Who Are Real Salt Lake? History, Stats & More
Real Salt Lake is a soccer team that represents Sandy, Utah participating in Major League Soccer. The club came into existence in 2004 and promptly made its presence felt in North American soccer.
Real Salt Lake won the MLS Cup in 2009 and was awarded the Western Conference Championship in 2013. With their attacking style of play, the team has managed to establish a loyal fan base and remains one of the most thrilling teams in the competition.
History Of Real Salt Lake: Founded In 2004
The club was founded in 2004 and began playing in MLS in 2005 as an expansion team. In its early years, the team struggled to find success on the field and was considered one of the weaker sides in MLS. However, under the leadership of coach Jason Kreis, Real Salt Lake experienced a remarkable turnaround and won its first MLS Cup in 2009.
The club has since established itself as a perennial contender in MLS, regularly qualifying for the playoffs and advancing to the knockout stages of the CONCACAF Champions League. Real Salt Lake has also built a strong fanbase and is known for its passionate supporters, who cheer the team on at America First Field, the club’s state-of-the-art home stadium.
Who Founded Real Salt Lake?
Real Salt Lake was founded by businessman Dave Checketts and his business partner, movie producer Dean Howes, in 2004. Checketts, a former CEO of Madison Square Garden and the NBA’s New York Knicks, was instrumental in bringing a professional soccer team to Salt Lake City and establishing the Real Salt Lake franchise. The club has since become a major player in Major League Soccer, winning several major titles and developing a strong following among fans in Utah and beyond.
Current President Of Real Salt Lake; Who Is John Kimball?
After a new multi-year contract was signed, John Kimball was appointed as the official club president of Real Salt Lake on February 11, 2022. He had previously served as the Interim President and had played a crucial role in overseeing the transition of club ownership. Upon his return to RSL in September 2020, Kimball successfully stabilized the franchise, its teams, and its facilities.
Thanks to his collaborative efforts with Major League Soccer, Real Salt Lake underwent a transition to new ownership under David Blitzer and Smith Entertainment Group, which was led by Ryan Smith. Kimball, who is a native of Utah, has earned considerable respect from both within and outside the club.
His appointment is anticipated to be a valuable addition to Real Salt Lake as it continues to grow and thrive in the years ahead.
Stadium Of Real Salt Lake: America First Field
Located in Sandy, Utah, America First Field serves as the home for Real Salt Lake. The stadium opened its doors in 2008 and offers seating for 20,213 spectators, which is relatively small compared to other venues in Major League Soccer. Nevertheless, America First Field features a striking red exterior and breath-taking views of the surrounding mountains.
The stadium is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, including a high-definition video scoreboard, luxury boxes, and top-tier seating options for fans to enjoy. In addition to hosting Real Salt Lake matches, America First Field has also played host to several other soccer events, including international friendlies and college soccer games.
It’s no wonder that this iconic venue has become a beloved destination for fans of the beautiful game 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
The fans of Real Salt Lake, commonly known as the “Riot,” are a vibrant and committed group of supporters. The Riot was founded in 2005, a year before the team’s inaugural season, and has been a constant presence at home matches ever since. The group is recognized for its passionate support of the team, which involves lively chants, songs, and impressive displays of banners and flags.
In addition to their unwavering support of the team on the field, the Riot is known for its charitable activities, which include volunteering in the community and organizing fundraising events for local causes.
Real Salt Lake fans are widely acknowledged for their passionate and dedicated support of the team, and their willingness to travel great distances to cheer on the team. The club has a widespread following throughout Utah and neighboring states, and many fans have forged close friendships due to their shared passion for Real Salt Lake.
Real Salt Lake Key Individuals
Notable Players In The History Of Real Salt Lake
Among the most prominent players to ever grace the field for the Utah-based club include Kyle Beckerman, Nick Rimando, and Javier Morales. Beckerman, who played for Real Salt Lake for 13 seasons, was a crucial component of the team’s midfield, helping them lift the MLS Cup trophy in 2009.
Rimando, the club’s all-time leader in appearances, shutouts, and saves, was a formidable force between the sticks for over a decade, earning numerous individual accolades along the way. Morales, the elegant Argentine playmaker, played a pivotal role in the team’s success during his nine seasons with the club, earning MLS Best XI honors twice.
In addition to these players, Real Salt Lake also boasts the likes of Alvaro Saborio and Jamison Olave as notable players in the club’s history. Saborio, the Costa Rican striker, was the team’s top scorer during their 2013 MLS Cup run, while Olave, the Colombian defender, was a three-time MLS Best XI selection and a key member of the team’s vaunted backline. These players, along with many others, have left an indelible mark on the history of Real Salt Lake and will forever be remembered as some of the greatest players to ever wear the club’s colors.
Best Manager In The History Of Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake has had a number of talented managers over the years, but one individual stands out as the best in the club’s history – Jason Kreis. The former RSL player managed the team from 2007 to 2013, leading the club to a period of unprecedented success, which included lifting the MLS Cup in 2009 and reaching the final of the CONCACAF Champions League in 2011.
Kreis’ managerial success at Real Salt Lake was based on his tactical innovation and an unwavering commitment to developing young talent. Kreis was also a shrewd talent spotter, bringing in a host of promising young players and helping them to develop into top-level performers.
His success with Real Salt Lake earned him praise as one of the best managers in MLS history, and he went on to manage several other clubs in the league, including New York City FC and Orlando City SC.
Q: Who is the president of REAL SALT LAKE?
Ans. John Kimball currently serves the role of president for Real Salt Lake.
Real Salt Lake Record Breakers
All-Time Top Scorers Of Real Salt Lake
In March 2010, Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake signed the talented striker, Álvaro Saborío. The Costa Rican quickly made an impression in his first season at the club, helping RSL to boast the highest-scoring offense in MLS in 2010, with a total of 45 goals.
Saborío led the way with a team-high 12 tallies, earning him the prestigious MLS Newcomer of the Year award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the team.
| 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 along with fellow Argentines Matias Mantilla and Fabián Espíndola. He made an immediate impact by tallying an assist just 40 seconds into his MLS debut against the Kansas City Wizards, earning the distinction of recording 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 exceptional playmaking style has provided the highest number of assists for Real Salt Lake.
Who Has The Most All-Time Appearances For Real Salt Lake
Nick Rimando‘s journey in MLS was full of ups and downs, but he is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in league history. Rimando made an immediate impact for Real Salt Lake after being acquired in 2006 and was named the team’s MVP in his first season.
He played a pivotal role in RSLs’ success over the next decade, earning numerous accolades along the way, including MLS Cup MVP in 2009. Rimando’s legendary 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
Carlos Andre Gomez acquired the Columbian powerhouse in 2023 itself. Expected to contest for the championship, the spoken-off franchise has gone all out to but the 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 was founded in 2004 and started playing in the MLS in 2005.
Conclusion: Overview Of Real Salt Lake Legacy
Real Salt Lake has firmly established its position as one of the most successful and competitive teams in Major League Soccer. With a loyal fan base and a world-class stadium, the club has become a major player in American soccer.
Despite a relatively slow start, Real Salt Lake have since gone on to achieve great consistency and results, including the coveted MLS Cup in 2009, and have qualified for the playoffs in most of their active seasons.
