Real Salt Lake

On July 14, 2004, Salt Lake City received an expansion franchise as the 12th MLS club.⁠[1]

The club unveiled the Real Salt Lake name in October 2004. Real means “royal” in Spanish; founder Dave Checketts admired Real Madrid and sought its approval before adopting the name.⁠[2]

The club adopted claret, cobalt blue and gold. At the launch, claret represented supporters’ passion and cobalt blue the surrounding mountains and lakes.⁠[3]

RSL drew 0–0 with the MetroStarsRed Bull New YorkRed Bull New York (RBNY) are a Major League Soccer club based at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. The club has competed in MLS since 1996, previously as the MetroStars, and is owned by Red Bull.Open the full entry in its MLS debut on April 2, 2005, then beat Colorado 1–0 in its first home match on April 16.⁠[1]

RSL moved into Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on October 9, 2008.⁠[1]

In 2009, RSL won its first MLS Cup in Seattle, defeating the LA GalaxyLA GalaxyLA Galaxy are a Major League Soccer club that began playing in 1996 and won their sixth MLS Cup in 2024. Their home is in Carson, California.Open the full entry 5–4 in a penalty shootout.⁠[2]

RSL lost the April 2011 Champions League final 3–2 on aggregate to Monterrey.⁠[1]

Dell Loy Hansen succeeded Dave Checketts as the club’s owner in 2013.⁠[4]

On October 1, 2013, RSL appeared in its first U.S. Open Cup final, losing 1–0 to D.C. UnitedD.C. UnitedD.C. United is a professional soccer club in Washington, D.C., competing in MLS at Audi Field. An original member of the league in 1996, it won MLS Cup in 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2004.Open the full entry at Rio Tinto Stadium.⁠[5]

On December 7, 2013, RSL and Sporting Kansas CitySporting Kansas CitySporting Kansas City is an MLS professional soccer club with its regular home in Kansas City, Kansas.Open the full entry drew 1–1 after extra time in MLS Cup. RSL lost the ten-round penalty shootout 7–6.⁠[6]

On August 27, 2020, MLS opened an investigation after allegations that Hansen had used racist language. The following day, Utah Soccer announced cooperation with MLS and NWSLNWSLThe National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is a professional women’s soccer league in the United States with 16 clubs in 2026. It stages a regular season, playoffs and the Challenge Cup, while a collective bargaining agreement governs employment relations between clubs and players.Open the full entry investigations and said Hansen would take leave from all team operations.⁠[7]

On August 30, 2020, MLS confirmed Hansen’s decision to begin selling Utah Soccer Holdings, which then owned Real Salt Lake, Utah Royals FCUtah Royals FCUtah Royals FC is an NWSL women's professional soccer club in Utah, playing at America First Field in Sandy. The current expansion club began play in 2024, reviving the Utah Royals identity that competed from 2018 to 2020.Open the full entry and Real Monarchs.⁠[8]

On December 13, 2021, RSL appointed Pablo Mastroeni as permanent head coach. He had led the team on an interim basis to that season’s Western Conference Final, its first appearance in the round since 2013.⁠[9]

On January 5, 2022, MLS approved the acquisition of RSL and associated assets by David Blitzer and Ryan Smith’s Smith Entertainment Group. The stadium, training center and academy were included, creating the club’s third ownership group.⁠[4]

On September 10, 2022, RSL and America First Credit Union announced a naming partnership, making the Sandy venue America First Field with immediate effect.⁠[10]

RSL finished third in the West in 2024 with a 16–7–11 record in 34 matches. Its 59 points and 65 goals were club season records at the time. It then lost both first-round playoff matches to Minnesota UnitedMinnesota United FCMinnesota United FC is a Major League Soccer club based at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota.Open the full entry in shootouts.⁠[11]

On April 18, 2025, the Miller family and Miller Sports + Entertainment completed the acquisition of control of RSL Football Holdings. David Blitzer remained the second-largest shareholder, Ryan Smith exited, and Steve Miller became chairman and governor. The transaction included RSL, Utah Royals, Real Monarchs, the academy and associated stadium and training facilities.⁠[12]

On October 22, 2025, RSL lost 3–1 to Portland TimbersPortland TimbersPortland Timbers is a professional soccer club in Portland, Oregon. Awarded an MLS franchise in 2009, it began league play in 2011 and plays at Providence Park.Open the full entry in the Western Conference Wild Card match, ending its fifth consecutive postseason appearance. It had finished ninth in the West with 41 points and a 12–17–5 record.⁠[13]

On October 29, 2025, Jason Kreis was appointed president of soccer operations overseeing RSL and Utah Royals, which continued to operate independently. John Kimball retained responsibility for their business operations.⁠[14]

On September 26, 2026, Mastroeni’s RSL beat New England RevolutionNew England RevolutionNew England Revolution are a founding Major League Soccer club that began playing in 1996. Operated by the Kraft family, the club plays at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.Open the full entry 3–0 at America First Field, ending a club-record single-season run of thirteen MLS matches without a win. Sergi Solans scored twice and Aiden Hezarkhani added the other goal.⁠[15]

The club trains at Zions Bank Training Center in Herriman. Real Monarchs has competed in MLS NEXT Pro since 2022, forming part of the development pathway alongside the RSL Academy.⁠[14]

Real Salt Lake: Official website: https://www.rsl.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[16]