Real Salt Lake stays in win column, knocks off Austin FC at home
Mar 14, 2026, 9:44 PM
(Photo courtesy of Real Salt Lake)
(Photo courtesy of Real Salt Lake)
SALT LAKE CITY — Real Salt Lake stayed hot at home against Austin FC on Saturday, picking up a 2-1 win to make it three straight victories early in the season.
After the first half came to a close with a 1-1 tie, the first 40 minutes of the second half played out to the tune of a stalemate. That was until Stijn Spierings buried a goal in the final minutes to give Real the upper hand.
RSL will hit the road to take on the undefeated San Diego FC on Sunday, March 22.
Make that three straight dubbbbssss#RSLvATX | @SelectHealth pic.twitter.com/2IUCjuvR4f
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 15, 2026
First Half
Coming off two straight wins, the momentum seemingly carried into match four for Real Salt Lake.
The first two shot attempts belonged to RSL, and they dominated the early time of possession, hounding Austin in its defensive third.
But that early pressure deflated just as quickly. In the 18th minute, Austin’s Jon Bell rose up for a header off a set piece to strike first in enemy territory.
Jon Bell rises up to tally his first for @AustinFC! ⏫
Apple TV: https://t.co/My0NdKCLBz pic.twitter.com/GdOnoZ5SY4
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 15, 2026
Real managed to answer just minutes later.
In the 24th, Noel Caliskan unleashed a left-footed rocket across the front of the goal. Whether it was intended as a pass or a shot to the back post, it was interrupted by the Austin defender, who put it in his own net to level the score at 1-1.
That scoreline would hold throughout the first half, mostly thanks to heroics from both Rafael Cabral and Brad Stuver.
The goalkeepers combined for six first-half saves, five of which came after the match’s early scores.
Wall of Cabral appreciation post 🧱 pic.twitter.com/6h005yDLKu
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 15, 2026
Through the first 45′, RSL led in time of possession, shot attempts, and shots on goal. Although the scoreboard reflected an even match, Real Salt Lake clearly had the edge between the lines heading into the break.
Second Half
Similar to the first, the second half opened with Real pushing the tempo and forcing Austin onto its heels.
After two shot attempts in the first 10 minutes, RSL turned up the heat in the 55th. They fired off four shots in a frantic three-minute span, but were repeatedly stifled by three more saves from Stuver.
As had been the case for much of the game, every Real Salt Lake advance was met with an equal counter from Austin.
Still, the energy at America First Field seemingly multiplied with every scoring chance. In the 71st minute, the noise only got louder as Diego Luna checked in for his first appearance of the MLS season.
71′ | Moon Man returns
IN: Luna
OUT: Hezarkhani1-1 | @SJ_Utah
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 15, 2026
Luna’s first look was great, and he made an immediate impact. Still, through 85 minutes, Real had yet to find the back of the net off their own foot.
It would be a different member of the claret-and-cobalt to score in their season debut. Spierings, also making his club debut, would become the late-game hero at home.
In the 88th minute, Spierings called his own number and found the bottom left corner to give Real its first lead of the match.
Yup, that’s a banger 💥
Stijn Spierings’ debut goal leads @realsaltlake! pic.twitter.com/IgRVDmy1NU
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 15, 2026
The goal shut off the water for Austin FC. Through the final 8 minutes of regulation and stoppage time, the road side basically rolled over and accepted defeat.
Much to the enjoyment of RSL, the final whistle was blown, extending the club’s win streak to three games.
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