Real Salt Lake are a soccer club representing Sandy, Utah in Major League Soccer. Founded in 2004, they wasted little time making their mark on North American soccer.
Real Salt Lake won the MLS Cup in 2009 and took the Western Conference Championship in 2013. Built around an attacking style, the club has grown a loyal following and stayed one of the more watchable sides in the league.
History Of Real Salt Lake: Founded In 2004
The club was founded in 2004 and began playing in MLS in 2005 as an expansion side. The early years were tough, and RSL were seen as one of the weaker teams in the league. That changed under coach Jason Kreis, who oversaw a real turnaround and delivered the club's first MLS Cup in 2009.
Since then the club has settled in as a regular MLS contender, reaching the playoffs often and advancing into the knockout rounds of the CONCACAF Champions League. RSL have built a strong fanbase too, with passionate support at America First Field, the club's home stadium.
Who Founded Real Salt Lake?
Real Salt Lake were founded by businessman Dave Checketts and his partner, movie producer Dean Howes, in 2004. Checketts, a former CEO of Madison Square Garden and the NBA's New York Knicks, was central to bringing a professional soccer team to Salt Lake City and getting the franchise off the ground. The club has since become a genuine player in MLS, winning major titles and building a solid following in Utah and beyond.
President Of Real Salt Lake: Who Is John Kimball?
As of the 2022/23 season, John Kimball was club president of Real Salt Lake, appointed to the role on February 11, 2022 after signing a new multi-year deal. He had previously served as Interim President and helped oversee the transition of club ownership. After returning to RSL in September 2020, Kimball worked to stabilize the franchise, its teams and its facilities.
Working with Major League Soccer, he helped guide Real Salt Lake through a move to new ownership under David Blitzer and Smith Entertainment Group, led by Ryan Smith. Kimball, a Utah native, earned plenty of respect both inside and outside the club.
His appointment was seen as a real asset for Real Salt Lake as the club looked to keep growing.
Stadium Of Real Salt Lake: America First Field
In Sandy, Utah, America First Field is home to Real Salt Lake. The stadium opened in 2008 and seats 20,213, relatively small by MLS standards. What it lacks in size it makes up for in character, with a striking red exterior and views out to the surrounding mountains.
The ground has strong amenities, including a high-definition video scoreboard, luxury boxes and good seating throughout. Beyond RSL matches, it has hosted other soccer events, including international friendlies and college games.
Little wonder it has become a favourite venue for football fans in Utah and beyond.
Q: What is the name of Real Salt Lake's stadium?
Ans: America First Field is the home stadium of Real Salt Lake.
Fans And Culture Of Real Salt Lake
RSL's supporters, known as the "Riot," are a committed bunch. The group was founded in 2005, a year before the club's first season, and has been a constant at home games ever since. They are known for loud, passionate backing: chants, songs and big displays of banners and flags.
Off the pitch, the Riot are active in the community too, volunteering and running fundraising events for local causes.
Real Salt Lake fans are widely respected for their dedication and their willingness to travel to follow the team. The club draws support from across Utah and neighbouring states, with plenty of friendships built around a shared love of RSL.
Real Salt Lake Key Individuals
Notable Players In The History Of Real Salt Lake
Among the biggest names to represent the Utah club are Kyle Beckerman, Nick Rimando and Javier Morales. Beckerman, who played 13 seasons for RSL, anchored the midfield and was central to the 2009 MLS Cup win.
Rimando, the club's all-time leader in appearances, shutouts and saves, was a rock in goal for well over a decade and picked up plenty of individual awards. Morales, the elegant Argentine playmaker, shaped the team's best years across nine seasons, earning MLS Best XI honours twice.
Alongside them, Alvaro Saborio and Jamison Olave stand out in the club's history. Saborio, the Costa Rican striker, was top scorer during the 2013 MLS Cup run, while Olave, the Colombian defender, was a three-time MLS Best XI pick and a key part of a tough backline. These players, with many others, left a lasting mark on Real Salt Lake.
Best Manager In The History Of Real Salt Lake
RSL have had a number of capable managers, but one stands above the rest: Jason Kreis. The former RSL player managed the team from 2007 to 2013, a stretch of unprecedented success that included the 2009 MLS Cup and a run to the 2011 CONCACAF Champions League final.
Kreis got results through smart tactics and a real commitment to young players. He had an eye for talent, bringing in promising youngsters and turning them into top-level performers.
That work made him one of the most respected managers in MLS, and he went on to coach other clubs in the league, including New York City FC and Orlando City SC.
Q: Who is the president of REAL SALT LAKE?
Ans. As of the 2022/23 season, John Kimball served as president of Real Salt Lake.
Real Salt Lake Record Breakers
All-Time Top Scorers Of Real Salt Lake
In March 2010, Real Salt Lake signed the striker Álvaro Saborío. The Costa Rican made an immediate impact, helping RSL post the highest-scoring offence in MLS that year with 45 goals.
Saborío led the way with a team-high 12 goals, earning the MLS Newcomer of the Year award for his first-season contribution.
| NAME OF THE PLAYER | NUMBER OF GOALS SCORED |
| Alvaro Saborio | 79 |
| Javier Morales | 60 |
| Joao Plata | 53 |
| Damir Kreilach | 48 |
| Albert Rusnak | 42 |
Q: Who is the all-time highest goal scorer of REAL SALT LAKE?
Ans: Álvaro Saborío has scored the most goals in the history of Real Salt Lake.
All-Time Top Assist Providers Of Real Salt Lake
Javier Morales joined Real Salt Lake in August 2007 alongside fellow Argentines Matias Mantilla and Fabián Espíndola. He made an instant mark, laying on an assist just 40 seconds into his MLS debut against the Kansas City Wizards, the fastest first assist in MLS history.
| NAME OF THE PLAYER | NUMBER OF ASSISTS |
| Javier Morales | 85 |
| Joao Plata | 39 |
| Albert Rusnak | 29 |
| Kyle Beckerman | 29 |
| Andy Williams | 29 |
Q: Who is the all-time assist provider for REAL SALT LAKE?
Ans. Javier Morales, with his playmaking, has provided the most assists for Real Salt Lake.
Who Has The Most All-Time Appearances For Real Salt Lake
Nick Rimando had his ups and downs in MLS, but he is widely rated as one of the best goalkeepers in league history. He made an immediate impact for Real Salt Lake after arriving in 2006 and was named team MVP in his first season.
He was central to RSL's success over the next decade, collecting plenty of honours along the way, including MLS Cup MVP in 2009. Rimando's long career came to an end in 2019.
| NAME OF THE PLAYER | NUMBER OF APPEARANCES |
| Kyle Beckerman | 408 |
| Javier Morales | 292 |
| Chris Wingert | 289 |
| Tony Beltran | 286 |
| Nat Borchers | 244 |
Most Expensive Transfers In The History Of Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake signed Colombian forward Carlos Andre Gomez in 2023. Aiming to push for honours, the club moved to land the then 21-year-old.
| NAME | CLUB FROM | CLUB TO | TRANSFER AMOUNT |
| Carlos Andre Gomez | Millonarios | Real Salt Lake | $3.49M |
| Yura Movsisyan | Spartak Moscow | Real Salt Lake | $3M |
| Jefferson Savarino | Atletico-MG | Real Salt Lake | $2.25M |
| Jonathan Menendez | Independiente | Real Salt Lake | $1.09M |
| Sam Johnson | Valerenga | Real Salt Lake | $755K |
Q: When did Real Salt Lake start playing in the MLS?
Ans: Real Salt Lake were founded in 2004 and started playing in MLS in 2005.
Conclusion: Overview Of Real Salt Lake Legacy
Real Salt Lake have made themselves a competitive fixture in Major League Soccer. With a loyal fanbase and a strong home stadium, the club has become a real presence in American soccer.
After a slow start, RSL grew into a consistent side, winning the 2009 MLS Cup and reaching the playoffs in most of their active seasons.
Follow Real Salt Lake On Field Insider
To see where RSL stand now rather than in the history books, check our live Real Salt Lake team page for up-to-date squad ratings, fixtures and transfer news.