Who are they?
Real Salt Lake. The Claret and Cobalt were formed in 2004 and played their first season in MLS in 2015 as MLS’s 12th team. The Real in the name is a nod to Real Madrid, with whom they partnered when the club founded. The Partnership seems to have fizzled, but the name remains.
What have they won?
An MLS Cup in 2009 is the Club’s only major silverware, but they’ve come close on a number of occasions to adding more, finishing as runners up in the Supporters Shield, US Open Cup, MLS Cup and Champions League.
What about the Disney Pro Soccer Classic?
No. They never competed in Florida’s favorite February soccer extravaganza.
Last year...
At the end of 2013, Jason Kreis departed to New York City FC. Kreis was RSL’s first ever MLS player, first goal scorer, and took over as head coach in 2007, and had built a competitive squad. Under Jeff Cassar they started well, but tailed off in the second half of the season, with injuries and the World Cup robbing him of key players. By the time they hit the playoffs, the team looked to have run out of steam, and were convincingly beaten in the semis by the eventual winners LA Galaxy.
This year…
They started the season well but they’ve only won one in the last five. Having said that they are undefeated at home in the last six. The biggest problem, some argue, is that they simply aren’t creating enough chances. None of their forwards has more than three goals to their name.
And there’s the Gold Cup…
Indeed. Salt Lake have lost five players to international duty, including Rimando, Beckerman and Saborio, which is the spine of the team.
So they won’t be at full strength.
Nope. The backline in fact looks somewhat decimated. Along with the international callups of Vasquez and Phillips, Olave and Schuler are both injured, and Allen is suspended. Phanuel Kavita, a 22 year old who signed from college in January made his first start for the club last week at center back.
One to Watch…
Javier Morales
Who’s the boss?
Jeff Casar, former Keeper for Miami Fusion and FC Dallas. Interestingly, he lost his spot in the Fusion lineup in 1999 to Nick Rimando, who he now coaches. He was previously the goalkeeping coach for RSL, before taking the top job when Kreis left at the end of 2014.
What about their supporters?
They have eight (yes eight!) supporter groups, most of them standing in the South End at Rio Tinto Stadium. Attendances have been increasing year on year since 2006, now averaging around 20,000 per game.
Rivals?
Colorado Rapids. The teams compete in the Rocky Mountain Cup.
Anything else?
We’re going to leave you with this.
