February 28, 2026; Sandy, Utah, USA; Real Salt Lake forward Aiden Hezarkhani (39) controls the ball in the first half against the Seattle Sounders at America’s First Field. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images Youngsters Aiden Hezarkhani and Ariath Piol scored, veteran goalkeeper Rafael Cabral made eight saves, and Real Salt Lake won its home opener 2-1 over the Seattle Sounders on Saturday night in Sandy, Utah.
Cabral’s final save was probably his biggest. He blocked Snyder Brunell’s volley from about eight yards out in the ninth of 10 minutes of added time in the second half.
Real Salt Lake improved to 14-1-4 at home against Seattle, with its only loss coming in 2011.
Christian Roldan scored for the Sounders (1-1-0, three points) in the opener of a five-game road trip.
After several close misses by the Sounders early in the first half, RSL (1-1-0, 3 points) opened the scoring in the 23rd.
Zavier Gozo dribbled between three Seattle defenders before attempting a pass to the top of the 18-yard box. It fell to Hassani Dotson, but the ball fell to Luca Moisa, who fired a pass into the top left corner of the area to Juan Manuel Sanabria, making his MLS debut. Sanabria sent a cross to Hezarkhani on the right wing and his left-footed half-volley flew into the top corner of the goal, making it impossible for goalkeeper Andrew Thomas to miss the opportunity.
RSL doubled their advantage in the 47th minute when Philip Quinton sent a long ball home to Gozo from the right wing. He dribbled into the penalty area and sent a low pass to Piol for a tap-in from five yards out.
The Sounders made it 2-1 in the 62nd minute when Rusnak’s left wing corner was sent to the near post and Roldan sent a subtle header the other side of the goal.
Seattle looked to have tied the game in the 77th minute when substitute Danny Musovski volleyed in a Paul Rothrock cross, but Rothrock was ruled out for offside when he received a pass.
After receiving a free kick on Seattle’s left wing, Cabral made a save when Yeymar Gomez Andrade’s header missed the goal line in the 8th minute of the first half.
In the 14th, Cabral leapt to place Rusnak’s 35-yard free kick into the top left corner of the net. Cabral crashed into a post and required medical attention but was able to continue.
And on the 20th, Cabral came off his line to grab a Rusnak header from broken play after a cross was deflected.
Cabral once again frustrated former RSL standout Rusnak in the 61st minute, sending a free-kick over the crossbar.
–Field level media
