Match review: RSL comes back to earn crucial 2-1 victory in Austin

RSL Designated Player Morgan Guilavogui (9) celebrates following his 12th minute goal. | Meagan Johnson, RSL Real Salt Lake claimed a crucial away victory in the playoff race on Wednesday night, coming back to win 2-1 against Austin FC at Q2 Stadium. The win was RSL’s third in a row, now on a four-game unbeaten streak, and was the first time the Claret-and-Cobalt have earned back to back away wins since April of 2024.

Lobjanidze and Guilavogui Complete RSL’s Critical ComebackAfter going down a goal just moments into the second half, RSL mounted a quick comeback, scoring twice in just six minutes to claim a vital win. Saba Lobjanidze scored the Claret-and-Cobalt’s opener in the 55th minute, a sensational curler that tied the game at 1-1. Since joining the club in July, Lobjanidze has become one of RSL’s most important offensive contributors, and is now up to eight goal contributions (four goals, four assists) on the year. Morgan Guilavogui, the Utah side’s designated player, completed the comeback in the 61st, putting his name on the scoresheet for the third time in three games.

>Guilavogui’s goal was assisted by Spanish forward Sergi Solans, who has had a historic rookie campaign since being selected by RSL in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft. In addition to his 14 goals (the second most by a SuperDraft pick in a debut season in MLS history), Solans has now assisted on four occasions this season, bringing him to a total of 18 MLS goal contributions in 2026.

>With a come-from-behind win for the first time since May 16 (2-1 win over Colorado), Real Salt Lake now holds the final MLS playoff spot, sitting in ninth place in the Western Conference standings with only two games remaining.

Quotable“The last 15, 20 minutes, it was just determination. I thought we could have made some better decisions in our final third, but overall, just super proud of the mentality and the way we approached the game. We created some really good opportunities, played some really good stuff, and I think we deserved the result.” — Head coach Pablo Mastroeni on his team’s performance

Game summaryThe home side started the encounter on the front foot, forcing a number of critical interventions from RSL’s defense in the opening moments. In the third minute, Claret-and-Cobalt captain Rafael Cabral made a diving save, parrying an effort from Myrto Uzuni that looked destined for the top corner. After the 10th minute, however, the visitors began to take complete control of the game, maintaining possession and creating a plethora of opportunities. RSL came closest to taking the lead in the 32nd minute, when Designated Player Guilavogui unleashed a long-distance effort that sailed past the outstretched arms of the goalkeeper and rattled off the crossbar. Nothing separated the two teams at the break, but momentum was on the side of RSL as both sides entered the locker room.

>Austin FC kicked off a chaotic second half with an impressive goal against the run of play in the 52nd minute. After dominating much of the match, the visitors were stunned by a stunning strike from Jorge Alastuey, who found the right-side netting with a shot from way outside the box.

>With playoffs on the mind and desperately needing a response, RSL found an equalizer just three minutes after. Receiving the ball near the top left of the box, Lobjanidze settled before unleashing a banger of his own, curling a right-footed shot into the top-right corner. Soon after in the 61st minute, the visitors completed a six-minute comeback as Guilavogui scored his fifth MLS goal of the season. Solans made a run into space, cutting back at the last moment and laying the ball off to Guilavogui, who finished with authority to give RSL a 2-1 lead. The visitors would hold on to earn their third-consecutive win, a crucial result for the Club’s ever-growing playoff aspirations.

Up nextWith only two regular season games remaining, Real Salt Lake will travel to face Western Conference rival the San Jose Earthquakes for the second time in less than three weeks on Saturday, Oct. 31, at PayPal Park. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. MDT, with tickets available for purchase at rsl.com.