Roman Burki believes St Louis City are “on the right track” as they look to continue their fine run of form on decision day against Real Salt Lake.
Although they are not in contention for the playoffs, St Louis have won three of their last four games in MLS, as many as they had in their previous 14 matches in the competition.
Their last match was particularly impressive, cruising to a 3-1 away win against Austin FC, who are sixth in the Western Conference.
Despite their poor start to the season, which eventually ruled them out of the postseason, Burki is optimistic about the future of the team.
“I have definitely seen a lot of improvement,” said Burki.
“I think what Critch [head coach David Cricthley] has mentioned before is that it was not easy when he stepped in, but he wanted to change some things, the training [sessions], how we played on the weekends, and I think we changed a lot.
“We have won two away games in a row and it is a sign that we need time, but we are on the right track. I’m very positive about the whole improvement that we have made.
“We should now look forward. What happened in the past is in the past, we can’t change it, and it is the way it is.
“So I’m looking positively into the future and the off-season the time to prepare for next and be ready to do it all over again.”
This club. This movement. This CITY is yours. #AllForCITY x @wwt_inc pic.twitter.com/f1Qi9S5ttc
— St Louis CITY SC (@stlCITYsc) October 17, 2025
RSL won’t be an easy final regular-season fixture for St Louis as the visitors will be looking to secure their spot in the playoffs.
A win for RSL will guarantee their place in the postseason, but they could miss out entirely if they fail to win at Energizer Park.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
St Louis City – Marcel Hartel
Joao Klauss and Marcel Hartel both enter the season finale tied for the team lead with nine goals scored in the 2025 regular season, with the latter also providing six assists.
The club record for goals in a single MLS season is 10, accomplished by both Klauss and Nicholas Gioacchini in 2023.
Real Salt Lake – Diego Luna
Diego Luna leads Real Salt Lake in 2025 with nine goals and six assists in the regular season.
RSL have lost just four of the 11 league games in which Luna has had a goal contribution (W5 D2), and nine of the 15 in which he played but didn’t have a goal contribution (W5 D1).
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
RSL have lost four straight road matches, scoring just twice during the losing streak. This is Salt Lake’s longest regular-season road losing streak since five straight away defeats in August-September 2021.
St Louis have faced 519 shots this regular season, the only MLS team to see 500+ shots against them in 2025. City have attempted 457 shots, seventh-most in MLS, with the combined 976 shots also being the most in the league.
RSL’s last two matches against St Louis have been wins by the scores of 3-2 and 3-1. RSL have never had three straight league games with three or more goals scored against a single opponent.
In their last six league matches, St. Louis have won three, drawn one and lost two. Salt Lake, meanwhile, have won three and lost three in their last six.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
St Louis City – 40.3%
Draw – 26.6%
Real Salt Lake – 33.1%