THE VERDE REWIND: REAL SALT LAKE
The Result: Real Salt Lake 2-1 Austin FC
Stijn Spierings scored the match winner in the 88th minute, and Austin FC (1-1-2) lost its second consecutive road match, falling 2-1 to Real Salt Lake (3-0-1) in Sandy, Utah. The Midfielder took a pass from Justen Glad and made a quick turn into open space with plenty of time to pick a shot, beating Austin Goalkeeper Brad Stuver with a low, well-placed attempt from outside the box. For a while, it looked like Austin could steal a point (or even three) in a match where both teams struggled to finish chances and were inconsistent defensively. However, Austin’s second result-changing late goal in 2026 sentenced the Verde and Black to defeat.
Austin FC defender Jon Bell. Photo Courtesy of Aaron Caldwell.
How It Happened
Spierings’ goal off a play in the midfield exploited one of Austin’s biggest challenges, playing without Dani Pereira after he suffered a pulled hamstring on the turf in Charlotte. Young Argentine Nico Dubersarsky got the start and had a reasonably solid match. But ultimately, Austin lacked the personnel to control the midfield, which allowed RSL to dictate play for significant stretches of the match. Austin struggled to sustain an attack in the final minutes, cementing the loss. RSL’s home altitude of 4330’ compounded the challenges from an injury and suspension-shortened roster. Short-term call-up Jorge Alastuey of Austin FC II entered the match in the 59th minute. Besard Sabovic (for Dubersarsky) and Mateja Djordjevic (for Bell) both came on at 70’.
Stuver was fantastic in goal for much of the match, with seven saves and no goals allowed to RSL players until Spierings broke the deadlock. Austin FC struggled to contain RSL in the midfield, leading to numerous opportunities for the hosts throughout the match, including 15 shot attempts inside the penalty area. Joseph Rosales (playing at Fullback) had a golden opportunity to put Austin ahead in the 62nd minute, but his shot from the left side of the box clanged off the far post. It would be Austin’s last big chance of the night.
How it Started, Analysis, and What’s Next
The match began at a steady pace with little major action. That was, until Austin took the lead in the 18th minute when Center-back John Bell headed a brilliant deep free kick from Forward Facundo Torres into the net. It was Torres’ second assist of the season. Austin squandered the lead shortly after when Oleksandr Svatok’s late attempt to clear an RSL cross sent the ball into Austin’s net for an own goal in the 24th minute. Austin FC Goalkeeper Brad Stuver helped keep things even for the rest of the half with four difficult saves, including a leap to deflect a point-blank top-shelf attempt by RSL’s Morgan Guilavogui near the end of the half.
Austin had its own chances in the 43rd minute when Center-Forward Myrto Uzuni’s close attempt was stopped by Salt Lake Goalkeeper Rafael Cabral, who then made a tougher save on Torres’ rebound attempt from the top of the box.
Austin FC starting XI vs. Real Salt Lake. Photo courtesy of Austin FC official Instagram.
Austin FC had 40% possession on the night, with 10 shots (3 on target) and 0.58 xG (via FotMob). RSL took 23 shots with 8 on target and 1.72 xG. An area where Austin perhaps missed the suspended Guilherme Biro (Red Card) the most may have been aerial duels, a category where RSL doubled up Austin 20-10. Uzuni’s lack of involvement in offensive production continues to be a concern. The DP striker and Austin’s club record signing has one goal, two shots on target (four attempts), and a total of eight touches in the opposition box in 345 minutes this season, and has now failed to score in four straight matches.
The win was RSL’s third straight and third in four matches this season. Austin FC dropped to 1-1-2 and is sitting 12th in the West at press time. The schedule gets tougher for Austin as they return to Q2 Stadium to host Son Heung-min, Denis Bouanga, and LAFC Saturday evening, before travelling to play the first-ever match at Miami Freedom Park against Inter Miami on April 4.
Written by Jordan Stewart for WAATV
