Real Salt Lake scores after 43 seconds in win over Atlanta United

In a season rich in comeback victories, Real Salt Lake changed the script on Saturday night.

RSL scored 43 seconds into the game to beat Atlanta United 5-2 at America First Field in Sandy.

Matt Crooks opened the scoring for RSL in the first minute with assists from Braian Ojeda and Diego Luna. Ojeda made a run down the right side of the pitch and passed the ball to Luna, who sent it across the goal to Crooks, who scored from the left side.

Luna scored a goal and had three assists as RSL (12-3-7) won its second straight game after a 1-0 loss to LAFC on June 22. The loss to LAFC snapped RSL’s 15-game unbeaten streak in Major League Soccer.

The win over Atlanta moved RSL into a tie with LAFC at the top of the MLS Western Conference standings, although LAFC has played a game fewer and will face Houston on Sunday.

Atlanta’s Saba Lobjanidze scored the equalizer in the 31st minute, with assists from Daniel Rios and Bartosz Slisz.

Ojeda scored in the 59th minute to give RSL a 2-1 lead.

Chicho Arango made it 3-1 in the 68th minute with an assist from Luna.

RSL’s Alexandros Katranis made it 4-1 in the 78th minute with an assist from Luna.

Rios scored for Atlanta (6-11-6) in the 80th minute to make it 4-2.

Luna finished the scoring in the 84th minute thanks to an assist from Maikel Chang.

Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Gavin Beavers made two saves in the game, while Atlanta’s Brad Guzan made one.

RSL now faces a three-game road streak, starting next Saturday at Portland (8 p.m. MDT, Apple TV and FS1).