Another week, another showcase of Real Salt Lake's youth movement as they topped Sporting Kansas City, 3-1, at America First Field on Saturday.
In a year where young stars have defined RSL's early-season success, their Matchday 6 victory was no different.
On Saturday, US men's national team midfielder Diego Luna and breakout USYNT talent Zavier Gozo were the catalysts who sparked Salt Lake's fourth win of the season through six matches.
A star returns
Working his way back from injury, Luna, who had a prolific 2025 campaign with 9g/7a, wasted little time opening his account in his first start of the season.
He kicked off the scoring in the fourth minute with a low-driven strike from outside the box, his first RSL goal in 203 days.
With just two months until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off, Luna is battling for a place on the USMNT squad. Last month, Luna was left off head coach Mauricio Pochettino's roster with an injury, but a strong return to MLS play could well book his place on the World Cup squad in June.
"It was always going to be tough starting your first game, especially with the weight of expectations, not only for us here at the club, but also for the national team," Real Salt Lake coach Pablo Mastroeni said.Â
"I don't think anyone, unless you've lived it, understands how heavy that is. To be able to perform and score that goal, I think took a lot of pressure off him. "
New kid on the block
Also getting in on the fun was Gozo, the 19-year-old US youth international wingback who added 1g/2a, further cementing himself as a must-start in Pablo Mastroeni's XI during his continued rise to MLS stardom.
Gozo assisted on both of RSL's first two goals before slamming the door shut with a spectacular golazo to close out the match.
His three goal contributions upped his season total to 2g/3a through six matches and built a strong case for his second Team of the Matchday selection of the new year.
"Gozo, credit to him, he's been working on his game and I think it shows in these moments where it's almost instinctual now. He's not overthinking anything," Mastroeni said.Â
"That's what young players don't do, they don't overthink anything, they just go. And Aiden [Hezarkhani]'s the same way, and Luca Moisa and the whole cast of youngers that we have, they're doing a fantastic job."
Western Conference charge
Don't look now, but RSL have quietly climbed to fourth place in the West (13 points; 4W-1L-1D).Â
Despite a plethora of injuries and other obstacles that have kept them from fielding their best XI, the Claret and Cobalt have continued to grind out results and look to be one of the most formidable teams in the West through the early going.
