Real Salt Lake suffered its third loss across two competitions in five games this season - and its second in MLS - at the hands of expansion side San Diego FC on March 8 at America First Field. The 3-1 scoreline belied the 90+ min a bit, when considering RSL’s capitulation in second-half stoppage time after wasting a plethora of chances throughout the match.
The early stages saw the home side celebrate a lead in the 17th minute as beautiful ball movement between young stars Diego Luna and Dominik Marczuk opened space for Australian newcomer Ariath Piol to bury his first MLS goal for RSL. The team’s lack of efficiency at home would end up undermining efforts, however, as the visitors equalized late in the first half with Argentine defender Franco Negri splitting the centerbacks and heading the ball past a diving Rafael Cabral.
The second half told a completely different story. Each team enjoyed goal-scoring opportunities but it wasn’t until added time that San Diego’s Anders Dryer and substitute Marcus Ingvartsen, were able to put two goals past the Brazilian goalkeeper, stealing 3 points with a crucial road win in the first head-to-head matchup between these two clubs.
An unlikely result for the Claret-and-Cobalt due to RSL’s home fortress dominance and expansion-built visitors, but yet another example - a la the Feb. 26 home loss against Herediano in the CONCACAF Champions Cup - of what can happen when a team fails to take advantage of the chances presented.
Nevertheless, one RSL player showed glimpses of what may come in the near future, the young 20-year old striker, Ari Piol. In this player spotlight, we’ll take a further look into the forward’s best performance for the club.
Ari Piol Finds His First Goal in an RSL Uniform
The young player netted his first goal since joining the club in January of this year in what will surely be a moment he will never forget. Unfortunately for the team though, RSL suffered its first home loss of the MLS season.
The thirst for goal was evident as Piol was exceedingly active in the first half, offering himself for link-up play and making crucial runs in between rival defenders. His first chance would come at the 13th minute, when Diogo Gonçalves placed a beautiful in-swinging, outside-footed ball into the path of the Australian number nine, allowing him to beat the rushing San Diego goalkeeper one-on-one with a burst of speed but unable to score as he hit the right goal post. The ref quickly annulled the play, however, due to an offside position.
Only four minutes later, at the 17th minute mark, Ari would make his official striker’s debut with RSL. A perfectly-weighted assist by Dominik Marczuk, coupled with Ari’s instinct for goal in the 18-yard box, combined to give RSL the lead with the attacker’s first-ever MLS goal in his second consecutive start.
RSL’s only goal of the match was meticulously orchestrated as nearly the entirety of the team touched the ball in a 20-pass buildup, the payoff coming when 2024 MLS Young Player of the Year Diego Luna delivered a gorgeous, field-switching ball. On the right wing, Dominik Marczuk controlled the ball with his chest just outside the corner of the San Diego box, making a swift run towards the semi-circle before finding Ari in an onside position, putting him in on goal. Piol calmly put it past the keeper and hit the left side of the net and embraced his teammates in the celebration.
Just as they drew it up.
In the 70 minutes that Ari was on the pitch, he totaled 3 shots and boasted a 100% in passing percentage accuracy, including 8 total passes. He was replaced by Ghanaian forward Forster Ajago for the final 20+ minutes, a pattern similar to what RSL employed a week ago in the 2-0 home win vs. Seattle.
Such performances are what Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni and his staff saw in the young talent when scouting him during his time with Macarthur FC in the Australian A-League. During his time there, the 20-year old scored 5 goals and had 1 assist in 11 appearances for the club.
Now, Ari Piol is ready to etch his name in the history books of Real Salt Lake amongst those who bleed for the Claret-and-Cobalt.
Could his emergence perhaps signal the beginning of a new era in Sandy, Utah? We will find out as the 2025 slate unfolds, RSL now heading off to Houston, Texas, for Saturday’s tilt against the Dynamo - watch live at 6:30p MT on Apple TV+ / MLS Season Pass.
