By: Avery Romney
After defending home turf in a thrilling 2-1 victory over Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, Real Salt Lake now turns its attention eastward. The Claret-and-Cobalt travel to face Atlanta United FC this Saturday, March 7, in its second road test of the 2026 MLS season.
Momentum can be fragile in the early weeks of a season, but RSL’s home opener offered more than a victory—it showcased a young team growing in confidence and cohesion. Under Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni, the squad is beginning to find rhythm and chemistry, which will again be put to the test inside the electric atmosphere of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Building Momentum: Historic Goals and Season Debuts in the Home Opener
The Claret-and-Cobalt came out victorious at America First Field, laying an early foundation for what the club expects will be an incredibly-competitive competitive 2026 campaign. Mastroeni once again entrusted several young players with meaningful minutes, and that faith was rewarded.
Breakaway chances from rookie Sergi Solans and debutant Designated Player Morgan Guilavogui injected pace into the attack and forced Seattle’s back line to scramble. Though not every opportunity found the net, the aggression and confidence in transition signaled growth from RSL, determined to improve its final-third efficiency.
Goals from 18-year-old homegrown Aiden Hezarkhani and second-year man Ari Piol ultimately sealed the result, their movement and attacking cohesion serving as proof of the Club’s evolving offensive identity. Hezarkhani’s goal marked the first of his MLS and RSL career—a milestone moment for the young Academy product—while Piol tallied his second-ever goal for the Utah side, his last coming against San Diego in March, 2025.
Road Challenge: Returning to Atlanta
Saturday marks RSL’s return to Atlanta for the first time since a narrow one-goal loss in 2022, a matchup that highlighted just how competitive these interconference meetings can be, despite their infrequency.
Atlanta United enters the weekend still searching for its first win of the season after dropping matches away to FC Cincinnati and the San Jose Earthquakes. The “Five Stripes” have leaned on a mix of experienced MLS talent and emerging contributors, but early-season inconsistency has left them eager to meet expectations in front of a raucous home crowd.
Adding yet another layer of tension to this rivalry is Atlanta’s recent development with youth integration. Homegrown midfielder Cooper Sanchez made Atlanta club history as the youngest player to start a season opener, underscoring a continued emphasis on building from within—a thread that creates a compelling contrast with RSL’s own rising core, with players like Zavier Gozo, Luca Moisa and Hezarkhani.
In the teams’ most recent matchup back in 2024, RSL delivered a commanding 5-2 victory in Sandy, while Atlanta claimed a 2-1 win back in 2022 in Georgia. Those results reflect how quickly the narrative can shift, adding texture to this week’s clash.
Stadium Spotlight
Opened in 2017, Mercedes-Benz Stadium seats approximately 42,500 and has become one of MLS’s most recognizable venues, with expanded capacity expected this weekend for the 2026 opener. The downtown Atlanta stadium is also set to play a role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when it will temporarily operate under the name “Atlanta Stadium.” Due to this summer’s World Cup, grass has been laid over the artificial surface for the spring, starting with Saturday’s RSL visit.
Proving Ground in Atlanta
The grass switch could be beneficial for RSL, however, as historically road matches on artificial turf have posed a challenge in RSL’s 22-year history. Since 2021 under Pablo Mastroeni, RSL holds a 6-11-3 all-time record on turf against all competitions during his tenure, having been outscored 33-21 in those contests. The Club’s last victory on plastic came on July 16, 2025, a 1-0 result at Portland sparked by an Ari Piol game-winning assist.
Atlanta, still in search of its first result, will look to steady its season on its home turf. For RSL, the objective is straightforward: build on the opening performance and deliver it again away from home. If the attacking rhythm shown last weekend carries over, the Claret-and-Cobalt has a clear opportunity to secure the win in this crucial road match.
Kickoff is set for Saturday evening at 5:30 PM MT. The following week, RSL will face Austin FC on Sat., March 14 at America First Field. Tickets and information can be found here.
