The Real Salt Lake Riot wave flags as they celebrate RSL’s third goal of the game during the second half of an MLS game against Sporting Kansas City at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Isabella is part of the communications team with Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals. This story was created in partnership with the Deseret News.
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Real Salt Lake defeated Western Conference rival Sporting Kansas City 3-1 in a Saturday matinee at America First Field in Sandy, Utah. The match was nothing short of spectacular, set on a sunny afternoon in front of another sold-out crowd of 20,290 with goals by three different players.
Real Salt Lake extend unbeaten streak to five matches
The Claret-and-Cobalt opened its rivalry match on veritable fire, taking the lead in the fourth minute with a goal by U.S. World Cup hopeful Diego Luna. The score marked Luna’s first of the 2026 campaign — coming in his first start after a preseason knee injury — and set the home side up for early success, continuing to show the growing confidence of the young squad.
As the first half progressed, Real Salt Lake sustained relentless pressure on its opponents, showcasing sharp, heads-up play and cohesive teamwork to keep the ball out of its defensive end. The control was so effective that captain and goalkeeper Rafael Cabral was called into action just once before halftime.
After a heavy defensive start to the second half, 19-year-old Utah native Zavier Gozo set off the offensive chain reaction, sending a back-heel pass to newcomer Morgan Guilavogui, who dribbled up the pitch before passing the ball left for rookie striker Sergi Solans, who placed a right-footed shot into the back of the net, finally breaking through after hitting the crossbar twice in the first 45 minutes and being snuffed in a one-on-one breakaway. Sporting Kansas City was able to get on the board just four minutes after the 2-0 lead was achieved, making the score 2-1 in favor of the home side.
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Real Salt Lake defender Alexandros Katranis (98) celebrates with midfielder Diego Luna (10) after Luna scored a goal during the first half of an MLS game against Sporting Kansas City at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake forward Sergi Solans (22) runs to the corner to celebrate after scoring against Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper John Pulskamp (1) during the second half of an MLS game at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake forward Morgan Guilavogui (9) holds a puppy as players walk out onto the field for the national anthem before an MLS game against Sporting Kansas City at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake head coach Pablo Mastroeni yells to his team during the second half of an MLS game against Sporting Kansas City at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake defender Philip Quinton (26) battles for the ball with Sporting Kansas City forward Calvin Harris (11) during the first half of an MLS game at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake defender Philip Quinton (26) makes a pass around Sporting Kansas City forward Calvin Harris (11) during the first half of an MLS game at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake forward Morgan Guilavogui (9) controls the ball during the first half of an MLS game against Sporting Kansas City at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Sporting Kansas City defender Ethan Bartlow (23) clears the ball ahead of Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna (10) during the first half of an MLS game at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna (10) makes a pass during the first half of an MLS game against Sporting Kansas City at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake forward Sergi Solans (22) shoots during the first half of an MLS game against Sporting Kansas City at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake forward Sergi Solans (22) dribbles up the field during a breakaway during the first half of an MLS game against Sporting Kansas City at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake forward Morgan Guilavogui (9) controls the ball against Sporting Kansas City midfielder Lasse Johnsen (4) during the second half of an MLS game at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna (10) pumps up the crowd as he prepares to take a corner kick during the second half of an MLS game against Sporting Kansas City at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake midfielder Zavier Gozo (72) attempts to dribble past Sporting Kansas City forward Shapi Suleymanov (93) during the second half of an MLS game at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna (10) is fouled by Sporting Kansas City midfielder Jake Davis (8) during the second half of an MLS game at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Sporting Kansas City forward Dejan Joveljić (9) celebrates after scoring during the second half of an MLS game against Real Salt Lake at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake defender Alexandros Katranis (98) controls the ball during the second half of an MLS game against Sporting Kansas City at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake forward Victor Olatunji (17) has his shot blocked by Sporting Kansas City defender Jansen Miller (15) during the second half of an MLS game at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake midfielder Zavier Gozo (72) looks for a passing lane around Sporting Kansas City defender Jansen Miller (15) during the second half of an MLS game at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans cheer as Real Salt Lake midfielder Zavier Gozo (72) celebrates after scoring during the second half of an MLS game against Sporting Kansas City at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake midfielder Zavier Gozo (72) celebrates after scoring during the second half of an MLS game against Sporting Kansas City at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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The Real Salt Lake Riot wave flags as they celebrate RSL’s third goal of the game during the second half of an MLS game against Sporting Kansas City at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake forward Sergi Solans (22) lays on the ground after face planting while attempting a knee slide as he celebrated scoring during the second half of an MLS game against Sporting Kansas City at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake defender Sam Junqua (29) dives past Sporting Kansas City midfielder Jake Davis (8) during the second half of an MLS game at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna (10) signs a jersey for a fan after Real Salt Lake defeated Sporting Kansas City 3-1 in an MLS game at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake forward Sergi Solans (22) scores a goal against Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper John Pulskamp (1) during the second half of an MLS game against Sporting Kansas City at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Real Salt Lake forward Sergi Solans (22) celebrates after scoring during the second half of an MLS game against Sporting Kansas City at America First Field in Sandy on Saturday, April 4, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Defender Alex Katranis (98) touches the ball down field past SKC defender Justin Reynolds (13) early in the first half of play. | Meagan Johnson, Real Salt Lake
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Head coach Pablo Mastroeni fires up his team from the sideline during the victory on Saturday afternoon. | Meagan Johnson, Real Salt Lake
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Zavier Gozo (72) celebrates with his teammates after his 88th minute goal put RSL up 3-1. | Meagan Johnson, Real Salt Lake
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Sergi Solans (22) celebrates his 55th minute goal with teammates Morgan Guilavogui (9), Zavier Gozo (72), Alex Katranis (98) and Diego Luna (10) following close behind. | Meagan Johnson, Real Salt Lake
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Diego Luna (10) celebrates after scoring his first goal of the 2026 season to put RSL up 1-0 just four minutes into the match. | Meagan Johnson, Real Salt Lake
Eagle Mountain-raised Gozo capped off the win for RSL with a beautiful goal in the 82nd minute, marking his second of the season and giving Caliskan two assists on the day, after assisting Luna earlier in the match. With the win, Real Salt Lake extends its unbeaten streak to five straight matches, including a perfect 3-0-0 mark at home thus far in 2026.
Quotable:
“I’ve been a part of many clubs and I would say in the last year and a half that ownership, front office, players and coaches are aligned and this is such a rare thing,” Head coach Pablo Mastroeni said.
Luna kicks off win with lightning fast goal just four minutes in
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Luna made his first start of 2026 Saturday afternoon and came in with a bang, putting the home side up early with his first goal of the 2026 campaign. RSL continued to push, finding multiple scoring opportunities in the first 45 minutes of the match.
MLS debutant Solans capitalized on his strong first half performance, netting his third goal in four matches in the 55th minute. Just four minutes later, Sporting KC found an answer, with a goal by vaunted striker Dejan Joveljic. In the 72nd minute, RSL Head coach Mastroeni made his first substitutions of the match, bringing on striker Victor Olatunji and defender Sam Junqua, both bringing fresh legs and pressure for Real Salt Lake.
Gozo put the exclamation point on the game after receiving a ball from Caliskan and taking a touch, before volleying a laser with his right foot into the back of the net — the same play from the same spot as 2008 MLS Goal of the Year winner Will Johnson in the second-ever game in Sandy — to give RSL the two-goal lead. Closing out the match with a win, Real Salt Lake is now 49-10-19 when scoring first in the 189-game Mastroeni era after today’s match.
Real Salt Lake remains in Utah for its second of three straight home matches, welcoming San Diego FC to America First Field on Saturday March 18, kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. MDT and will be streaming exclusively on AppleTV.
Defender Alex Katranis (98) touches the ball down field past SKC defender Justin Reynolds (13) early in the first half of play. | Meagan Johnson, Real Salt Lake
Zavier Gozo (72) celebrates with his teammates after his 88th minute goal put RSL up 3-1. | Meagan Johnson, Real Salt Lake
Sergi Solans (22) celebrates his 55th minute goal with teammates Morgan Guilavogui (9), Zavier Gozo (72), Alex Katranis (98) and Diego Luna (10) following close behind. | Meagan Johnson, Real Salt Lake
Diego Luna (10) celebrates after scoring his first goal of the 2026 season to put RSL up 1-0 just four minutes into the match. | Meagan Johnson, Real Salt Lake
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