Leagues

Club History
Founded:
2005

Nicknames:
RSL

Stadium:
Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, UT

History:

Founded in 2005, Real Salt Lake marks a new direction in MLS’s strategy in the mid-level market. Owner Dave Checketts has two decades of experience running NBA teams, and a hands-on passion for the game. For their inaugural season, the team acquired several established stars in the forms of Jason Kreis, Clint Mathis, and Andy Williams. As would be expected, the team struggled in the first season finishing near the bottom of the Western Conference along with fellow expansion team Chivas. 

2006: Many changes were made for the second season including the departure of Mathis who was traded to Colorado for Jeff Cunningham.  That would be a bright spot for the club as Cunningham eventually went on to win the league’s Golden Boot for the 2006 season.  The team itself started out the season slow, but had a torrid pace of picking up points in the second half of the season.  Unfortunately they were unable to come away with some key wins at the end of the season and missed out on the playoffs.

2007: The excitement surrounding the team coming into 2007 was the addition of diminutive phenom Freddy Adu.  Adu contributed little to the team during the season and left for Europe midway through the year.  Original coach John Ellinger was fired leading to Jason Kreis hanging up his boots and taking over as the boss.  The team started a rebuilding process midway through the season, but once again could not reach the playoffs and finished last in the Western Conference.  Garth Lagerway was brought on board as General Manager.  Eddie Pope retired.
2008: Saw the completion of the rebuilding process for the team.  It also saw the emergence of Javier Morales and Jamison Olave.  The two South American’s were integral parts of the team reaching the playoffs for the first time and not stopping there, as they made it into the Western Conference Finals before falling to New York at home.  The highlight of the season was the opening of the Crown Jewel in Sandy: Rio Tinto Stadium.  Bill Manning was also hired as President.

All-time record (through 2008): 
W - 30, L - 60, D - 34
2008: W – 10, L – 10, D - 10
2007: W – 6, L – 15, D - 9
2006: W – 10, L – 13, D - 9
2005: W - 4, L - 22, D - 6

Former players of note:
Jason Kreis, Eddie Pope, Freddy Adu