelphia
- Philadelphia have won six in a row and are unbeaten in 12 under Ryan Richter.
- They have scored 23 goals in their last six league games.
- Centre-back Japhet Sery Larsen is suspended.
- Five internationals return after the break, and three of them made their USMNT debuts.
Real Salt Lake Team News & Preview
RSL won 3-0 against New England before the break, with Sergi Solans scoring twice, but that has been a rare highlight. Their away record is one win, three draws and nine defeats, with 24 goals conceded in 13 games, and their last away win came on 7 March in Atlanta.
The injury list makes this trip harder. Luna is their most creative player and an international, Glad has been a long-serving presence at the back, and Engel and Arias are also missing. Solans, with 11 goals, is their main threat, and RSL have scored in ten of 13 away games, so they rarely go down without a goal.
What works for or against RSL
- RSL have lost nine of 13 away league games.
- Diego Luna is out for the rest of the season, and Glad, Engel, Arias and Dillon are also missing.
- They beat New England 3-0 in their last game, with Sergi Solans scoring twice.
- Six of their nine away defeats have been by a single goal.
Philadelphia vs RSL Odds
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Philadelphia Union vs. Real Salt Lake Stats Comparison
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Philadelphia Union vs. Real Salt Lake Form Guide
Philadelphia Union Form, Stats & Data
The season averages of 2.00 goals scored and 1.63 conceded per game hide two very different halves. The Union started 1-10-4 under Carnell and have been one of the best sides in the league since. In the last six games alone they have scored 23 and conceded six, and that is the form that matters for this game.
Real Salt Lake Form, Stats & Data
RSL concede 1.63 goals per game overall, and away from home the figure is worse, with 24 goals conceded in 13 games. They still carry a threat through Solans, but without Luna’s creativity and with several defenders missing, I expect them to spend long spells defending at Subaru Park.
Philadelphia vs RSL: Prediction & Betting Tip
The Union win at 1.41 is too short for my liking, so I am looking at the margin. Philadelphia have won five of their last six games by two goals or more, they are at full strength apart from Sery Larsen, and they face a side that has lost nine of 13 away games and is missing its best creative player and several defenders.
The one thing that gives me pause is RSL’s habit of keeping games close. Six of their nine away defeats have been by a single goal, and they have scored in ten of 13 away games. That is why I am taking the Asian Handicap at -1 rather than -1.5: a one-goal Union win returns the stake, and a win by two or more pays out.
My main bet is Philadelphia -1 Asian Handicap at 1.62 with Winz. My correct-score pick is 3-1 to Philadelphia.