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Real Salt Lake
File:Real Salt Lake logo.png
Full nameReal Salt Lake
Nickname(s)
  • Claret and Cobalt
  • Royals
  • La Realeza
Founded2004
GroundRio Tinto Stadium
Sandy, Utah
Capacity20,213[1]
OwnerDell Loy Hansen
Head CoachJeff Cassar
LeagueMajor League Soccer
2014Western Conference: TBD
Overall: TBD
Playoffs: TBD
Websitehttp://www.realsaltlake.com/
Current season

Real Salt Lake (RSL) is an American professional soccer club based in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes in Major League Soccer (MLS). RSL was one of two expansion teams awarded in 2004 that began play in MLS in 2005. They currently play their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won the 2009 MLS Cup and were runners-up of the 2013 MLS Cup, the 2010 MLS Supporters Shield, the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League, and the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The team's head coach is former MLS goalkeeper Jeff Cassar.

History

Robbie Russell (in red) scored RSL's winning penalty kick in the 2009 MLS Cup Final
Further information: History of Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake became the twelfth MLS franchise when Major League Soccer awarded an expansion franchise on July 14, 2004, to SCP Worldwide, headed by Dave Checketts. Jason Kreis became the first player in RSL history, coming in a trade from the Dallas Burn. RSL began play on April 2, 2005, in a match against the New York Metrostars. Jason Kreis 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 en route to a 5–22–5 record. RSL added veterans Clint Mathis, Eddie Pope and Jeff Cunningham to these early teams.

In 2007, Jason Kreis was hired midseason as RSL's new manager, 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 playoffs for the first time in 2008.[2]

Real Salt Lake 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.[3] The victory in the 2009 MLS Cup qualified RSL for the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League.

In 2010, Real Salt Lake finished second in the race for the Supporters Shield, but exited to FC Dallas in the first round of the playoffs. Goalkeeper Nick Rimando led the league with 14 shutouts, and Jámison Olave was named MLS Defender of the Year.

In 2011, Real Salt Lake became the first MLS team to ever reach the CONCACAF Champions League Finals, losing to Mexican club Monterrey 3–2 on aggregate.

In 2013, Real Salt Lake and Rio Tinto Stadium are under the full ownership of Dell Loy Hansen, a Salt Lake City real estate investor and formerly the club's minority owner. Hansen acquired full ownership from former owner and club creator Dave Checketts.[4] The club traded key players Jonny Steele, Jámison Olave, Fabián Espíndola and Will Johnson.[5] Real Salt Lake played in the 2013 MLS Cup, losing to Sporting Kansas City on a dramatic series of penalty kicks.

Colors and badge

The team's official colors are claret red, cobalt blue, and Real gold.[6]

Kit evolution

Home, away, and third kits.[7]

  • Home
2005
2006–2007
2008–2009
2010–2011
2012–2013
2014 [8][9]
  • Away
2005
2006–2007
2008–2009
2010–2011
2012–2014
  • Third/special
2008
2010–2011

Stadium

Rio Tinto Stadium, RSL's home stadium since 2008

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[10] 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,[11] 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.[12]

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.[13]

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.[14] Such a deal would have to have been made by February 9, or the deal would have been completely off.[15] The bill was passed by the State Senate.[16]

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,[17] 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 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.[18]

Club culture

Name

The title "Real" (Spanish pronunciation: [reˈal]) is derived from the Spanish language 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 with Real Madrid, reinforcing the bond between the club and its Spanish inspiration. Though Real Salt Lake was not originally affiliated with Real Madrid, in 2006 the two clubs signed an agreement to play friendly matches every two years, and to co-sponsor a soccer academy and training facility in Utah.[19] 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`,[citation needed] as well as to develop a brand that was clearly associated with association football.

The choice of Real Salt Lake was initially met with some derision in the fan community, as many fans thought the name sounded contrived and should instead reflect the Salt Lake area.[20] Other team names considered were Salt Lake City Highlanders, Salt Lake Soccer Club, Alliance Soccer Club and Union SLC.[21] However, in recent years, criticism from local fans and the media has waned, and the club has instituted a formal relationship with Real Madrid.[22]

Association with Real Madrid

As of September of the 2006 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 Salt Lake City that will train up to 200 players from ages 12 to 18.[23] 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.[citation needed] 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 Rapids, 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 2008–2012.

The team also maintains a smaller rivalry with the Los Angeles Galaxy, whom they defeated in the 2009 MLS Cup and were runner-up to for the 2010 MLS Supporters Shield.

Supporters groups

Real Salt Lake has eight official supporters groups: The Loyalists, Rogue Cavaliers Brigade (RCB), Salt City United (SCU), Section 26, La Barra Real, Union de Real, The Royal Pride (TRP),[24] and The Royal Army. Except for Section 26 and The Royal Army (which is dispersed throughout the stadium), all supporters groups sit in the south stands.

Mascot

Leo the Lion on his throne at a "Meet the Players" event, Aug 2010

Leo the Lion is the official mascot of Real Salt Lake.

Songs

During the initial tenancy at Rio Tinto Stadium, the post-victory song was the Bob Marley anthem, "Iron Lion Zion". It was decided after an internal vote, because it fit the team's criteria for a celebration song.[citation needed]

In 2011, Branden Steineckert of the group Rancid, an avid RSL supporter, composed the song "Believe" for fans to sing as the new RSL song.[25] It is now played throughout the stadium prior to and during the kickoff and after every RSL goal.[citation needed]

Revenue and profitability

As Real Salt Lake is a small-market team, one of the team's biggest challenges is bringing in enough revenue to remain competitive.[26] Opening Rio Tinto Stadium in October 2008 provided a significant revenue boost to the team. Real Salt Lake went from 4,000 season-ticket holders before October 2008, to 8,750 in 2012, and passed 10,000 in 2013.[27]

Sponsors

RSL has a multi-million dollar sponsorship deal with LifeVantage.[28] It previously had a multi-million dollar deal with XanGo a nutritional supplements company based in Utah, to carry the Xango logo on the front of RSL jerseys from the 2007 season until 2014.[29] Additional sponsors include JetBlue Airways[30] and Maverik, Inc.[31]

Broadcasting

Radio broadcasts are on KALL AM 700 (English) and KTUB AM 1600 (Spanish). KTVX and KUCW are set to handle local television broadcasts for the 2012 season. With 10 games being broadcast on KTVX and 20 games on KUCW for the 2012 season. Bill Riley enters his eighth year as an RSL play-by-play personality on radio and TV, while 10-year MLS veteran and “RSL Original” Brian Dunseth assumes color analyst duties on RSL broadcasts for a seventh consecutive season.[32]

Players and staff

Current roster

As of July 25, 2013.[33]

No. Position Player Nation
1 GK Lalo Fernández  Mexico
2 DF Tony Beltran  United States
3 DF Kwame Watson-Siriboe  United States
4 DF Aaron Maund  United States
5 MF Kyle Beckerman (Captain)  United States
6 DF Nat Borchers  United States
7 MF Jordan Allen (HGP)  United States
8 FW Joao Plata  Ecuador
10 FW Robbie Findley  United States
11 MF Javier Morales (DP)  Argentina
12 MF Cole Grossman  United States
13 FW Olmes García  Colombia
15 FW Álvaro Saborío (DP)  Costa Rica
16 DF Carlos Salcedo (HGP)  Mexico
17 DF Chris Wingert  United States
18 GK Nick Rimando  United States
19 MF Luke Mulholland  England
20 MF Ned Grabavoy  United States
21 MF Luis Gil (GA)  United States
22 FW Benji Lopez (HGP)  United States
24 GK Jeff Attinella  United States
25 DF Rich Balchan  United States
26 MF Sebastián Velásquez  Colombia
27 MF John Stertzer  United States
28 DF Chris Schuler  United States
29 DF Abdoulie Mansally  Gambia
49 FW Devon Sandoval  United States

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.

Players with 100 appearances or more

  • Only regular season matches counted towards all-time records. Stats from MLS play offs, U.S. Open Cup, Super Liga, and CONCACAF Champions league are not included.
  • Updated as of March 10, 2014.
Rank Player Nation Games Goals Years
1 Nick Rimando  USA 202 0 2007–present
2 Andy Williams  JAM 189 14 2005-2011
3 Kyle Beckerman  USA 178 21 2007–present
4 Chris Wingert  USA 175 1 2007–present
5 Nat Borchers  USA 174 9 2008–present
6 Javier Morales  ARG 156 28 2007–present
7 Tony Beltran  USA 136 0 2008–present
8 Ned Grabavoy  USA 127 8 2009–present
9 Fabián Espíndola  ARG 125 35 2007-2012
10 Robbie Findley  USA 121 35 2007-2010, 2013–present
11 Jámison Olave  COL 120 10 2008-2012
12 Will Johnson  CAN 114 9 2008-2012

Retired numbers

Team captains

Head coaches

  • Includes MLS regular Season, MLS Playoffs, CONCACAF Champions League, and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
  • Ties count as half a win for win percentage.
  • Updated as of March 10, 2014
Coach Nation Start End Games Win loss Tie Win %
John Ellinger  USA Jan 2005 May 3, 2007 71 16 39 16 0.338
Jason Kreis  USA May 3, 2007 December 10, 2013 261 112 85 64 0.552
Jeff Cassar  USA December 18, 2013 present 1 1 0 0 1.000
File:Rocky Mountian Cup.jpg
Rocky Mountain Cup 2011

Honors

  • MLS Cup
    • Winners (1): 2009
    • Runners Up (1): 2013

Record

Main article: List of Real Salt Lake seasons

Year-by-year

Year Regular season Playoffs US Open Cup CONCACAF
Champions' League
2005 5th, West (5–22–5) Did not qualify Third round Did not qualify
2006 6th, West (10-13-9) Did not qualify Fourth round Did not qualify
2007 6th, West (6-15-9) Did not qualify Did not qualify Did not qualify
2008 3rd, West (10-10-10) Won Conference Semifinals (Chivas USA 3-2)
Lost Conference Finals (New York Red Bulls 0-1) 		Did not qualify Did not qualify
2009 5th, West (11-12-7) Won Conference Semifinals (Columbus Crew 4-2)
Won Conference Finals (Chicago Fire 5-4)
Won MLS Cup (Los Angeles Galaxy 5-4) 		Did not qualify Did not qualify
2010 2nd, West (15-4-11) Lost Conference Semifinals (FC Dallas 2-3) Did not qualify Runner Up (2010–11)
2011 3rd, West (15-11-8) Won Conference Semifinals (Seattle Sounders FC 3-2)
Lost Conference Finals (Los Angeles Galaxy 1-3) 		Quarter-Finals Did not qualify (2011–12)
2012 2nd, West (17-11-6) Lost Conference Semifinals (Seattle Sounders FC 0-1) Third round Group stage (2012–13)
2013 2nd, West (16-10-8) Won Conference Semifinals (Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1)
Won Conference Finals (Portland Timbers 5-2)
Lost MLS Cup (Sporting Kansas City 1-2, 6-7 PK) 		Runner Up Did not qualify (2013–14)
2014 Did not qualify

Year-by-year stats

Year League record Top scorer
P W L D F A GD Pts Name G S.S.
2005 32 5 22 5 30 65 -35 20 Jason Kreis 90 11/12
2006 32 10 13 9 45 49 -4 39 Jeff Cunningham 16 10/12
2007 30 6 15 9 31 45 -14 27 Chris Brown 50 12/13
2008 30 10 10 10 40 39 +1 40 Yura Movsisyan 70 7/14
2009 30 11 12 7 43 35 +8 40 Robbie Findley 12 8/15
2010 30 15 4 11 45 20 +25 56 Álvaro Saborío 12 2/16
2011 34 15 11 8 44 36 +8 53 Álvaro Saborío 11 3/18
2012 34 17 11 6 46 35 +11 57 Álvaro Saborío 17 5/19
2013 34 16 10 8 57 41 +16 56 Álvaro Saborío 12 4/19
2014 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3 Joao Plata 1 /19
Total 287 106 108 73 382 365 +17 391 Álvaro Saborío 52

All-time regular season records

  • Players in Bold are still active
  • Only regular season matches counted towards all-time records. Stats from MLS play offs, U.S. Open Cup, Super Liga and CONCACAF Champions league are not included.
  • All stats are updated for all players as of October 26, 2013 [34]

Other team records and honors

Hat tricks

International tournaments

Group Stage v. Mexico Cruz Azul -- 3–1, 4–5
Group Stage v. Canada Toronto FC -- 4–1, 1–1
Group Stage v. Panama Árabe Unido -- 2–1, 3–2
Quarterfinals v. United States Columbus Crew -- 0–0, 4–1
Semifinals v. Costa Rica Deportivo Saprissa -- 2–0, 1–2
Finals v. Mexico Monterrey -- 2–2, 0–1
Group Stage v. Panama Tauro F.C. 2-0, 1-0
Group Stage v. Costa Rica C.S. Herediano 0-0, 0-1

Team records

MLS regular season only, through March 10, 2014

  • All-time regular season record: 105–108–73 (Through October 26, 2013)

MLS records

  • Fewest goals allowed: 20[note 1] (previous record 23, Houston 2007)
  • Overall goal difference: +25[note 1] (previous record +22, San Jose 2005 and D.C. United 2007)
  • Home goal difference: +24[note 1] (previous record +23, Real Salt Lake 2009)
  • Total home points (30-game season): 37[note 1] (previous record 35, Columbus 2009)
  • Fewest home losses: 0[note 1] (equals previous record set by San Jose in 2005)
  • Fewest home goals allowed: 7[note 1] (previous record 8, Colorado 2004)[35]

Player awards

Awards given by MLS to Real Salt Lake players.

MLS XI

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 / 17,364
  • 2009: 16,375 / 11,499
  • 2010: 17,095 / 19,324
  • 2011: 17,594 / 17,067
  • 2012: 19,153 / 19,657

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f Record was set in the 2010 season.

References

  1. ^ Real Salt Lake 2012 Media Guide (PDF), p. 3, retrieved June 20, 2012
  2. ^ "Winless RSL has coaching shake up". ESPN. September 1, 2011. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
  3. ^ "Salt Lake beat L.A. Galaxy to MLS title". ESPN. November 23, 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  4. ^ Nicholas Rosano (January 24, 2013). "Dell Loy Hansen acquires full ownership of Real Salt Lake". Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  5. ^ Michael Black (February 27, 2013). "2013 Real Salt Lake Preview: Revamp – not overhaul – should keep RSL in the hunt". Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  6. ^ Real Salt Lake colors[dead link]
  7. ^ "Real Salt Lake jerseys through the years « claretpapers". Claretpapers.wordpress.com. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  8. ^ RSL kit unveil: Gold bar features crown, reaction mixed
  9. ^ Let's Review the New MLS Jerseys--Part I
  10. ^ Rhinos confirm talk with MLS club in Utah[dead link]
  11. ^ Real Salt Lake joined by Real Madrid Saturday at 12:00 noon to break ground on Sandy stadium site[dead link]
  12. ^ KUTV news – Soccer stadium finally a ReALity[dead link]
  13. ^ "KSL Newsradio: Soccer stadium deal is dead". Deseretnews.com. January 29, 2007. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  14. ^ Jensen, Derek P. (February 2, 2007). "Stadium plan: It's ba-a-ack!". Sltrib.com. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  15. ^ "Stadium deal due by Friday — or else". Deseretnews.com. February 3, 2007. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  16. ^ Walsh, Rebecca (February 6, 2007). "Senate paves way for a Sandy stadium". Sltrib.com. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  17. ^ Utah House approves stadium funds[dead link]
  18. ^ "RSL confirms Oct. 9 stadium opening". The Salt Lake Tribune. August 5, 2008. Retrieved August 5, 2008. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ "Real Madrid will be back in '08". Findarticles.com. September 2, 2006. Retrieved October 11, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help) [dead link]
  20. ^ http://rslperspective.com/2013/01/24/a-new-day-for-real-salt-lake-as-dave-checketts-moves-on/
  21. ^ "USSoccerPlayers: Sounders Already Scoring". Ussoccerplayers.typepad.com. April 10, 2008. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  22. ^ Real Madrid will be back in '08[dead link]
  23. ^ Salt Lake Tribune article announcing the RSL-RM deal
  24. ^ "RSL Royal Army LTD Edition Scarf". Rslroyalarmy.com. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  25. ^ Real Salt Lake Chants, Retrieved: 11 February 2014
  26. ^ Sports Business Journal, MLS club presidents on the season ahead, March 4, 2013, http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2013/03/04/In-Depth/Presidents.aspx
  27. ^ Sports Business Journal, MLS club presidents on the season ahead, March 4, 2013, http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2013/03/04/In-Depth/Presidents.aspx
  28. ^ Salt Lake Tribune, RSL to switch jersey sponsor, Nov 22 2013, http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/57135002-79/company-lifevantage-xango-distributors.html.csp
  29. ^ PRWeb, XanGo Inks Historic Deal with Real Salt Lake, Nov. 21, 2006, http://www.prweb.com/releases/Real-Salt-Lake/Soccer-Jersey/prweb481467.htm
  30. ^ Real Salt Lake signs JetBlue as airline partner
  31. ^ Royal Partners
  32. ^ [1], RSL 2012 TV Schedule.
  33. ^ "Players". Real Salt Lake. February 23, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
  34. ^ "Statistics". Real Salt Lake. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  35. ^ Randy Davis (December 19, 2010). "The numbers behind RSL's record-setting season". Real Salt Lake. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
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