Real Salt Lake vs Portland Timbers Prediction, 5/2/2026 Soccer Pick, Tips and Odds

by Josh Schonwald - 5/1/2026

Game: Real Salt Lake vs Portland Timbers

Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026

Location: America First Field in Sandy, UT

TV: FOX Apple TV

The Timbers (1-3-17) are en route to America First Field in Sandy, UT on Saturday where they will attempt to beat RSL (1-5-13). RSL is priced at -150 while the Timbers are at +125. The total has been set at 3. The men protecting the net are Rafael Cabral for Salt Lake and James Pantemis for Portland.

soccer picks Diego Luna Real Salt Lake predictions best bet odds

The Claret and Cobalt rank 4th in expected goals with 19.2, and their expected goals against sit at 22.1. RSL has given up 14 goals while conceding 1.56 goals per 102, and opponents have a total of 44 SoT against them. Their goal differential is currently at 1 by way of 15 goals scored and 14 goals given up. They have yet to earn a clean sheet this season. Real Salt Lake has a total of 32 saves and also hold a save percentage of 68.2% this season. Salt Lake has a total of 21 yellow cards this year. This season, this team averages 1.78 points per match (16 points) and also rank 25th in European soccer with 13 assists.

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The Timbers average 1.1 points per match while totaling 9 assists and 2 red cards. Portland has recorded 17 yellow cards. Portland ranks 24th in goals against with 19, and their goal differential sits at -6. This season, Portland has a save % of 65.5% (55 SoT against), and also rank 7th in European soccer with 10 points. Their goals against per 106 is currently at 2.11 with 38 saves. The Portland Timbers have totaled 13 goals and their expected goals this season is currently at 20.5.

The guy defending the goal for Salt Lake is Rafael Cabral. Cabral has played for 3,870 minutes and has earned 124 saves so far in his career. The keeper from Brazil has had 176 shots attempted at him in 43 starts. His goals against per 90 mins is 1.47 (63 total goals allowed) and he holds a save percentage of 70.5%. Cabral (17-6-20 mark during his career) has recorded 7 shutouts, which leaves him with a 16.3%% clean sheet percentage.

James Pantemis is expected to look after the goal for Portland. During his career, Pantemis has conceded 114 goals and has accumulated 253 saves in 76 starting assignments. Pantemis has racked up 16 clean sheets while defending 355 shots against him in 6,873 career mins. He has earned a save percentage of 71.3% and his clean sheet rate is currently 20.9%%. He has surrendered 1.49 goals per 90 mins while earning a mark of 32-21-23.

Diego Luna is one man who can be a difference maker for Salt Lake. He has totaled 13 assists while earning 61 points so far in his career. The midfielder born in the United States has racked up 24 goals in 6,368 mins. Luna has started 74 outings during his career and scores 0.34 G/90.

Portland features an attacker in Kevin Kelsy, who defenders will be preparing for in this game. He sports an average of 0.43 goals per 90 minutes and has had a starting assignment in 37 matches in his pro soccer career. The forward who is from Venezuela has 3,154 professional minutes and has earned 15 goals. He has totaled 32 pts in his career and has helped on a goal 2 times.

Who will win tonight's soccer game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Real Salt Lake (+125)

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Start:	May 1, 2026 @ 6:40 PM
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Real Salt Lake vs Portland Timbers Prediction, 5/2/2026 Soccer Pick, Tips and Odds

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