Real Salt Lake extends winning streak with late Stijn Spierings goal in 2-1 win over Austin
Match overview
Real Salt Lake continued its early-season momentum on Saturday, March 14, 2026, defeating Austin FC 2-1 at America First Field in Sandy, Utah. The result pushed Real Salt Lake to 3-1-0 (nine points) and handed Austin a 1-2-1 record (four points) after four matchdays.
The decisive moment arrived late, when midfielder Stijn Spierings—making his MLS and club debut—scored the game-winning goal in the 89th minute. Austin had taken the lead in the first half, but an own goal leveled the match before Spierings’ strike settled it.
How the goals were scored
Austin opened the scoring in the 18th minute from a set-piece sequence that ended with defender Jon Bell heading in a cross delivered by Facundo Torres. Real Salt Lake responded seven minutes later when a driven cross into the area forced defender Oleksandr Svatok into a clearance that deflected into his own net, tying the match at 1-1.
After a second half without goals for long stretches, Spierings made an immediate impact off the bench. He entered in the 83rd minute and, after receiving a pass from defender Justen Glad outside the penalty area, turned and struck a low shot into the left side of the goal in the 89th minute for his first MLS goal.
Lineups, debuts, and late-game changes
Real Salt Lake made one change from its previous match, inserting homegrown midfielder Griffin Dillon for his first home MLS appearance. The starting group included four academy products, including defender Justen Glad, plus 18-year-old attackers Zavier Gozo and Aiden Hezarkhani, and 17-year-old defender Luca Moisa.
In the 70th minute, Real Salt Lake introduced Diego Luna and Victor Olatunji, both making their 2026 season debuts after missing the opening three matchdays due to injury. Spierings followed as an 81st-minute substitution and scored shortly thereafter, becoming one of a small group of Real Salt Lake players to score in their club debut.
Key numbers
- Final score: Real Salt Lake 2, Austin FC 1
- Attendance: 20,571
- Shots: Real Salt Lake 10, Austin 8
- Shots on goal: 4-4
- Corner kicks: Real Salt Lake 7, Austin 4
- Saves: Real Salt Lake 9, Austin 4
What the result means next
The win marked Real Salt Lake’s third consecutive victory to open the season’s first month, an important early boost after a 3-2 road win the week prior. Austin, which had led on the road, left Utah without points despite scoring first and holding Real Salt Lake level deep into the second half.
Real Salt Lake’s late winner turned a match defined by set-piece events and substitutions into its third straight victory of the 2026 campaign.
Real Salt Lake’s next scheduled match is a road trip to face San Diego FC at Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday, with kickoff listed at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time.