Fresh high school graduate Zavier Gozo nets first Real Salt Lake goal in 3–2 loss to Whitecaps

Real Salt Lake's teenage prospect Zavier Gozo made a dream beginning to his MLS goal-scoring career with a breathtaking strike in the first minute, but it was not enough to prevent Real Salt Lake from suffering a 2-3 defeat at America First Field against Western Conference pace-setters Vancouver Whitecaps.The game was another gritty performance for RSL, as they remain winless in five successive league matches.Zavier Gozo's moment of brilliance arrived just 50 seconds into the match—the seventh-quickest goal in club history—as the Utah native became the third-youngest scorer in Real Salt Lake history. His clinical header was preceded by a rapid-fire strike from Diego Luna, who extended his red-hot streak to eight goals on the season. But even after a record-breaking beginning, RSL could not maintain their early advantage and suffered three consecutive unanswered goals, including a 90th-minute game-winner. 18-year-old Zavier Gozo presented Real Salt Lake with an all-dream beginning by thumping home a low shot within a minute after an artful pass from Diego Luna. Three minutes later, Luna profited from a blunder by the goalkeeper to double the lead with a forceful half-volley, becoming the club's top scorer this year. But the celebration was brief in the stands at the America First Field. Vancouver was equalized with a 20th-minute penalty header from captain Brian White and another equalizer five minutes later from the same spot, but this time, after a VAR review, when William Agada was found to have committed a handball in the box, the penalty was converted by White. Despite chances on both sides in the second half, Pedro Vite sealed the win for Vancouver in the 90th minute with a curling left-footed shot from the edge of the box, stunning the RSL faithful and leaving head coach Pablo Mastroeni and his players with nothing once more. The loss leaves Real Salt Lake mired at 12th in the Western Conference with a 4-9-2 record. The club now has nine losses in 15 games and has not won since a 3-1 road win over San Diego on April 26. Also read: Real Salt Lake vs Vancouver: Whitecaps look to regain form ahead of key MLS stretchRSL will look to end their losing streak in a midweek affair on Wednesday, May 28, against Austin FC at Q2 Stadium, and then another road game on Saturday, June 1, against the LA Galaxy. As pressure mounts and their form dips, these coming games could be make-or-break for salvaging the season.