MLS Preview: Real Salt Lake

In partnership with

Hooligan Soccer

·15 febbraio 2025

MLS Preview: Real Salt Lake

Club History

With their debut season in 2005, Real Salt Lake became the twelfth franchise in the MLS and the league’s second expansion team. It was not an easy start. In their first three seasons they posted 21 wins, 23 draws, 50 losses and did not qualify for the playoffs. All this occurred despite the 2006 Golden Boot winner Jeff Cunningham playing up front. In 2008 they finally had their first non-losing season (10 each in wins, draws, losses). Then in 2009, despite entering the postseason as the last seed, RSL improbably won the MLS Cup.

The next five seasons saw RSL become one of the power clubs in the West, never finishing worse than 3rd and winning at least 15 games a season. They reached another MLS Cup final in 2013, losing to Sporting Kansas City 7-6 in penalties after a 1-1 draw. They also were runners-up in the U.S. Open Cup that same year, falling to D.C. United 1-0 in their home stadium.

OneFootball Video

From 2015 through 2023 RSL bounced between barely making the playoffs and languishing towards the bottom of the standings. While they have failed to reach their previous highs, they have also avoided sinking to their previous lows.

Ownership

SCP Worldwide, led by Dave Checketts, received the expansion award back in 2004. In 2013, Checketts sold his majority share to Dell Loy Hansen, Utah native and owner of the Wasatch Group. Under his watch the club established a number of associated teams and expanded the youth academy with a full residential program. However, investigative reporting in 2020 revealed Hansen’s past use of racist language and forced him to put his stake up for sale. In early 2022 it was announced that the Smith Entertainment Group (owners of the NBA Utah Jazz) and David Blitzer (owns stakes in franchises across five different sports) took over control of the club.

Significant Players

Javier Morales (Argentina) – Midfielder Played 10 years at the club (2007-2016). All-time leader in assists (81); 2nd all-time leader in goals (49)
Álvaro Saborío (Costa Rica) – Forward All-time goal leader (63) from 127 appearances.
Nick Rimando (United States) – Goalkeeper MLS (and RLC) record holder for career wins, clean sheets, saves and appearances. Played in 7 MLS All-star games.
Kyle Beckerman (United States) – Midfielder Played 14 of his 21 seasons with RLC. Has 30 goals (10th all-time), 39 assists (3rd all-time) and 350 appearances (2nd all-time). Played in 8 MLS All-star games.

Other Facts

Have never finished first in the Western Conference; they’ve finished last twice (2006 & 2007).
Initial reactions to using “Real” were mixed and somewhat negative, but the fanbase has since warmed to it.
Hold the MLS record for longest winless streak: 18 games between 2005-2006.
Have a sister club in the NWSL, the Utah Royals FC, and a reserve team, the Real Monarchs, that plays in the MLS Next Pro league (3rd tier).
The club’s Zion’s Bank Real Academy in Herriman, UT (opened in 2018) offers year-round indoor training facilities for the club and all its affiliates.
They compete in an annual derby with the Colorado Rapids for the Rocky Mountain Cup, but also have a fierce rivalry with Sporting Kansas City.

2024 Season Recap

16W – 11D – 7L for 59 points. Finished 3rd in the Western Conference. 6th overall.
Were eliminated in the first round by Minnesota United, losing both legs in PKs.

Who to Watch 2025

Parted ways with 12 players immediately after the 2024 season. Have subsequently transferred or loaned out another five. Four homegrown contracts were signed during the offseason; another eight players brought in. With a pile of GAM cash on hand (reportedly in the ~$8M range) and an open DP slot, look for them to make a play for a proven goal scorer.

Diogo Gonçalves (Portugal) – Midfielder A midseason transfer in 2024 who only played 9 games. As the sole DP, folks will expect him to step up this year.
Dominik Marczuk (Poland) – Forward Another midseason transfer with high expectations after his 8 games in 2024.
Tyler Wolff (United States) – Winger A recent transfer from Atlanta United with pace on the right.