Over the next month I will be putting out a series of previews for MLS (not The) this season. I know you are all wondering why should I care about MLS, however here are a couple facts to get you going.

• Since 2007 the league has gone from 13 to 24 teams (and counting)
• Last year MLS added a new team in LA owned by Will Ferrell, Magic Johnson, Nomar Garciaparra, and Mia Hamm!
• Soccer has the longest run time of the 4 major sports in 90 minutes, however because there’s no commercials the game only lasts 2 hours.
• Great players such as Josef Martinez, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Carlos Vela, and many many more come to a tv near you every week!
• ESPN+ has made it very easy to find each game every week.

Real Salt Lake

Owner: Dell Loy Hansen

Coach: Mike Petke

Previous Season Record: 14-13-7 (Conference Semi Finals)

U.S. Open Cup 2018: Fourth Round

Top Scorer: Damir Kreilach 12 Goals

Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium

2018 Recap

From 2008-2014 RSL was one of the dominant forces in MLS. Since then they have had an uneven run, making the playoffs about every other year. Last year was no different as they snuck into the playoffs with a little help from the Houston Dynamo. Overall they had a solid season especially considering the fact, it was only coach Mike Petke’s (shout out backyard soccer) second season, and that RSL never really has any massive acquisitions. They made the conference semi finals and lost to their hated Sporting KC, which was by many standards an over achieving season. Now they are just hoping to build on that.

For years they put their faith in goalie Nick Rimando and he has been there savior many times, I do not know though how much longer Coach Petke can continue to rely on him. Another breakout star last year was Damir Kreilach, who they hope can continue to be a centerpiece in the coming season.

Off Season Transactions

*A couple things to highlight here:

• A lot of their off season depended on the draft, which historically has been a crap shoot.
• Sunny is a big loss to the midfield core.

2019 Outlook

Looking back at the off season and there is a definite feeling they lost more than they have gained. Losing a couple midfielders, and replacing them with draft picks has not worked well in the history of the league. So we will see if Coach Petke can improve on their over achieving season of last year.

As I said before Nick Rimando is older and the defensive depth is not spectacular so, they could have problems at the back even if Plata and Kreilach and continue to score goals.

I believe they just will not have enough in a tough Western Conference this year, and they will miss the playoffs continuing their on off streak.