RSL Wins Third Consecutive Match with Late 2-1 Decision over Austin

Published on March 14, 2026 under MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Real Monarchs News Release

Sandy, UT – Real Salt Lake (3-1-0, 9 points, 5th West) earned a late-arriving 2-1 victory against visiting Austin FC (1-2-1, 4 points, 12th West), securing its third consecutive win of the season courtesy of a game-winning goal by newcomer Stijn Spierings, who made his MLS and America First Field debut before 20,571.

The Spierings goal after just seven minutes on the field marked the quickest span for a debutant in RSL’s 22-year history, with the Dutch midfielder becoming the sixth all-time RSL player – of 240 to have played an MLS minute – to find the back of the net in their Claret-and-Cobalt debut. Former RSL striker Cristian Arango scored 23 minutes into his first-ever match on July 4, 2023, at home in a 4-0 win over Orlando.

RSL Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni made just one change from last week’s 3-2 road win at Atlanta to the starting lineup for tonight’s home return, bringing Utah native and yet another homegrown MF Griffin Dillon into the XI for his first-ever home MLS appearance. Dillon was one of four Academy products in the starting group, with veteran DF Justen Glad starting for the fourth consecutive week, alongside 18-year-old standouts Zavier Gozo and Aiden Hezarkhani.

The visitors got off to a hot start, heading home a set piece offering in the 18th minute, as Austin DF Jon Bell snuck a cross from Facundo Torres just inside the far post past RSL GK and Captain Rafa Cabral.

As the Claret-and-Cobalt continued to push, it thwarted several attacks from Austin FC before a wicked cross from MF Noel Caliskan slammed off an Austin defender for the own-goal equalizer.

After no changes at the break, Mastroeni inserted both Diego Luna (knee) and Victor Olatunji (eye) in the 70th minute, the duo making their 2026 debuts after missing the first three matchdays due to injury.

In the 81st minute, Mastroeni turned to Dutch acquisition Stijn Spierings, the Club’s eighth 2026 debutant. After just four touches in seven minutes, Spierings took a ball from Justen Glad 25 yards out and turned and shot without looking, burying the game-winner inside the left post for his first-ever MLS goal.

Real Salt Lake hits the road next Sunday to face San Diego FC at Snapdragon Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 5:00 p.m. MT as RSL looks to continue building momentum early in the season and earn a fourth consecutive victory. Tickets for RSL’s next home match, on Saturday, April 4…