SANDY, Utah (Sat., Sept. 26, 2026) – Real Salt Lake (9-13-5, 32 points, 12th West / 21st MLS Shield) earned a long-awaited victory on Saturday night, defeating Eastern Conference power New England Revolution (14-9-4, 46 points, 3rd West / 4th MLS Shield) 3-0 before 20,918 fans at America First Field. Tonight’s match marked RSL’s 16th consecutive sellout at home, with the victory improving RSL’s record in Sandy to 11-4-3 (W-L-T) across all competitions in 2026, including 8-4-2 in MLS action.
Since June 1, 2025, RSL boasts a 19-7-5 (W-L-T) mark at America First Field. RSL has yet to lose to New England in Utah since July of 2007, improving to 13-6-6 overall and 9-2-3 all-time at home, including 8-0-2 (W-L-T) at America First Field, outscoring the Revs 30-10.
On Saturday, RSL secured its first MLS shutout since May 13 against Houston, en route to snapping its record 13-game single-season MLS winless streak, as well as a five-game home drought. RSL homegrown Aiden Hezarkhani scored the early opener for his first goal since March 7, while Sergi Solans regained his early-season form, scoring a brace after finding the back of the net for the first time since August 19. The Spanish-born rookie became only the sixth-ever MLS SuperDraft pick in history to score 10 or more goals as a rookie.
RSL Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni made just one personnel change to tonight’s starting XI following the 2-0 midweek loss at Seattle on Wednesday. RSL Academy product Hezarkhani rejoined the lineup to make his fifth start in the last eight games, replacing fellow Claret-and-Cobalt homegrown Luca Moisa, who departed for international duty with the USMNT U-19 side on Thursday.
Just three minutes into the match, RSL snapped a 287-minute scoreless streak, as Hezarkhani put the home side in front with a curling, left-footed strike. After New England failed to clear a Dominik Marczuk cross, Hezakhani recovered the ball atop the six-yard box, settling one touch before hitting off the crossbar underside. The goal gave the hosts much-needed momentum, scoring first for the first time since August 15, while continuing to create chances in the opening quarter-hour of the match.
The Claret-and-Cobalt came close to doubling its lead in the 31st minute, as Designated Player Morgan Guilavogui played a throughball into Solans. RSL’s leading 2026 scorer found himself one-on-one with USA goalkeeper Matt Turner, forcing a crucial save from the American international. Supplemented by a strong defensive half, RSL carried a promising 1-0 lead into halftime.
Just out of the locker room, the battle between Solans and Turner continued as the Spaniard darted towards goal. Solans successfully cut past the last defender and fired a low, driven shot to the near post, but the former World Cup ‘keeper was up to the task, getting low to make a strong one-armed save.
The third time was the charm for Solans, who finally got his goal in the 63rd minute to put RSL up 2-0. Noel Caliskan dribbled up the center of the field, finding the rookie with a seeing-eye ball, Solans holding off the last defender before finishing calmly past Turner. The goal, his first since August 19 against Dallas, further cemented Solans’ lead in the Club’s Golden Boot race with 11 MLS goals, becoming the sixth all-time MLS SuperDraft pick ever to accrue double-digit goals as a rookie.
In the 80th minute, the Claret-and-Cobalt scored the dagger as Sergi Solans netted his 15th goal across all competitions this season. Marczuk played the ball up the right sideline to Guilavogui, who took a touch before curling a cross into Solans, who finished with a first-time, left-footed strike. The dominant performance gave RSL its first MLS win since May 16, ending the midseason struggles in emphatic fashion.
Following a much-needed international break, Real Salt Lake will return to MLS action in two weeks, travelling to face the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, October 10. The interconference battle is set to kick off at 5:30 p.m. MT from Subaru Park, with the match available to stream on AppleTV.
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
RSL 3 : 0 NE
RSL: Aiden Hezarkhani (Unassisted) 3’: Dominik Marczuk sent in a right-footed cross from his native sideline, deflected but not cleared by the New England defense. Hezarkhani was there to collect the loose ball atop the six, finishing with a left-footed curler that deflected off the crossbar and in.
RSL: Sergi Solans (Noel Caliskan) 62’: Caliskan dribbled up the middle of the field, delaying the pass until the final second and finding a throughball into Solans. The Spanish rookie held off the last defender before finishing with a right-footed shot.
RSL: Sergi Solans (Morgan Guilavogui, Dominik Marczuk) 80’: Marczuk played the ball up the right sideline to Guilavogui, who took a touch before curling a right-footed cross into the penalty spot. Beating his defender with pace, Solans got to the ball first and finished with a left-footed shot.
NOTES FROM RSL 3 : 0 NE
- Sergi Solans scored his first goal in seven MLS matches (since August 19 against FC Dallas), extending his lead atop the Club’s Golden Boot race with 11 goals. He became the sixth MLS SuperDraft pick in history to score double-digit goals in his rookie season.
- Homegrown Aiden Hezarkhani snapped RSL’s 287-minute scoreless run with his goal - his third of the season, but first since March 7 at Atlanta - in the third minute.
- When scoring first during the five-year Mastroeni era, RSL is now 57-12-22 (W-L-T) since August, 2021.
- Solans is six goals away from breaking RSL’s single-season scoring record - Álvaro Saborío (2012) and Christian “Chicho” Arango (2024) are tied at 17 - with seven regular-season matches remaining.
- Real Salt Lake snapped a 13-game winless streak in MLS play, winning for the first time since May 16 (2-1 v Colorado).
- The Claret-and-Cobalt secured its first defensive shutout since August 11 vs FC Juarez and first MLS clean sheet since May 13 vs Houston Dynamo.
- Canadian World Cup DF Luc de Fougerolles has received his P-1 visa, and will be eligible for selection when RSL resumes MLS play on Oct. 10 at Philadelphia following the current FIFA international window. RSL still awaits the P-1 visa approval for 19-year-old Serbian winger Dašan Žagar, signed on Sept. 2 at the close of the summer transfer window.
LINEUPS:
Real Salt Lake (5-4-1): Rafael Cabral ©; Dominik Marczuk, DeAndre Yedlin, Philip Quinton, Kobi Henry, Sam Junqua; Aiden Hezarkhani (Colin Guske, 75’), Morgan Guilavogui (Jason Shokalook, 89’), Stijn Spierings, Noel Caliskan; Sergi Solans (Lineker Rodrigues, 86’)
Subs not used: Mason Stajduhar, Max Kerkvliet, Emeka Eneli, Taylor Booth, Liam O’Gara, Linkon Ream
Head Coach: Pablo Mastroeni
New England Revolution (4-3-3): Matt Turner; Will Sands, Mamadou Fofana, Josh Wynder (Javaun Mussenden, 68’), Matthew Polster (Marcos Zambrano, 86’); Ethan Kohler, Carles Gil © (Diego Fagundez, 86’), Jackson Yueill; Luca Langoni (Cody Baker, 57’), Wilson Harris (Griffin Yow, 57’), Daniel Gazdag
Subs not used: Donovan Parisian, Tanner Beason, Tylon Smith, Makai Wells,
Head Coach: Marko Mitrović
Stats Summary: RSL / NE
Shots: 9 / 14
Shots on Goal: 6 / 4
Saves: 4 / 3
Corner Kicks: 1 / 11
Fouls: 8 / 14
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
NE: Carles Gil (Yellow Card - 46’)
RSL: Morgan Guilavogui (Yellow Card - 46’)
NE: Josh Wynder (Yellow Card - 61’)
RSL: Rafael Cabral (Yellow Card - 75’)
RSL Next Match: 10/14 @ 7:30 PM | Hispanic Heritage Night
RSL takes on San Jose at home on Hispanic Heritage Night! Secure your seats for an unforgettable match at America First Field
