By: Avery Romney
Sunday, Mar 8, 2026 - The Claret-and-Cobalt extended its winning streak out east in Atlanta on Saturday, with a high-scoring first half. Historic goals from rookie Sergi Solans and homegrown teenagers Aiden Hezarkhani and Zavier Gozo made for a fast-paced start. With momentum from its first victory of the season last week at home, RSL added fuel to the fire with its first road win of the 2026 campaign.
Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni continues to showcase the young talent at the Club, with starting minutes for a third consecutive match for Gozo, Hezarkhani and 17-year-old MF Luca Moisa, as well as a MLS and RSL debut from 22-year-old midfielder Griffin Dillon. With Atlanta leading the game in possession and shots on goal, RSL capitalized on decisive attacking moments to take and maintain the lead throughout.
RSL’s three-goal first half marked its first since April 20, 2024 at Chicago in an eventual 4-0 win, with the 20-minute span that produced the Club’s first three-goal half overall since a home match on July 6, 2024, also against Atlanta.
Solans, Hezharkani, and Gozo: RSL’s Young Stars Find the Net
Young talent continues to be the theme of the 2026 season, as three of RSL’s youngest players secured the victory over Atlanta United before nearly 54,000 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Starting off strong with an MLS and RSL debut goal for the 23-year-old Spanish rookie, Solans rewarded his side with the lead in the 24th minute in his first start of the season. After an impressive pass through the center of the pitch from Morgan Guilavogui, Solans inched himself one touch closer to the goal before delivering a powerful ball to the bottom right corner past Atlanta GK Lucas Hoyos. This goal will surely be the first of many for the striker as his career with the Claret-and-Cobalt continues.
Hezarkhani found the back of the net just three minutes later, scoring in back-to-back matches for RSL. The play began as DF Lukas Engel made a strategic pass to Solans at the top of the box, who then flicked it up to Hezarkhani. With a clean chest trap, he gained control and set himself up for a scoring opportunity with a touch wide of Atlanta defender Enea Mihaj. Hezarkhani brought the score to 2-0 with a beautiful strike that touched the net in the very top left corner, giving his team an enhanced advantage. With his debut goal in last Saturday’s home opener, the away goal further proves the talent and ability of the 18 year-old California native.
In the final minutes of the first half, defender Philip Quinton launched a long ball over the top that dropped to Gozo’s feet, who controlled tempo and attacked fluidly to create the third and final RSL goal of the game, which ultimately proved to be the game-winner. The left-footed, cutback strike soared past Atlanta’s keeper from just within the 18, hitting the left inside netting and bringing the score 3-1. This marks Gozo’s first goal of the 2026 season and his fifth for the club, one week after creating the game-winning assist against Seattle.
Morgan Guilavogui: An Attacking Powerhouse
In his first time included in the starting XI, recently-acquired Designated Player Guilavogui made his name known with an unforgettable attacking force throughout his 99 minutes on the pitch. In the 24th minute, the French-born forward made an impressive, incisive pass up the field to Solans, who tactfully beat the last defender and went in alone on Atlanta’s keeper, scoring his first professional goal. This marked Guilavogui’s debut assist, a telling tribute to the glut of scoring opportunities he has created in just two matches thus far in the 2026 season, including a similar chance in RSL’s last game against Seattle, where Solans’ shot from Guilavogui veered across the face of goal. Saturday’s first goal was initiated by an Atlanta turnover in which Guilavogui capitalized, dribbling past Atlanta’s defending mid-line and sending a through-ball to an eager and streaking Solans, ready to find the net in the final third.
Looking Ahead
The focus now turns back to America First Field and the matter of protecting it against its next threat: Austin FC. Riding the momentum from back-to-back wins - something accomplished just three times last year - RSL will now look to defend its home turf and put the attacking ability of its players to the test yet again. The Texas team will face the Claret-and-Cobalt this Sat., Mar 14, 2026 at 7:30 PM MT. Tickets and match information can be found here.
