Real Salt Lake
Squad
Stephen Sunday2016current
Diego Luna2022current
Braian Ojedacurrent
Carlos Andrés Gómezcurrent
Clint Mathis2005–2005- Dipsy Selolwane2005–2005
Eddie Pope2005–2007
Jason Kreis2005–2007
Douglas Sequeira2006–2006
Chris Seitz2007–2009
Freddy Adu2007–2007
Kyle Beckerman2007–2020
Luis Tejada2007–2007
Nick Rimando2007–2019
Robbie Findley2007–2010
Yura Movsisyan2007–2009- Clint Mathis2008–2009
Luis Gil2010–2015
Álvaro Saborío2010–2010- Álvaro Saborío2011–2015
- Terukazu Tanaka2012–2012
Carlos Salcedo2013–2014- Robbie Findley2013–2014
- Yura Movsisyan2016–2016
- Yura Movsisyan2017–2018
Nedum Onuoha2018–2020
Diogo Gonçalves2024–2026
Real Salt Lake is a professional soccer team based in Sandy, Utah, competing in Major League Soccer.
RSL is a member of the Western Conference in Major League Soccer.
Founded in 2004, Real Salt Lake began play in 2005 as an expansion team in MLS.
Biography
Formation
Real Salt Lake (RSL) was established in 2004 when Major League Soccer awarded an expansion franchise to SCP Worldwide, led by Dave Checketts. The club began its journey in the league in 2005, making its debut on April 2 against the MetroStars, which ended in a scoreless draw. Jason Kreis, who became the club's first player, scored RSL's inaugural goal in the following match against the LA Galaxy. The team's first home game took place on April 16, 2005, where they celebrated their first victory against the Colorado Rapids in front of a crowd of 25,287 at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Early Struggles
Despite a promising start, RSL faced significant challenges in its early years, finishing among the worst teams in the league during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. The club struggled with a 10-game losing streak in 2005 and an 18-game winless run in 2006, despite having talented players like Kreis, Eddie Pope, Andy Williams, and Jeff Cunningham. In 2007, the team sought to revamp its roster by acquiring veteran players such as goalkeeper Nick Rimando and midfielder Kyle Beckerman. However, after a poor start to the season, head coach John Ellinger was replaced by Kreis, who retired from playing to take on the managerial role.
Progress and Development
The 2008 season marked a turning point for Real Salt Lake as they began to build a more competitive team. Under Kreis's leadership, the club aimed to improve its performance and establish a stronger presence in Major League Soccer. As RSL continued to develop, it laid the groundwork for future successes in the league, setting the stage for a more promising era in the years to come.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Early years (2005–2008)
Real Salt Lake became the twelfth MLS team when Major League Soccer awarded an expansion franchise on July 14, 2004, to SCP Worldwide, headed by Dave Checketts. United States U-17's coach John Ellinger was named as the initial manager of the club, with forward Jason Kreis becoming the club's first player. RSL began play on April 2, 2005, in a match against the MetroStars at Giants Stadium that ended as a scoreless draw; Kreis would score the team's first ever goal the following game on the road against the LA Galaxy. The club's first ever home match, and victory, would occur on April 16 in front of 25,287 fans at Rice-Eccles Stadium, with defender Brian Dunseth securing a victory over Rocky Mountain Cup rival Colorado Rapids. However, both the 2005 and 2006 seasons would prove to be relative disappointments for the club. Despite strong performances from key players Kreis, Eddie Pope, Andy Williams, and Jeff Cunningham, RSL would embark on a 10-game losing streak in the former and an 18-game winless run in the latter, finishing each season among the worst teams in the league. The 2007 season began with the club making moves for veteran talent to build around, most notably bringing in goalkeeper Nick Rimando and midfielder Kyle Beckerman pre-season. However, following continued poor form, Ellinger was fired in May and unexpectedly replaced as head coach by Kreis, who immediately retired as a player to take the role. The 2008 season saw the club…
- League
- Major League Soccer
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Real Salt Lake (RSL) is an American professional soccer team based in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference. Founded in 2004, the club began play in 2005 as an expansion team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
…