The Seattle Sounders fell 2-1 to Real Salt Lake on Saturday night at America First Field in Sandy, Utah. Aiden Hezarkhani and Ariath Piol scored for the hosts, while Cristian Roldan got on the score sheet for the Sounders.
Seattle nearly opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Yeimar’s header seemed destined for goal, but a diving save from Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Rafael Cabral denied the Sounders center back.
RSL took the lead in the 23rd minute against the run of play when new acquisition Juan Manuel Sanabria clipped a cross to the back post for the 18-year-old Hezarkhani, who hammered home a one-timed effort with his left foot that beat Sounders goalkeeper Andrew Thomas high.
RSL doubled its advantage two minutes after halftime when Philip Quinton played a booming ball over the top into the channel for Zavier Gozo to run onto, and the fellow 18-year-old played a simple square ball across the front of goal for Piol, who redirected into the net.
Former RSL Designated Player Albert Rusnák nearly pulled one back on a free kick in the 61st minute when his attempt from the left side of the box forced Cabral into another acrobatic save.
Seattle halved the deficit just one minute later when Rusnák’s corner found the head of Roldan, who did well to flick his header into the net at the back post.
Paul Rothrock had an opportunity in the 74th minute when he cut inside at the top of the box, but his effort was right at Cabral.
The Sounders caught a break one minute later when new Designated Player Morgan Guilavogui played in Sergi Solans, but his shot from the left side just skipped past the far post.
Danny Musovski looked to have equalized in the 77th minute after finishing a volley from six yards out on a cross from Rothrock, but the goal was nullified after Rothrock was deemed to be offside in the buildup.
Musovski had another great chance in the 84th minute when Roldan played a beautiful through ball into his path, but Musovski’s eventual effort was denied by Cabral again.
Thomas came up with a massive save in the 87th minute to keep the Sounders in the match when he denied a breakaway from Guilavogui.
Charlotte FC loanee Nikola Petković came on for a cameo in the 90th minute to make his club debut.
Gozo ripped a curling effort in the seventh minute of stoppage time looking for the far post, but his attempt just missed wide.
Sounders teenager Snyder Brunell almost found a miraculous leveler in the ninth minute of stoppage time when he unleashed a volley from 12 yards out, but it was hit right at Cabral.
The Sounders return to action next Saturday in the Midwest for a clash against St. Louis CITY SC (5:30 p.m. PT; Apple TV)
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Roldan opens 2026 account
Wearing the captain’s armband this year, the 12th-year veteran scored his 38th career MLS goal to give the Sounders a lifeline an hour into the match.
Utah Kryptonite
Saturday marked the 16th consecutive time in all competitions without a win for the Sounders on the road at RSL dating back to 2011.
Road trip begins
Saturday marked the first of six consecutive matches in all competitions away from Seattle for the Sounders, who return to Lumen Field on April 12 for a revenge match against RSL.
