Real Salt Lake
Encyclopedia
Real Salt Lake is an American professional soccer club based in Sandy, Utah
, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes in Major League Soccer
(MLS), the top professional soccer league in the United States
and Canada
. They currently play their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won the MLS Cup in 2009, and reached the final of the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League
. The team's head coach is former United States international Jason Kreis
.
. RSL became the 12th MLS franchise and began play on April 2, 2005 in a match against the New York Metrostars. Future coach Jason Kreis became the first player in RSL history, coming in a trade from the Dallas Burn, and also scored the club’s first goal.
RSL’s first few years in MLS were marked by heavy losses and player turnover. Led by coach John Ellinger
, the first season included a 10-match losing streak in route to a 5-22-5 inaugural season. RSL added veterans Clint Mathis
, Eddie Pope
, and Jeff Cunningham
to these early teams.
In 2007, RSL Jason Kreis was hired as the new manager midseason and retired as an active player. Working with new General Manager Garth Lagerwey
, RSL added several key players including Kyle Beckerman
, Robbie Findley
, Javier Morales
, Nat Borchers
and Jamison Olave
. RSL advanced to the playoff for the first time in 2008.
RSL won the 2009 MLS Cup by defeating the Los Angeles Galaxy
in the November 22 final at Qwest Field. RSL played the L.A. Galaxy to a 1–1 tie through overtime and won the MLS cup (5–4 on penalties) to complete the upset. Goalkeeper Nick Rimando
was named Man of the Match.
In 2011, RSL became the first MLS team to ever reach the CONCACAF
Champions League Final, losing to Monterrey 3-2.
In 2005 a soccer-specific stadium
for the team was approved for Sandy
, a suburb of Salt Lake City. However, funding for the stadium was still hard to come by. A vote in early 2006 struck down a funding proposal for the stadium. However, Tom Dolan, the mayor of Sandy, said that he would not give up on his fight to approve the proposal in Sandy. The funding plan was revised, but was struck down later in 2006 over disagreements in the appropriation of millions of hotel-tax dollars for a financially unproven sports franchise. The proposal for Sandy was declared "dead" by Checketts at that point, putting the team's future in doubt. Dave Checketts
said that he wanted the team to remain in Utah, but would sell it if a proposal was not put forward by August 12, 2006.
Parties from several cities, including Rochester, New York and St Louis, Missouri, expressed interest in purchasing the franchise and moving it. Other stadium sites in the area were also proposed, including the Utah State Fairgrounds in Salt Lake, and the tiny town of Vineyard
, just west of Provo
. Finally, on the very day Checketts had set as a deadline to have a stadium plan in place or decide to sell the team, and after months of up and down discussions with local municipalities, county, and state officials and a change in the funding structure, a tacit agreement between Checkets, Sandy City, and Salt Lake County was put in place, and Real Salt Lake announced that they would move forward with the construction of Real Salt Lake Stadium, which would ultimately be named Rio Tinto Stadium. The groundbreaking, coinciding with the Xango Cup, Real's match against international power Real Madrid
, took place that afternoon featuring elected leaders, team officials, as well as the entire rosters of both Real Salt Lake and Real Madrid. On August 15, the deal was officially approved by the Salt Lake County Council.
The stadium plan encountered difficulties however after the Debt Review Committee of Salt Lake County voted against the stadium proposal 4–0 on January 26, 2007 citing what they saw as Real Salt Lake's financial inviability as the reasoning behind the lack of support. County mayor Corroon concurred with the DRC and the stadium plan was effectively killed on January 29, 2007. In response Real Salt Lake's owner announced the team would be sold and likely move out of the Salt Lake area after the 2007 season.
The Sandy Stadium proposal was not completely dead, however: a new stadium proposal was made on February 2, that would divert 15 percent, roughly $2 million a year, of the county's hotel taxes to the stadium project beginning in July until 2017. Such a deal would have to have been made by February 9, or the deal would have been completely off. The bill was passed by the State Senate.
After Governor Huntsman made a move that would allow the team to remain in Salt Lake County: the Utah House approved House bill 1SHB38, by a 48–24 margin, effectively approving $35 million towards the development of Real Salt Lake's new home. The governor was expected to sign the bill, and ultimately did so.
Sandy City, along with the state of Utah and representatives of the team, finally came to an agreement regarding the placement of the Real stadium. The deal was shot down about a week prior to the agreement by the Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon saying it was too risky. However, Utah's governor, Jon Huntsman, Jr. said that soccer was here to stay. The $110 million dollar stadium was built in Sandy
, a suburb of Salt Lake City. Rossetti's California office was the architecture firm responsible for the design of the new stadium. The stadium's opening date was set for October 9, 2008, when Real Salt Lake hosted the New York Red Bulls
.
where it is traditionally used by certain Spanish football clubs, the best known being Real Madrid
of La Liga
. Meaning "royal" in English, it is traditionally taken by teams that are given the title by the King of Spain whether through favoritism or otherwise. In 2006, Real Salt Lake established a relationship Real Madrid, reinforcing the bond between the club and its Spanish inspiration.
Dave Checketts
and SCP Worldwide partners Dean Howes
, Kenneth Munoz, Michael McCarthy, and Chris Bevilacqua chose Real Salt Lake for the team's name because they desired to associate the team with a successful soccer club, Real Madrid
, as well as to develop a brand that was clearly associated with association football.
The choice of Real Salt Lake was initially met with derision in the fan community, as many fans thought the name should more accurately reflect the Salt Lake area. Other team names considered were Salt Lake City Highlanders, Salt Lake Soccer Club, Alliance Soccer Club and Union SLC. However, in recent years, criticism from local fans and the media has waned, and the club has instituted a formal relationship with Real Madrid.
, Real Salt Lake and Real Madrid have signed a 10-year co-operative agreement. Among the provisions of the deal are a biennial friendly match between the two teams to take place in Salt Lake City, annual February training for RSL at the Real Madrid practice facility in Spain, and, perhaps most importantly, the creation of a $25 million elite youth academy in SLC that will train up to 200 players from ages 12 to 18. The academy, a co-operative project for which Real Madrid will pay half the cost, will include academic facilities and dormitory housing, arguably becoming the first true soccer "youth system" in MLS. In this sense, it is part of a growing league-wide trend toward the emphasis of youth development, a trend which has been encouraged by the main office and jump-started by the league's decision to allow individual teams to maintain rights to the products of potential youth development systems.
, which it competes with for the annual Rocky Mountain Cup
. With Major League Soccer's expansion in 2005, Real Salt Lake became the second team in the Rocky Mountain region and the Colorado Rapids
' closest neighbor. The supporters of the two clubs created a competition between the two sides to foster and memorialize this budding rivalry. Colorado won the Rocky Mountain Cup
in its inaugural year, 9 points to 3, and successfully defended the Cup in 2006 by a margin of 7 points to 4. Real Salt Lake won the Rocky Mountain Cup
in the 2007 Season, 7 points to 4 points, and defended the cup successfully in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.
Other teams considered rivals for Real Salt Lake are Chivas USA, which also joined Major League Soccer in 2005, FC Dallas
, a team that Real have never beaten away from home and is the former team of RSL head coach Jason Kries, and the Los Angeles Galaxy
, whom RSL defeated in the 2009 MLS Cup.
, The Loyalists, RCB (Rogue Cavaliers Brigade), SCU (Salt City United), Section 26, La Barra Real, Union de Real, TRP (The Royal Pride), and the newest group The Royal Army. All supporters groups except Section 26 and The Royal Army (which is dispersed throughout the stadium) sit in the south stands.
anthem, "Iron Lion Zion
". It was decided after an internal vote, because it fit the team's criteria for a celebration song. The team anthem
is called "The Mighty R-E-A-L" and is performed by Indie rock
group and Utah natives Meg & Dia
. There is an alternate anthem created by Alban and Tony of the CBG called "RSL Anthem.". Alban and Tony made yet another song upon Real Salt Lake clinching a spot in the MLS Championship game. The song is called "Glory RSL" and can also be searched on YouTube.
When a goal is scored by Real Salt Lake in Rio Tinto Stadium, the song "The Sweet Escape
" by Gwen Stefani
is played throughout the stadium.
. Additional sponsors include JetBlue Airways
and Kentucky Fried Chicken.
AM 700 (English) and KTUB
AM 1600 (Spanish). KUTV handles local television broadcasts, with most matches broadcast on KUTV's digital television
channels.
games, but are not part of the senior roster.
Freddy Adu
(2007) Gustavo Cabrera (2005) Jeff Cunningham
(2006–07) Kenny Deuchar
(2008) Alecko Eskandarian
(2007–08) Robbie Findley
(2007–10) Scott Garlick
(2006) Chris Klein
(2006–07) Jason Kreis
(2005–07) Clint Mathis
(2005, 2008–09) Yura Movsisyan
(2007–09) Eddie Pope
(2005–07) Robbie Russell
(2008–11) Douglas Sequeira (2006) Luis Tejada
(2007)
MLS regular season only, through end of 2011 season
Sandy, Utah
Sandy is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. It is a suburb of Salt Lake City. The population was 87,461 at the 2010 census, making it the sixth-largest city in Utah....
, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
(MLS), the top professional soccer league in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. They currently play their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won the MLS Cup in 2009, and reached the final of the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League
2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League
The 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League was the 3rd edition of the CONCACAF Champions League under its current format. The tournament began on July 27, 2010 and ended on April 27, 2011. Monterrey of Mexico won their first title, defeating Real Salt Lake of the United States 3-2 on aggregate in the...
. The team's head coach is former United States international Jason Kreis
Jason Kreis
Jason Clarence Kreis is an American soccer coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer....
.
History
Major League Soccer awarded an expansion franchise on July 14, 2004 to SCP Worldwide, headed by Dave CheckettsDave Checketts
David W. Checketts is an American businessman, founder and chairman SCP Worldwide, sits on the board of JetBlue Airways, and is the owner of the soccer club Real Salt Lake.- Career :...
. RSL became the 12th MLS franchise and began play on April 2, 2005 in a match against the New York Metrostars. Future coach Jason Kreis became the first player in RSL history, coming in a trade from the Dallas Burn, and also scored the club’s first goal.
RSL’s first few years in MLS were marked by heavy losses and player turnover. Led by coach John Ellinger
John Ellinger
John Ellinger is a former American soccer coach of the Under-17 United States men's national soccer team, and former head coach of Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer....
, the first season included a 10-match losing streak in route to a 5-22-5 inaugural season. RSL added veterans Clint Mathis
Clint Mathis
Clint Mathis is a retired American soccer player.-Youth and college:Mathis played club soccer at a young age for Rockdale Youth Soccer Association, and then for AFC Lightning, a Georgia powerhouse producing players such as current U.S. international Ricardo Clark, in Fayetteville...
, Eddie Pope
Eddie Pope
George Edward Pope is a retired American soccer player who last played for Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer and spent eleven years as a defender for the United States national team. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.-Youth:Born in Greensboro, he attended Southwest Guilford...
, and Jeff Cunningham
Jeff Cunningham
Jeff Cunningham is a Jamaican-born American soccer player who played on multiple Major League Soccer teams. He is the MLS all-time leader in goals scored with 134.-College:...
to these early teams.
In 2007, RSL Jason Kreis was hired as the new manager midseason and retired as an active player. Working with new General Manager Garth Lagerwey
Garth Lagerwey
Garth Lagerwey is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who played five seasons in Major League Soccer. He is currently the vice president and general manager of Real Salt Lake....
, RSL added several key players including Kyle Beckerman
Kyle Beckerman
Kyle Beckerman is an American soccer player who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer and the United States national team. He is a holding midfielder and also serves as team captain for Real Salt Lake.-Youth:Beckerman began his career participating in various youth leagues in...
, Robbie Findley
Robbie Findley
Robert "Robbie" Findley is an American international soccer player who plays professionally for English club Nottingham Forest...
, Javier Morales
Javier Morales
Javier Morales is an Argentine footballer who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.-Argentina:...
, Nat Borchers
Nat Borchers
Nat Borchers is an American soccer player who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
and Jamison Olave
Jámison Olave
Jámison Olave is a Colombian footballer who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.-Career:Olave played for a multitude of clubs in his native Colombia, before returning to his first club, Deportivo Cali...
. RSL advanced to the playoff for the first time in 2008.
RSL won the 2009 MLS Cup by defeating the Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
in the November 22 final at Qwest Field. RSL played the L.A. Galaxy to a 1–1 tie through overtime and won the MLS cup (5–4 on penalties) to complete the upset. Goalkeeper Nick Rimando
Nick Rimando
Nicholas Paul "Nick" Rimando is an American soccer player who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer and the United States national team-College:...
was named Man of the Match.
In 2011, RSL became the first MLS team to ever reach the CONCACAF
CONCACAF
The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football is the continental governing body for association football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean...
Champions League Final, losing to Monterrey 3-2.
Stadium
- Rice-Eccles StadiumRice-Eccles StadiumRice-Eccles Stadium is an outdoor college football stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, on the campus of the University of Utah. It is the home field of the Utah Utes of the Pacific-12 Conference...
; Salt Lake City, UtahSalt Lake City, UtahSalt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
(2005–2008) - Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, UtahSandy, UtahSandy is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. It is a suburb of Salt Lake City. The population was 87,461 at the 2010 census, making it the sixth-largest city in Utah....
(2008–present)
In 2005 a soccer-specific stadium
Soccer-specific stadium
Soccer-specific stadium is a term used mainly in the United States, Canada, Australia and South Korea coined by Lamar Hunt, to refer to a sports stadium either purpose built or fundamentally redesigned for soccer and whose primary function is to host soccer matches, as opposed to a multipurpose...
for the team was approved for Sandy
Sandy, Utah
Sandy is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. It is a suburb of Salt Lake City. The population was 87,461 at the 2010 census, making it the sixth-largest city in Utah....
, a suburb of Salt Lake City. However, funding for the stadium was still hard to come by. A vote in early 2006 struck down a funding proposal for the stadium. However, Tom Dolan, the mayor of Sandy, said that he would not give up on his fight to approve the proposal in Sandy. The funding plan was revised, but was struck down later in 2006 over disagreements in the appropriation of millions of hotel-tax dollars for a financially unproven sports franchise. The proposal for Sandy was declared "dead" by Checketts at that point, putting the team's future in doubt. Dave Checketts
Dave Checketts
David W. Checketts is an American businessman, founder and chairman SCP Worldwide, sits on the board of JetBlue Airways, and is the owner of the soccer club Real Salt Lake.- Career :...
said that he wanted the team to remain in Utah, but would sell it if a proposal was not put forward by August 12, 2006.
Parties from several cities, including Rochester, New York and St Louis, Missouri, expressed interest in purchasing the franchise and moving it. Other stadium sites in the area were also proposed, including the Utah State Fairgrounds in Salt Lake, and the tiny town of Vineyard
Vineyard, Utah
Vineyard is a town in Utah County, Utah, United States. It is part of the Provo–Orem, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 150 at the 2000 census.Vineyard first became a distinct place in 1899.-Geography:...
, just west of Provo
Provo, Utah
Provo is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Utah, located about south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. Provo is the county seat of Utah County and lies between the cities of Orem to the north and Springville to the south...
. Finally, on the very day Checketts had set as a deadline to have a stadium plan in place or decide to sell the team, and after months of up and down discussions with local municipalities, county, and state officials and a change in the funding structure, a tacit agreement between Checkets, Sandy City, and Salt Lake County was put in place, and Real Salt Lake announced that they would move forward with the construction of Real Salt Lake Stadium, which would ultimately be named Rio Tinto Stadium. The groundbreaking, coinciding with the Xango Cup, Real's match against international power Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
, took place that afternoon featuring elected leaders, team officials, as well as the entire rosters of both Real Salt Lake and Real Madrid. On August 15, the deal was officially approved by the Salt Lake County Council.
The stadium plan encountered difficulties however after the Debt Review Committee of Salt Lake County voted against the stadium proposal 4–0 on January 26, 2007 citing what they saw as Real Salt Lake's financial inviability as the reasoning behind the lack of support. County mayor Corroon concurred with the DRC and the stadium plan was effectively killed on January 29, 2007. In response Real Salt Lake's owner announced the team would be sold and likely move out of the Salt Lake area after the 2007 season.
The Sandy Stadium proposal was not completely dead, however: a new stadium proposal was made on February 2, that would divert 15 percent, roughly $2 million a year, of the county's hotel taxes to the stadium project beginning in July until 2017. Such a deal would have to have been made by February 9, or the deal would have been completely off. The bill was passed by the State Senate.
After Governor Huntsman made a move that would allow the team to remain in Salt Lake County: the Utah House approved House bill 1SHB38, by a 48–24 margin, effectively approving $35 million towards the development of Real Salt Lake's new home. The governor was expected to sign the bill, and ultimately did so.
Sandy City, along with the state of Utah and representatives of the team, finally came to an agreement regarding the placement of the Real stadium. The deal was shot down about a week prior to the agreement by the Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon saying it was too risky. However, Utah's governor, Jon Huntsman, Jr. said that soccer was here to stay. The $110 million dollar stadium was built in Sandy
Sandy, Utah
Sandy is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. It is a suburb of Salt Lake City. The population was 87,461 at the 2010 census, making it the sixth-largest city in Utah....
, a suburb of Salt Lake City. Rossetti's California office was the architecture firm responsible for the design of the new stadium. The stadium's opening date was set for October 9, 2008, when Real Salt Lake hosted the New York Red Bulls
Red Bull New York
The New York Red Bulls are an American professional soccer team based in Harrison, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The team competes in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
.
Name
The title "Real" (reˈal) is derived from the Spanish languageSpanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
where it is traditionally used by certain Spanish football clubs, the best known being Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
of La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
. Meaning "royal" in English, it is traditionally taken by teams that are given the title by the King of Spain whether through favoritism or otherwise. In 2006, Real Salt Lake established a relationship Real Madrid, reinforcing the bond between the club and its Spanish inspiration.
Dave Checketts
Dave Checketts
David W. Checketts is an American businessman, founder and chairman SCP Worldwide, sits on the board of JetBlue Airways, and is the owner of the soccer club Real Salt Lake.- Career :...
and SCP Worldwide partners Dean Howes
Dean Howes
Dean Howes is a Partner in SCP Worldwide, a New York City based sports, entertainment and media company founded in 2002. Dean and SCP Worldwide recently purchased the National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues and the newly re-named Scottrade Center. In addition, SCP also owns the Real Salt Lake...
, Kenneth Munoz, Michael McCarthy, and Chris Bevilacqua chose Real Salt Lake for the team's name because they desired to associate the team with a successful soccer club, Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
, as well as to develop a brand that was clearly associated with association football.
The choice of Real Salt Lake was initially met with derision in the fan community, as many fans thought the name should more accurately reflect the Salt Lake area. Other team names considered were Salt Lake City Highlanders, Salt Lake Soccer Club, Alliance Soccer Club and Union SLC. However, in recent years, criticism from local fans and the media has waned, and the club has instituted a formal relationship with Real Madrid.
Real Madrid and Youth Academy
As of September of the 2006 seasonMajor League Soccer 2006 season
The 2006 Major League Soccer season was the 11th season in league history. It began on April 1, 2006 and ended with MLS Cup 2006 on November 12, 2006 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas for the second consecutive year in a row.-Changes from 2005 Season:...
, Real Salt Lake and Real Madrid have signed a 10-year co-operative agreement. Among the provisions of the deal are a biennial friendly match between the two teams to take place in Salt Lake City, annual February training for RSL at the Real Madrid practice facility in Spain, and, perhaps most importantly, the creation of a $25 million elite youth academy in SLC that will train up to 200 players from ages 12 to 18. The academy, a co-operative project for which Real Madrid will pay half the cost, will include academic facilities and dormitory housing, arguably becoming the first true soccer "youth system" in MLS. In this sense, it is part of a growing league-wide trend toward the emphasis of youth development, a trend which has been encouraged by the main office and jump-started by the league's decision to allow individual teams to maintain rights to the products of potential youth development systems.
Rivalries
RSL's major rivals are the Colorado RapidsColorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
, which it competes with for the annual Rocky Mountain Cup
Rocky Mountain Cup
The Rocky Mountain Cup is a soccer trophy awarded to the fans of the yearly winner of the rivalry between the Real Salt Lake and Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer teams. The Cup is awarded by the Committee of 10, the fans who run the competition, to the team with the most points in games played...
. With Major League Soccer's expansion in 2005, Real Salt Lake became the second team in the Rocky Mountain region and the Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
' closest neighbor. The supporters of the two clubs created a competition between the two sides to foster and memorialize this budding rivalry. Colorado won the Rocky Mountain Cup
Rocky Mountain Cup
The Rocky Mountain Cup is a soccer trophy awarded to the fans of the yearly winner of the rivalry between the Real Salt Lake and Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer teams. The Cup is awarded by the Committee of 10, the fans who run the competition, to the team with the most points in games played...
in its inaugural year, 9 points to 3, and successfully defended the Cup in 2006 by a margin of 7 points to 4. Real Salt Lake won the Rocky Mountain Cup
Rocky Mountain Cup
The Rocky Mountain Cup is a soccer trophy awarded to the fans of the yearly winner of the rivalry between the Real Salt Lake and Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer teams. The Cup is awarded by the Committee of 10, the fans who run the competition, to the team with the most points in games played...
in the 2007 Season, 7 points to 4 points, and defended the cup successfully in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.
Other teams considered rivals for Real Salt Lake are Chivas USA, which also joined Major League Soccer in 2005, FC Dallas
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
, a team that Real have never beaten away from home and is the former team of RSL head coach Jason Kries, and the Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
, whom RSL defeated in the 2009 MLS Cup.
Supporters groups
Real Salt Lake has eight official supporters groupsSupporters groups
Supporters groups or supporters clubs are independent fan clubs in association football, particularly in English speaking counties.Supporters groups in Europe are generally known as Ultras which derives from the Latin word deriving from ultrā, meaning beyond in English, with the implication that...
, The Loyalists, RCB (Rogue Cavaliers Brigade), SCU (Salt City United), Section 26, La Barra Real, Union de Real, TRP (The Royal Pride), and the newest group The Royal Army. All supporters groups except Section 26 and The Royal Army (which is dispersed throughout the stadium) sit in the south stands.
Songs
The post-victory song is the Bob MarleyBob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
anthem, "Iron Lion Zion
Iron Lion Zion
"Iron Lion Zion" is a song written and recorded in April 1973 or 1974 by Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley and first released posthumously in May 1992 on the Songs of Freedom box set, reaching number 5 in the UK Singles Chart, . A remixed version was released in 1995 on Natural Mystic: The...
". It was decided after an internal vote, because it fit the team's criteria for a celebration song. The team anthem
Fight song
A fight song is primarily an American and Canadian sports term, referring to a song associated with a team. In both professional and amateur sports, fight songs are a popular way for fans to cheer for their team...
is called "The Mighty R-E-A-L" and is performed by Indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
group and Utah natives Meg & Dia
Meg & Dia
Meg & Dia is an American rock band formed in 2004. It was founded by sisters Meg and Dia Frampton, and is now a five-piece act with additional members Nicholas Price, Jonathan Snyder and Carlo Gimenez....
. There is an alternate anthem created by Alban and Tony of the CBG called "RSL Anthem.". Alban and Tony made yet another song upon Real Salt Lake clinching a spot in the MLS Championship game. The song is called "Glory RSL" and can also be searched on YouTube.
When a goal is scored by Real Salt Lake in Rio Tinto Stadium, the song "The Sweet Escape
The Sweet Escape (song)
"The Sweet Escape" is a song by American recording artist Gwen Stefani from her second solo album, The Sweet Escape . It was written by Stefani, Akon, and Giorgio Tuinfort. Akon, who is also a featured artist, developed the song's beat before collaborating with Stefani...
" by Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani
Gwen Renée Stefani is an American singer-songwriter and fashion designer. Stefani is the lead vocalist for the rock and ska band No Doubt. Stefani recorded her first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. in 2004. The album was inspired by music of the 1980s, and was a success with sales of over...
is played throughout the stadium.
Sponsorship
On November 17, 2006, RSL announced a multi-million dollar jersey sponsorship deal with XanGoXanGo
XANGO, LLC, founded in 2002, is a privately owned international network marketing company based in Lehi, Utah. The company markets and distributes XANGO Juice, a blended juice product consisting of mangosteen and other juices, and skin care, personal care, energy supplement and nutritional...
. Additional sponsors include JetBlue Airways
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue Airways Corporation is an American low-cost airline. The company is headquartered in the Forest Hills neighborhood of the New York City borough of Queens. Its main base is John F. Kennedy International Airport, also in Queens....
and Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Broadcasting
Radio broadcasts are on KALLKALL
KALL, "ESPN 700", is an all-sports radio station in the Salt Lake City, Utah area. The listed owner is Utah Radio Acquisitions, LLC.Program highlights include live play-by-play of University of Utah football and basketball and Real Salt Lake soccer, Mike and Mike in the Morning, The Herd with...
AM 700 (English) and KTUB
KTUB
KTUB is a radio station broadcasting a Spanish Oldies format. Licensed to Centerville, Utah, United States, it serves the Salt Lake City area. The station is currently owned by Bustos Media of Utah License, LLC. KTUB provides Spanish language broadcasts for Real Salt Lake of Major League...
AM 1600 (Spanish). KUTV handles local television broadcasts, with most matches broadcast on KUTV's digital television
Digital television
Digital television is the transmission of audio and video by digital signals, in contrast to the analog signals used by analog TV...
channels.
Current roster
As of November 29, 2011.Reserve Team Players
This list shows players who have played for the team in official 2011 MLS Reserve Division2011 MLS Reserve Division
The new MLS Reserve League was resurrected for the 2011 season, after not having played since 2008. Each team will play 10 games against divisional opponenets, with clubs being allowed schedule additional games against non-MLS opponents. The schedule begins March 20 and tentatively concludes Oct...
games, but are not part of the senior roster.
Notable former players
This list of former players includes those who received international caps while playing for the team, made significant contributions to the team in terms of appearances or goals while playing for the team, or who made significant contributions to the sport either before they played for the team, or after they left. It is clearly not yet complete and all inclusive, and additions and refinements will continue to be made over time.Freddy Adu
Freddy Adu
Fredua Koranteng "Freddy" Adu is a Ghanaian-born American soccer player who currently plays for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer. He plays primarily as an attacking midfielder, but he is also used as a winger or forward....
(2007) Gustavo Cabrera (2005) Jeff Cunningham
Jeff Cunningham
Jeff Cunningham is a Jamaican-born American soccer player who played on multiple Major League Soccer teams. He is the MLS all-time leader in goals scored with 134.-College:...
(2006–07) Kenny Deuchar
Kenny Deuchar
Kenneth Robert John "Kenny" Deuchar is a Scottish professional footballer currently playing as a striker for Livingston.In 2005, Deuchar equaled Jimmy Greaves's British record of six league hat-tricks in a single season. He is also a practicing medical doctor...
(2008) Alecko Eskandarian
Alecko Eskandarian
Alecko Eskandarian is a former American soccer player who last played for Los Angeles Galaxy. He currently is the youth technical director for Philadelphia Union.-High School and College:...
(2007–08) Robbie Findley
Robbie Findley
Robert "Robbie" Findley is an American international soccer player who plays professionally for English club Nottingham Forest...
(2007–10) Scott Garlick
Scott Garlick
Scott Garlick is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who last played for Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer.Garlick went on trial to Waterford United in 1994...
(2006) Chris Klein
Chris Klein (soccer)
Chris Klein is a former American soccer player.Klein spent the entirety of his 12-year professional career playing in Major League Soccer, for the Kansas City Wizards, Real Salt Lake and Los Angeles Galaxy, winning the MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield with Kansas in 2000, and the Supporters' Shield...
(2006–07) Jason Kreis
Jason Kreis
Jason Clarence Kreis is an American soccer coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer....
(2005–07) Clint Mathis
Clint Mathis
Clint Mathis is a retired American soccer player.-Youth and college:Mathis played club soccer at a young age for Rockdale Youth Soccer Association, and then for AFC Lightning, a Georgia powerhouse producing players such as current U.S. international Ricardo Clark, in Fayetteville...
(2005, 2008–09) Yura Movsisyan
Yura Movsisyan
Yura Movsisyan is an Armenian-American footballer who currently plays for the Armenian national football team and Krasnodar in the Russian Premier League. Yura Movsisyan is the cousin of former Real Salt Lake player Artur Aghasyan....
(2007–09) Eddie Pope
Eddie Pope
George Edward Pope is a retired American soccer player who last played for Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer and spent eleven years as a defender for the United States national team. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.-Youth:Born in Greensboro, he attended Southwest Guilford...
(2005–07) Robbie Russell
Robbie Russell (soccer)
Robbie Russell is a Ghanaian-born American soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer.-College:...
(2008–11) Douglas Sequeira (2006) Luis Tejada
Luis Tejada
Luis "Matador" Tejada is a Panamanian professional association football striker. He currently plays for Juan Aurich of the Peruvian Primera División and the Panamanian national team.-Club career:...
(2007)
- See also All-time Real Salt Lake rosterAll-time Real Salt Lake rosterThis list comprises all players who have participated in at least one league match for Real Salt Lake since the team's first Major League Soccer season in 2005...
Achievements
- CONCACAF Champions LeagueCONCACAF Champions LeagueThe CONCACAF Champions League is the annual international club football championship for teams from the CONCACAF region ....
- Runners-up (1): 2010-11
- MLS CupMLS CupThe MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...
- Winners (1): 2009MLS Cup 2009The 2009 MLS Cup was the championship match of the 2009 Major League Soccer season, the 14th season of the league. The final was played at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington on November 22, 2009. The match was contested by Eastern Conference champion Real Salt Lake and Western Conference champion...
- Winners (1): 2009
- MLS Supporters' ShieldMLS Supporters' ShieldThe Supporters' Shield is an annual award given to the Major League Soccer team with the best regular season record, as determined by the MLS points system...
- Runners-up (1): 2010
- MLS Eastern Conference
- Winners (Playoff) (1): 2009
- Minor Trophies
- Rocky Mountain CupRocky Mountain CupThe Rocky Mountain Cup is a soccer trophy awarded to the fans of the yearly winner of the rivalry between the Real Salt Lake and Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer teams. The Cup is awarded by the Committee of 10, the fans who run the competition, to the team with the most points in games played...
: (5) 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 - Carolina Challenge CupCarolina Challenge CupThe Carolina Challenge Cup is a four-team round robin pre-season competition hosted by the Charleston Battery. It was started in 2004 and features teams from Major League Soccer and the United Soccer Leagues. The Columbus Crew edged out D.C. United on goal differential to win the 2004 competition,...
: (1) 2009
- Rocky Mountain Cup
Year-by-year
| Year | Regular Season | Playoffs | US Open Cup | CONCACAF Champions' League |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5th, West | Did not qualify | Third Round | Did not qualify |
| 2006 | 6th, West | Did not qualify | Fourth Round | Did not qualify |
| 2007 | 6th, West | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2008 | 3rd, West | Semi-Finals | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2009 2009 Real Salt Lake season The 2009 Real Salt Lake season was the fifth season of the team's existence. After clinching the eighth and final spot in the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs, Real Salt Lake would go on to defeat the Los Angeles Galaxy in the 2009 MLS Cup... |
5th, West | Champions | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2010 2010 Real Salt Lake season The 2010 Real Salt Lake season was the sixth year of the club's existence. It was also the sixth year for the club in Major League Soccer and the sixth-consecutive year for the club in the top-flight of American soccer.... |
2nd, West | Quarter-Finals | Did not qualify | Finals (2010–11) |
| 2011 2011 Real Salt Lake season The 2011 Real Salt Lake season is the club's seventh year of existence, as well as their seventh season in Major League Soccer, and their seventh consecutive season in the top-flight of American soccer.... |
3rd, West | Semi-Finals | Quarter-Finals | Did not qualify (2011–12) |
| 2012 | Qualified (2012–13) |
Year-by-year stats
| Year | League Record | Top Scorer | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | L | D | F | A | Pts | Name | G | |
| 2005 | 32 | 5 | 22 | 2 | 30 | 65 | 20 | Jason Kreis Jason Kreis Jason Clarence Kreis is an American soccer coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.... |
9 |
| 2006 | 32 | 10 | 13 | 9 | 45 | 49 | 39 | Jeff Cunningham Jeff Cunningham Jeff Cunningham is a Jamaican-born American soccer player who played on multiple Major League Soccer teams. He is the MLS all-time leader in goals scored with 134.-College:... |
16 |
| 2007 | 30 | 6 | 15 | 9 | 31 | 45 | 27 | Chris Brown | 5 |
| 2008 | 30 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 40 | 39 | 40 | Yura Movsisyan Yura Movsisyan Yura Movsisyan is an Armenian-American footballer who currently plays for the Armenian national football team and Krasnodar in the Russian Premier League. Yura Movsisyan is the cousin of former Real Salt Lake player Artur Aghasyan.... |
7 |
| 2009 | 30 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 43 | 35 | 40 | Robbie Findley Robbie Findley Robert "Robbie" Findley is an American international soccer player who plays professionally for English club Nottingham Forest... |
12 |
| 2010 | 30 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 45 | 20 | 56 | Álvaro Saborío Álvaro Saborío Álvaro Alberto Saborío Chacón is a Costa Rican footballer, who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer and the Costa Rica national football team.-Deportivo Saprissa:... |
12 |
| 2011 | 34 | 15 | 11 | 8 | 44 | 36 | 53 | Álvaro Saborío Álvaro Saborío Álvaro Alberto Saborío Chacón is a Costa Rican footballer, who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer and the Costa Rica national football team.-Deportivo Saprissa:... |
14 |
| Total | 218 | 72 | 87 | 56 | 278 | 289 | 275 | Robbie Findley Robbie Findley Robert "Robbie" Findley is an American international soccer player who plays professionally for English club Nottingham Forest... |
29 |
International tournaments
- 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League
-
- Group Stage v.
Cruz Azul -- 3:1, 4:5 - Group Stage v.
Toronto FCToronto FCToronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
-- 4:1, 1:1 - Group Stage v.
Árabe Unido -- 2:1, 3:2 - Quarterfinals v.
Columbus CrewColumbus CrewThe Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
-- 0:0, 4:1 - Semifinals v.
Deportivo SaprissaC.D. SaprissaDeportivo Saprissa S.A.D. is a Costa Rican sports club, mostly known for its football team. The club is located in San Juan de Tibás, San José, and plays their home games at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá....
-- 2:0, 1:2 - Finals v. Monterrey -- 2:2, 0:1
- Group Stage v.
Team records
- Total Games:
Andy WilliamsAndy Williams (soccer)Andrew "Andy" Williams is a Canadian-born Jamaican footballer who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.-College:...
- 189 (2005–present) - Career Goals: Robbie FindleyRobbie FindleyRobert "Robbie" Findley is an American international soccer player who plays professionally for English club Nottingham Forest...
- 29 (2007–2010) - Career Assists:
Javier MoralesJavier MoralesJavier Morales is an Argentine footballer who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.-Argentina:...
- 34 (2007–present) - Career Shutouts: Nick RimandoNick RimandoNicholas Paul "Nick" Rimando is an American soccer player who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer and the United States national team-College:...
- 51 (2007–present) - Single Season Goals: Jeff CunninghamJeff CunninghamJeff Cunningham is a Jamaican-born American soccer player who played on multiple Major League Soccer teams. He is the MLS all-time leader in goals scored with 134.-College:...
- 16 (2006) - Single Season Assists: Javier MoralesJavier MoralesJavier Morales is an Argentine footballer who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.-Argentina:...
- 15 (2008) - Single Season Shutouts: Nick RimandoNick RimandoNicholas Paul "Nick" Rimando is an American soccer player who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer and the United States national team-College:...
- 14 (2010)
MLS regular season only, through end of 2011 season
- All-Time regular season record: 57–76–51 (Through November 7, 2011)
MLS records
- Fewest goals allowed: 20Record was set in the 2010 season.(previous record 23, Houston 2007)
- Overall goal difference: +25(previous record +22, San Jose 2005 and D.C. United 2007)
- Home goal difference: +24 (previous record +23, Real Salt Lake 2009)
- Total home points (30-game season): 37 (previous record 35, Columbus 2009)
- Fewest home losses: 0 (equals previous record set by San Jose in 2005)
- Fewest home goals allowed: 7 (previous record 8, Colorado 2004)
- Longest home unbeaten streak in an MLS regular season: 29
Player awards
Awards given by the MLS to Real Salt Lake players.- 2006 "MLS Golden Boot" Jeff CunninghamJeff CunninghamJeff Cunningham is a Jamaican-born American soccer player who played on multiple Major League Soccer teams. He is the MLS all-time leader in goals scored with 134.-College:...
- 2009 "MLS Cup Most Valuable Player" Nick RimandoNick RimandoNicholas Paul "Nick" Rimando is an American soccer player who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer and the United States national team-College:...
- 2010 "MLS Defender of the Year"
Jámison OlaveJámison OlaveJámison Olave is a Colombian footballer who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.-Career:Olave played for a multitude of clubs in his native Colombia, before returning to his first club, Deportivo Cali... - 2010 "MLS Newcomer of the Year" Álvaro SaboríoÁlvaro SaboríoÁlvaro Alberto Saborío Chacón is a Costa Rican footballer, who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer and the Costa Rica national football team.-Deportivo Saprissa:...
Average attendance
Regular season / Play-offs- 2005: 18,037 / missed Play-offs
- 2006: 16,366 / missed Play-offs
- 2007: 15,960 / missed Play-offs
- 2008: 16,179 / 19,632
- 2009: 16,375 / 11,499
- 2010: 17,095 / 19,324