Match review: Youth, homegrown talent show up again for RSL

Published: March 1, 2026, 12:50 a.m. MST

Real Salt Lake forward Ariath Piol (19) celebrates after scoring during the second half of the game against the Seattle Sounders at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Isabella is part of the communications team with Real Salt Lake. This story was created in partnership with the Deseret News.

Real Salt Lake earned its first win of the 2026 MLS season, 2-1 over the Seattle Sounders, in its home opener on Saturday night in Sandy, Utah, showcasing its offseason acquisitions while once again highlighting the young talent spread throughout the roster.

Hezarkhani nets first MLS career goal in home opener

Real Salt Lake head coach Pablo Mastroeni made three changes to his starting lineup after a tight 1-0 defeat to 2025 Western Conference Champion Vancouver last week. The updated lineup struck a balance between seasoned international presence and promising youth.

Uruguayan defender Juan Manuel Sanabria made his MLS and RSL debut on the left side, while Danish defender Lukas Engel also stepped into the lineup, making his first start for the Claret-and-Cobalt after missing the season-opening match due to injury.

In the 23rd minute, 18-year-old RSL Academy product Aiden Hezarkhani gave RSL the lead with a perfectly-placed volley off of a cross by Sanabria. The strike marked the teenager’s first MLS goal in just his fourth appearance, while the goal marked the first career assist for Sanabria, coming in his MLS debut.

Quotable

“This team (Seattle) is just shredded with experience, so for these guys to be able to handle themselves is impressive. It’s daunting to go up against a Seattle team who’s been together for the last six or seven years and been winning trophies. So to be able to do that at home in front of our fans, it just makes me really proud.” — Pablo Mastroeni, RSL head coach

Immediate impact: RSL’s offseason signings shine

RSL came out strong in the second half, with second-year Australian Ari Piol finding the net just two minutes after the restart, assisted by Utah native Zavier Gozo, giving the home side a 2-0 lead.

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Seattle found a spark in the 62nd minute, when U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Christian Roldan headed in a corner kick, cutting the deficit to 2–1.

Rookie striker Sergi Solans entered the match in the 72nd minute, alongside recently-acquired French-born designated player Morgan Guilavogui, who also made his MLS and RSL debut. The pair injected energy into the attack, coming dangerously close on several attacking chances, helping RSL close out the home opener with a win, also improving RSL’s all-time home-opening record to 11 wins and nine draws against just two losses in 22 seasons on the Wasatch.

With the loss tonight, Seattle remains winless on Utah soil since the 2012 playoffs. RSL improved to 15 wins and four draws against just two losses all-time against the visiting Sounders.