Real Salt Lake

Location: Sandy, Utah
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Coach: Pablo Mastroeni
MLS Titles: 1

Current Squad / Roster

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Attackers

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Attackers

Team History

Real Salt Lake was founded as an MLS franchise in 2004 by SCP Worldwide, led by Dave Checketts. The first player in Real Salt Lake history would be the most critical soccer figure in the Franchise’s history. Jason Kreis was traded by the Dallas Burn to Real Salt Lake, making him the first player in franchise history. Kreis was a part of many firsts for Real Salt Lake: Kreis was the first captain, first retired number, and led the franchise to its only championship success.

A change of ownership has marked numerous historical events for Real Salt Lake and the future of soccer in Utah. Checketts sold his share of ownership to Dell Loy Hansen in 2013. Under Hansen, Real Salt Lake opened the $78 million Zion’s Bank Real Academy Training Facility for Real Salt Lake, the NWSL’s Utah City Royals, USL’s Real Monarchs, and Real Salt Lake’s Youth Academy in 2018.

Allegations of racist behaviour led to Hansen taking a leave of absence from the team and declaring his intentions to sell the team. Real Salt Lake entered the 2021 season without ownership, with MLS attempting to broker a sale. On January 5th Real Salt Lake (and all soccer amenities except for the Utah City Royals – sold separately) were sold to a group led by Philadelphia 76ers co-owner David Blitzer and Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith.

Real Salt Lake Records

As of publication, Real Salt Lake has a record of 10 wins, seven draws, and eight losses, with a -1 goal differential. Sergio Córdova leads Real Salt Lake’s stats with six goals. Zac MacMath has been Real Salt Lakes goalkeeper for the squad’s 25 games and has posted eight clean sheets. So far in 2022, Real Salt Lake’s betting stats and MLS odds have reflected the squad’s middle-of-the-pack performances and results. Here are three lists of the all-time Real Salt Lake stats leaders:

Real Salt Lake Top 5 Most Appearances Top 5 (Total across all games played for Real Salt Lake, as of August 14, 2022):

1: Nick Rimando – 369
2: Kyle Beckerman – 350
3: Chris Wingert – 247
4: Tony Beltran – 245
5: Javier Morales – 96

Real Salt Lake All-time Top 5 Goal Scorers (Total across all games played for Real Salt Lake as of August 14, 2022):

1: Álvaro Saborio – 63
2: Javier Morales – 49
3: Joao Plata – 46
4: Damir Kreilach – 43
5: Albert Rusnák – 41

Real Salt Lake All-time Top 5 Most Shutouts (Total across all games played for Real Salt Lake as of August 14, 2022):

1: Nick Rimando – 118
2: Zac MacMath – 13
3: Andrew Punta – 6
4: David Ochoa – 5
5: Jeff Attinella – 5

Championships Won

Historical Events

Since joining the MLS schedule, Real Salt Lake’s most important historical event was winning the 2009 MLS Cup. Under head coach Jason Kreis, Real Salt Lake defeated the L.A. Galaxy 5-4 on penalty kicks after the teams played to a 1-1 draw. Real Salt Lake played the best soccer in franchise history, sitting atop the MLS standings between 2009-2013, with Kreis as head coach posting a record of 74 wins, 48 losses, and 40 draws.

Kyle Beckerman set an MLS record for playing the most regular season games of any MLS outfield player in his final match with Real Salt Lake in 2020. Aside from long-time goalkeeper Nick Rimando, Beckerman leads Real Salt Lake in most games.

Championship Won by Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake has won one championship in the franchise’s history. Real Salt Lake won the 2009 MLS Cup. Aside from winning the MLS Cup, Real Salt Lake was the runner-up in the 2010 CONCACAF Champions League and the runners-up in the 2013 MLS Cup and the US Open Cup.

The following is a list of titles won by Real Salt Lake:

2009 MLS Cup
2009 & 2013 MLS Western Conference Championship

Real Salt Lake plays in the Rocky Mountain Cup against regional rival Colorado Rapids. Real Salt Lake has a 12-5 record in the Rocky Mountain Cup.

What are the Real Salt Lake 2022-23 Transfers?

Real Salt Lake has transferred Danny Musovski (F, Los Angeles FC) and Diego Luna (M, EL Paso Locomotive) to the roster for the 2022-2023 MLS schedule. Midfielder Braian Ojeda is on loan to Real Salt Lake from Nottingham Forrest.

Leaving Real Salt Lake vis transfer is David Ochoa (G, DC United), while Bret Hasley (D, Colorado Spring Switchback) and Jonathan Menéndez (F, Vélez Sarsfield) are out on loan, while Sergio Córdova is returning from loan to FC Augsburg.

Defender Chris Kablan returned to Real Salt Lake from a loan to SK Beveren. Kabal has been loaned again to SK Beveren for a second season.

Who are the Real Salt Lake Best Coaches?

Current Real Salt Lake head coach Pablo Masteroni has twenty games as head coach and will need years of continued success to surpass a Real Salt Lake legend as the squad’s best coach. Masteroni is one of four coaches in Real Salt Lake history with a winning percentage over 50%, ranking third all-time with a 52.5% winning percentage, slightly behind Freddy Juarez (53.6%), whom he replaced in August 2021.

Real Salt Lake’s best coach was the squad’s first captain and the franchise’s first retired number, Jason Kreis. Kreis played for Real Salt Lake from 2005-2007, retiring and replacing inaugural head coach John Ellinger in May 2007. As Real Salt Lake head coach, Kreis led the squad to 112 wins, 85 losses, 64 draws (55.2% winning percentage) and Real Salt Lake’s 2009 MLS Cup Championship.