Real Salt Lake Looks to Extend Hot Start Against Struggling Austin FC

RSL's youthful attack has led to a strong 2-1-0 start, while Austin FC has lost four straight road matches.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 8:06am

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Real Salt Lake looks to win three straight games in MLS play for the first time since last July when it hosts an Austin FC side that has struggled in its previous trips to Utah. RSL has made a strong start on the shoulders of a youthful attack, with all four of its goal scorers so far age 23 or younger. Meanwhile, Austin FC heads to Utah looking for a second win at RSL in its sixth trip since joining the league in 2021, having suffered multi-goal defeats there in both 2024 and '25.

Why it matters

Real Salt Lake's hot start has been fueled by its young talent, providing hope that this season could be a breakout year for the club. Austin FC, on the other hand, has struggled on the road and will look to prove it can win at a difficult venue in Utah.

The details

Real Salt Lake (2-1-0, 6 points) has made a strong start, with all four of its goal scorers so far age 23 or younger, including teenagers Zavier Gozo and Aiden Hezarkhani. This has allowed RSL to weather the early season absence of American World Cup hopeful Diego Luna, who led the team with nine goals in 2025 but has been hampered by a knee injury. Austin FC (1-1-1, 4 points) has lost four straight MLS regular-season away matches since a 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City on Sept. 7 of last year, and has suffered multi-goal defeats at RSL in both 2024 and '25.

  • Real Salt Lake looks to win three straight games in MLS play for the first time since last July on Saturday (March 16, 2026).
  • Austin FC has lost four straight MLS regular-season away matches since a 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City on September 7, 2025.

The players

Real Salt Lake

An MLS club based in Sandy, Utah that has made a strong start to the 2026 season.

Austin FC

An MLS club based in Austin, Texas that has struggled on the road, including multi-goal defeats at Real Salt Lake in 2024 and 2025.

Diego Luna

An American World Cup hopeful who led Real Salt Lake with nine goals in 2025 but has been hampered by a knee injury early this season.

Zavier Gozo

A teenage goal scorer for Real Salt Lake this season.

Aiden Hezarkhani

A teenage goal scorer for Real Salt Lake this season.

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What they’re saying

“My thing is that, when you see these guys interact away from the field, It's like a brotherhood. It's a bunch of guys that enjoy spending time together. There's no guy that's bigger than the team.”

— Pablo Mastroeni, Real Salt Lake Manager

“We know that in general it's hard to go play there. It's not a notoriously good place for us where we go. And so I think we're very aware of that.”

— Brandon Hines-Ike, Austin FC Center Back

What’s next

Real Salt Lake will look to extend its winning streak to three games when it hosts Austin FC on Saturday, March 16, 2026.

The takeaway

Real Salt Lake's strong start has been fueled by its young talent, providing hope that this season could be a breakout year for the club. However, Austin FC will be looking to prove it can win at the difficult venue in Utah, where it has struggled in recent years.