Real Salt Lake facts for kids
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| Nickname(s) | Claret and Cobalt | ||
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| Short name | RSL | ||
| Founded | July 14, 2004 | ||
| Stadium | America First Field Sandy, Utah |
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| Stadium capacity |
20,213 | ||
| Owners |
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| Head coach | Pablo Mastroeni | ||
| League | Major League Soccer | ||
| 2024 |
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Real Salt Lake (often called RSL) is a professional soccer team from the Salt Lake City metropolitan area in the United States. They play in Major League Soccer (MLS) as part of the Western Conference. The club started in 2004 and began playing games in 2005 as a new team joining the league.
The team plays its home games at America First Field in Sandy, Utah. This is a special stadium built just for soccer. Before moving to America First Field, RSL played at Rice-Eccles Stadium from 2005 to 2007. The current head coach for Real Salt Lake is Pablo Mastroeni.
Real Salt Lake has achieved great success in soccer. They won the 2009 MLS Cup, which is a major championship. They also finished second in the Supporters Shield in 2010. In 2013, they were runners-up in both the U.S. Open Cup and the MLS Cup. The team also made history by being the first American club to reach the finals of the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League. Their related team, Real Monarchs, won the USL Championship in 2019.
Contents
- What Does "Real" Mean in the Team Name?
- Team History: How RSL Grew
- Team Colors and Uniforms
- Home Stadium: America First Field
- Team Culture and Fan Support
- Team Finances and Sponsors
- How to Watch and Listen to Games
- Players and Staff
- Team Achievements
- Player Records
- Player Awards
- Images for kids
- See also
What Does "Real" Mean in the Team Name?
The word Real comes from the Spanish language and means "royal." Many Spanish soccer clubs have used this name since the early 1900s. They received this title from the Spanish king or queen. Famous examples include Real Madrid.
When Real Salt Lake was founded, the first owner, Dave Checketts, chose the name Real. He wanted a simple name that would be well-known. He also hoped to create a partnership with Real Madrid, a very successful Spanish club.
At first, some local fans had mixed feelings about the name. They thought it sounded a bit made-up. Some preferred names like "Highlanders" or "Salt Lake SC." However, over time, the name became very popular. By 2014, the team had built a strong identity that represented the Salt Lake community.
Team History: How RSL Grew
Starting Out: The Early Years (2005–2006)
Real Salt Lake became the 12th team in MLS on July 14, 2004. Dave Checketts led the group that brought the team to Salt Lake. Jason Kreis was the very first player for RSL, joining from another team. Other important players in the early years included Clint Mathis, Eddie Pope, and Jeff Cunningham.
RSL's first season was in 2005, with John Ellinger as head coach. Their first game was a tie against the New York MetroStars on April 2, 2005. The next week, Jason Kreis scored the team's first-ever goal. On April 16, 2005, RSL played its first home game at Rice-Eccles Stadium. They won 1–0 against the Colorado Rapids. However, the first season was tough, and the team finished with a record of 5 wins, 22 losses, and 5 ties.
In 2006, their second season, RSL struggled again. They went 18 games without a win, which was the longest winless streak in MLS history at the time. Despite some good moments from player Jeff Cunningham, the team did not make it to the playoffs. They finished with 10 wins, 13 losses, and 9 ties.
Getting Better and a New Home (2007–2008)
In 2007, Real Salt Lake had strong attacking players like Cunningham and Kreis. They also had experienced players in the middle and back, including Chris Klein and goalkeeper Nick Rimando.
After a slow start to the 2007 season, coach Ellinger was replaced by Jason Kreis, who stopped playing to become the new coach. The team began to rebuild. They finished the season with a record of 6 wins, 15 losses, and 9 ties, missing the playoffs again.
For the 2008 season, RSL added key players like Kyle Beckerman, Robbie Findley, Javier Morales, Nat Borchers, and Jamison Olave. As the team played more together, they became very strong at home. Their home advantage grew even more when the new soccer-specific stadium, Rio Tinto Stadium (now America First Field), opened in October 2008. They finished 2008 with 10 wins, 10 losses, and 10 ties. This was enough to reach the playoffs for the first time. RSL beat Chivas USA in the first round but lost to the Red Bulls in the Western Conference final.
Winning Big: MLS Cup and CONCACAF (2009–2012)
In the 2009 MLS season, RSL was almost unbeatable at home. They had 9 wins, 1 loss, and 5 ties at Rio Tinto Stadium. They struggled more in away games. In the last games of the season, RSL fought hard to get into the MLS playoffs. They won their final game against Colorado and secured the last playoff spot, even with a losing record overall (11 wins, 12 losses, 7 ties).
Real Salt Lake then went on to win the 2009 MLS Cup! They beat the Los Angeles Galaxy in the final on November 22. The game was tied 1–1 after extra time, and RSL won 5–4 in a penalty shootout. Robbie Russell scored the winning penalty kick, and goalkeeper Nick Rimando was named the best player of the match. Winning the MLS Cup meant RSL would play in the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League.
In 2010, RSL continued their amazing home unbeaten streak. On October 16, 2010, they extended their streak to 25 games without a loss at home, setting an MLS record. They also finished the 2010 regular season with zero home losses. Real Salt Lake finished second overall in the league with 15 wins, 4 losses, and 11 ties. Goalkeeper Nick Rimando had 14 shutouts, and Jámison Olave was named the best defender in MLS. However, RSL lost in the first round of the MLS playoffs that year.
For the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League, Real Salt Lake played against teams from Mexico, Canada, and Panama. They finished first in their group. In the knockout rounds in 2011, RSL beat the Columbus Crew and Saprissa. This made them the first MLS team to reach the CONCACAF Champions League finals! In the final, RSL tied the first game 2–2 against Monterrey from Mexico. But in the second game at America First Field, Monterrey scored the only goal, winning the championship 3–2 overall.
In their 2011 MLS season, RSL's home unbeaten streak ended at 29 games on May 28, 2011. They finished the regular season with 15 wins, 11 losses, and 8 ties. In the MLS playoffs, RSL beat the Seattle Sounders but lost to the LA Galaxy in the conference finals.
In 2012, Real Salt Lake finished second in their conference during the regular season. They lost to Seattle in the playoff semi-finals. They also played in the 2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League but were eliminated in the group stage.
Changes in Ownership (2013–2021)
In 2013, Dell Loy Hansen became the main owner of Real Salt Lake. The team also traded some key players. RSL still finished second in their conference with 16 wins, 10 losses, and 8 ties. They reached the finals of both the Open Cup and the MLS Cup but lost both.
After the 2013 season, head coach Jason Kreis left. Long-time assistant coach Jeff Cassar took over. In 2014, the team finished third in their conference and qualified for the 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League. However, they were eliminated from the playoffs by the LA Galaxy.
The 2015 season started well, but the team began to struggle. They lost key players and did not make the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
In 2016, Real Salt Lake played in the 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals but were eliminated. They returned to the MLS playoffs but lost to the LA Galaxy. After this season, long-time team legends Javier Morales and Jamison Olave left the club.
On March 20, 2017, coach Jeff Cassar was dismissed. Mike Petke took over as head coach. The team had a strong finish to the season but missed the playoffs by just one point.
The 2018 season saw the opening of a new $78 million training center and academy in Herriman, Utah. This facility provides world-class training for Real Salt Lake and its other teams, like the NWSL's Utah Royals FC and Real Monarchs. It also houses the team's youth academy, helping to develop young talent.
In 2019, long-time goalkeeper Nick Rimando and defender Tony Beltran retired. Coach Mike Petke was dismissed in August. Assistant coach Freddy Juarez became the new head coach.
The 2020 season was shorter due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On August 30, MLS announced that owner Dell Loy Hansen would sell his teams. This happened after some issues regarding his past behavior. Also, Kyle Beckerman, the team's long-time captain and the last player from the 2009 MLS Cup winning team, retired. He had played more regular season games than any other outfield player in MLS history.
New Owners and Recent Success (2022–Present)
MLS took over the sales process in January 2021. Real Salt Lake started the 2021 season without a clear owner. Coach Freddy Juarez left in August, and his assistant, Pablo Mastroeni, became the interim coach. Under Mastroeni, the team made a strong push to the playoffs, qualifying on the last day with a late goal. They reached the conference finals for the first time since 2013, beating two strong teams before losing to the Portland Timbers. Because of this success, Mastroeni was named the permanent head coach.
On January 5, 2022, new owners Ryan Smith and David Blitzer bought the team.
Team Colors and Uniforms
Real Salt Lake's team colors are claret red, cobalt blue, and real gold.
Uniform Evolution
Here are some of the home, away, and special uniforms the team has worn over the years.
- Home Uniforms
         2005
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     2006–07
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    2008–09
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    2010–11
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    2012–13
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    2014–15
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     2016–17
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  2018–19
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    2020–21
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     2022–23
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- Away Uniforms
    2005
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     2006–07
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    2008–09
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     2010–11
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    2012–14
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     2015–16
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   2017–18
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     2019–20
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     2021–22
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    2023–24
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- Third/Special Uniforms
   2008
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     2010–11
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     2018
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Home Stadium: America First Field
Real Salt Lake plays its home games at America First Field. Before this, they played at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
| Name | Location | Years in use | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice-Eccles Stadium | Salt Lake City, Utah | 2005–2008 | 45,071 |
| America First Field | Sandy, Utah | 2008–present | 20,213 |
In 2005, plans for a special soccer stadium in Sandy were approved. However, funding issues almost caused the team to be sold and moved out of Salt Lake. After many discussions, a new stadium plan was approved by the state government. The state contributed $35 million towards the new stadium.
The $110 million stadium was built in Sandy. It opened on October 9, 2008. It was first named Rio Tinto Stadium after its sponsor. In September 2022, it was renamed America First Field as part of a new sponsorship deal.
How Many Fans Attend Games?
The stadium has helped Real Salt Lake attract more fans. The number of season-ticket holders grew from 4,000 in 2008 to over 15,000 by 2016.
| MLS season | Regular season | MLS playoffs |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 18,935 | - |
| 2006 | 16,366 | - |
| 2007 | 15,960 | - |
| 2008 | 16,179 | 17,364 |
| 2009 | 16,375 | 11,499 |
| 2010 | 17,095 | 19,324 |
| 2011 | 17,594 | 17,067 |
| 2012 | 19,153 | 19,657 |
| 2013 | 19,362 | 18,187 |
| 2014 | 20,351 | 20,713 |
| 2015 | 20,160 | - |
| 2016 | 19,759 | NHG |
| 2017 | 18,781 | - |
| 2018 | 18,605 | 14,045 |
| 2019 | 17,970 | 17,452 |
| 2020 | 5,335 | - |
| 2021 | 15,398 | NHG |
| 2022 | 20,470 | NHG |
| 2023 | 19,429 | 20,251 |
NHG = No home game during playoffs
Longest Home Unbeaten Streaks
Real Salt Lake has had some impressive streaks where they didn't lose at home.
| Rank | Games Unbeaten | Start Date | End Date | Record (Wins–Ties–Losses) |
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| 1 | 29 | June 6, 2009 | May 14, 2011 | (20–9–0) |
| 2 | 14 | March 17, 2018 | September 15, 2018 | (10–4–0) |
| March 12, 2016 | September 16, 2016 | (8–6–0) | ||
| 4 | 12 | July 4, 2014 | March 29, 2015 | (9–3–0) |
| March 29, 2008 | August 29, 2008 | (7–5–0) |
Team Culture and Fan Support
Team Rivalries
Real Salt Lake's main rival is the Colorado Rapids. These two teams are the closest geographically and compete for the annual Rocky Mountain Cup. This rivalry started in 2005. Real Salt Lake has won the cup more often and is the current holder.
Another strong rivalry is with Sporting Kansas City. This rivalry grew after a pre-season fight in 2011 and a big game in the MLS Cup 2013 final. Many games between these teams have been very intense.
RSL also has smaller rivalries with the LA Galaxy, Los Angeles FC, and Seattle Sounders FC. These rivalries often come from playoff matches or when players and staff move between the clubs.
Fan Groups and Mascot
Real Salt Lake has five official fan groups: Salt City United, Rogue Cavaliers Brigade, Section 26, Riot Brigade, and La Barra Real. All these groups are part of a larger group called The Riot.
Leo the Lion is the official mascot of Real Salt Lake.
Team Anthem
In 2011, Branden Steineckert, a drummer and RSL fan, wrote a song called "Believe" for the club. This song became the team's official anthem. It is sung at the start of every home game, after every goal RSL scores, and after every home win.
Team Finances and Sponsors
As a team from a smaller market, Real Salt Lake works hard to bring in enough money to compete. Opening America First Field in 2008 greatly helped the team's income.
Team Sponsors
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
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| 2005–2008 | Adidas | — |
| 2009–2012 | Xango | |
| 2012–2013 | Xango (home)
LifeVantage (away) |
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| 2014–2023 | LifeVantage | |
| 2024–present | Intermountain Health |
RSL has a long-term sponsorship deal with Intermountain Health. They also had deals with LifeVantage and Xango in the past. Other sponsors include JetBlue Airways, Ford, and Zions Bank.
How to Watch and Listen to Games
You can listen to Real Salt Lake games on KSL AM 1160 and FM 102.7 (English). Spanish broadcasts are on KTUB AM 1600.
Since 2023, every Real Salt Lake match is available to watch on MLS Season Pass through the Apple TV app. Before this, games were shown on various TV networks in Utah.
Players and Staff
- For details on former players, see All-time Real Salt Lake roster.
Current Roster
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Players on Loan
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Coaches and Staff
| Title | Name |
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| President | John Kimball |
| Sporting Director/CSO | Kurt Schmid |
| General manager | Vacant |
| Assistant general manager | Tony Beltran |
| Club Operations | Jason Kreis |
| Head coach | Pablo Mastroeni |
| Assistant coach | Jámison Olave |
| Assistant coach | Anthony Pulis |
| Assistant coach | Nate Miller |
| Goalkeeping coach | Mirza Harambašić |
| Performance Coach | Sean Buckley |
| Director of video analysis | Rob Rogers |
| Director of athletic performance | Theron Enns |
| Director of team administration | Chase Rusden |
| Team administrator | Rory James |
| Player care manager | Christian Peters |
| Head athletic trainer | Jacob Joachim |
| Assistant athletic trainer | Luke Cantin |
| Equipment manager | Benjamin Chavez |
Last updated: January 6, 2024
Source: Real Salt Lake
Retired Numbers
Some numbers are retired to honor special players.
| No. | Player | Position | Nation | Years Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Jason Kreis | Forward |  United States |
2005–2007 |
| 11 | Javier Morales | Midfielder |  Argentina |
2007–2016 |
Jason Kreis's number 9 was retired in 2011. However, when Javier Morales's number 11 was retired in 2019, Kreis asked the club to let players wear his number 9 again. So, both numbers 9 and 11 are now used by players. Their names and numbers are displayed at America First Field to honor them.
Team Captains
The team captain is a very important leader on the field.
| Nationality | Name | Years as Captain |
|---|---|---|
| United States |
Jason Kreis | 2005–2007 |
| United States |
Eddie Pope | 2007 |
| United States |
Kyle Beckerman | 2008–2020 |
 Slovakia |
Albert Rusnák | 2021 |
 Croatia |
Damir Kreilach | 2022–2023 |
 Colombia |
Chicho Arango | 2024–present |
Head Coaches
Here are the head coaches who have led Real Salt Lake.
| Head Coach | Years | Games | Wins | Losses | Ties | Win % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Ellinger |
2005 – May 2007 | 71 | 16 | 39 | 16 | 33.8% | First coach |
| Jason Kreis |
May 2007 – Dec 2013 | 261 | 112 | 85 | 64 | 55.2% | Won the MLS Cup |
| Jeff Cassar |
Dec 2013 – Mar 2017 | 121 | 45 | 43 | 33 | 50.8% | |
| Daryl Shore |
Mar 2017 – Apr 2017 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 25.0% | Interim coach |
| Mike Petke |
Apr 2017 – Aug 2019 | 91 | 37 | 39 | 15 | 48.9% | |
| Freddy Juarez |
Aug 2019 – Aug 2021 | 55 | 18 | 14 | 23 | 53.6% | Interim then permanent |
| Pablo Mastroeni |
Aug 2021 – present | 54 | 22 | 20 | 12 | 51.8% | Interim then permanent |
Team Achievements
Real Salt Lake has won several important titles.
| National Titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Competitions | Titles | Season |
| MLS Cup | 1 | 2009 |
| Western Conference (Playoffs) | 1 | 2013 |
| Eastern Conference (Playoffs) | 1 | 2009 |
Player Records
These tables show the top players in Real Salt Lake history for goals, assists, appearances, and shutouts.
Career Records
- Players in Bold are still active with the team.
- These stats are for regular season MLS matches only.
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Single Season Records
- These stats are for regular season MLS matches only.
- Players in bold currently play for Real Salt Lake.
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| Rank | Player | Nation | Season | Shutouts |
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| 1 | Nick Rimando | |
2010 | 14 |
| 2 | |
2011 | 13 | |
| 3 | |
2012 | 12 | |
| 4 | |
2019 | 10 | |
| Zac MacMath | |
2022 | 10 | |
| 6 | Nick Rimando | |
2009 | 9 |
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2013 | 9 | ||
| Zac MacMath | |
2023 | 9 | |
| 9 | Nick Rimando | |
2015 | 8 |
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2017 | 8 | ||
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2008 | 8 |
Hat Tricks (3 Goals in One Game)
| Player | Date | Opponent | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Kreis |
July 13, 2005 | Minnesota Thunder | L 4–6 | Open Cup |
| Robbie Findley |
April 2, 2009 | Columbus Crew | W 4–1 | MLS |
 Álvaro Saborío |
July 7, 2012 | Portland Timbers | W 3–0 | |
| September 29, 2012 | Chivas USA | W 4–0 | ||
| July 27, 2013 | New York Red Bulls | L 3–4 | ||
| Javier Morales |
May 11, 2014 | Houston Dynamo | W 5–2 | |
| Damir Kreilach |
September 1, 2018 | LA Galaxy | W 6–2 | |
| Chicho Arango |
March 30, 2024 | St. Louis City SC | W 3–1 | |
| June 1, 2024 | Austin FC | W 5–1 |
Player Awards
MLS All-Star Appearances
Players in bold currently play for Real Salt Lake.
| Appearances | Player | Nation | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Kyle Beckerman | |
2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 |
| 7 | Nick Rimando | |
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019 |
| 3 | Jamison Olave | |
2010, 2011, 2012 |
| 2 | Tony Beltran | |
2013, 2015 |
| Javier Morales | |
2009, 2010 | |
| Eddie Pope | |
2005, 2007 | |
| 1 | Chicho Arango | |
2024 |
| Fabián Espíndola | |
2012 | |
| Justen Glad | |
2024 | |
| Will Johnson |  |
2009 | |
| Damir Kreilach | |
2021 | |
| Diego Luna | |
2024 |
Major League Soccer Awards
These awards were given to Real Salt Lake players by Major League Soccer.
| Season | Award | Player(s) |
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| 2006 | MLS Best XI | Jeff Cunningham |
| MLS Golden Boot | ||
| 2009 | MLS Cup Most Valuable Player | Nick Rimando |
| 2010 | MLS Best XI | Nat Borchers, Jámison Olave, Javier Morales |
| MLS Defender of the Year | Jámison Olave |
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| MLS Newcomer of the Year | Álvaro Saborío |
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| 2011 | MLS Best XI | Jámison Olave |
| 2018 | MLS Rookie of the Year | Corey Baird |
| 2024 | MLS Young Player of the Year | Diego Luna |
Team Awards
These awards are decided by votes from RSL players at the end of each season.
Team MVP
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Golden Boot (Top Scorer)
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Defensive Player of the Year
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Images for kids
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Robbie Russell (in red) playing for Real Salt Lake
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America First Field has been RSL's home stadium since 2008.
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Leo the Lion at a "Meet the Players" event, August 2010
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Kyle Beckerman
See also
In Spanish: Real Salt Lake para niños
