Yoann Damet insists nobody at St. Louis City will shy away from the challenge that awaits them on Saturday, as they prepare to face Western Conference high-flyers Real Salt Lake.

St. Louis sit seventh in the West, occupying the division's final automatic playoff spot, after 17 games of the MLS season.

Since returning from the World Cup break, they have propelled themselves up the standings with three straight victories, the most recent of which came by a 1-0 scoreline against the Colorado Rapids last Saturday.

But a meeting with Pablo Mastroeni's RSL, who are three places and one point higher than Damet's side in the standings, will be a true test of their credentials.

"It's a great opponent, I'm looking forward to the game and to the challenge – they've been playing really well," Damet said.

"I've liked what I've seen when I've watched them. It's a tough opponent. But at the same time, we have an idea of what we want to do, and how we've prepared for it.

"It should be a good challenge for us at a good time. We are always looking to test ourselves, for ways to improve, and facing these kinds of teams is part of that process.

"I think the group are also excited about it, and doing that at home in front of our fans should also be a big push for it."

Unlike St. Louis, Real Salt Lake have struggled since returning to MLS action after the hiatus. 

They have suffered back-to-back defeats against Los Angeles FC (1-3) and the Portland Timbers (1-2) to slip behind the West's pacesetters, with the Vancouver Whitecaps, LAFC and the San Jose Earthquakes all seven points clear of Mastroeni's men.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

St. Louis City – Tomas Ostrak

Against the Rapids last time out, Ostrak became St. Louis' 14th different goalscorer in MLS play this season, and the fourth substitute to find the net for them. 

St. Louis' 14 different goalscorers are the most by any MLS team in the regular season in 2026, while their four goals from substitutes are a joint-high tally. Ostrak will hope he can get among the goals again, regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench.

Real Salt Lake – Morgan Guilavogui 

Guilavogui provided his team-leading sixth assist of the year last weekend, against the Timbers. 

Four of his six assists have come on the road, with only Rodrigo De Paul (six), Joaquin Pereyra, Marco Reus and Niko Tsakiris (all five) providing more.

MATCH PREDICTION – ST. LOUIS CITY WIN

Real Salt Lake are unbeaten in their first three visits to St. Louis (W1 D2). Their only longer unbeaten run to begin a road series against any single opponent is a five-match streak against the Philadelphia Union (W1 D4).

However, RSL have only won one of their last 14 matches away from home (D3 L10) across all competitions. 

Since the beginning of last August, that is tied for the fewest road wins in all competitions by any MLS side, alongside Toronto FC.

St. Louis, meanwhile, have won four regular-season home matches in a row for the first time since accomplishing that feat in July and August 2023. 

Five other teams have won four straight at home in league play this season, but only the New England Revolution (six) have surpassed that mark – can St. Louis follow in their footsteps here?

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

St. Louis City – 45.4%

Real Salt Lake – 30.3% 

Draw – 24.3%