2021_Real_Salt_Lake_season

2021 Real Salt Lake season

2021 Real Salt Lake season

Real Salt Lake 2021 soccer season


The 2021 Real Salt Lake season was the team's 17th year of existence, and their 17th consecutive season in Major League Soccer, the top division of the American soccer pyramid. RSL entered the 2021 season looking to rebound from a tumultuous 2020 season, having finished near the bottom of the table and endured the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic continued to have a significant impact on MLS in 2021, causing the season's start to be delayed to mid-April instead of the traditional first weekend in March, a reworked schedule that focused heavily on intra-conference play to reduce travel, and stadiums at reduced capacity.[1][2][3] The state of Utah allowed RSL to open the season with Rio Tinto Stadium at 50% capacity. The 2021 Major League Soccer season began on April 16, 2021, though RSL did not begin their season until the following week, April 24, having had a bye in the opening weekend due to the odd number of teams in MLS in 2021.

Quick Facts season, Head coach ...

RSL's offseason was marked by the retirements of several key players, including long time captain Kyle Beckerman.[4] The club's ownership was also in question, as Dell Loy Hansen had agreed to sell the club following allegations of racism directed at club players and employees.[5] The pending sale of the club resulted in a relatively quiet offseason on the signing front, with most of the clubs new signings coming from the club's own USL Championship team, Real Monarchs.[6]

RSL entered the season with low expectations, with most pre-season projections predicting a near last place finish.[7] Despite this, RSL opened the season with two straight wins, including a road win at Minnesota. They would go on to spend much of the spring and summer hovering at or just above the playoff line. In a surprising move, head coach Freddy Juarez departed the club on August 27 to take a position as an assistant coach to Brian Schmetzer in Seattle.[8] Assistant coach Pablo Mastroeni took over the head coaching position on an interim basis. Under Mastroeni's leadership, the club saw mixed form, rarely winning or losing consecutive matches. RSL qualified for the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs on the last matchday of the season, or "Decision Day," following a 1–0 road win against Sporting Kansas City.[9] All-star forward Damir Kreilach scored the go-ahead goal in the 90+5" minute of the game, essentially saving the club's season with the final kick of the regular season. The result ensured RSL the 7th and final spot in the playoffs, subsequently eliminating the LA Galaxy, as RSL held the first points tiebreaker, total wins.

Competitions

Preseason

April 3, 2021 Colorado Rapids 0–3 Real Salt Lake Tucson, Arizona
19:00 MST Julio 12'
Kreilach 44' (pen.), 77'
Stadium: Kino Sports Complex
April 7, 2021 Phoenix Rising 0–1 Real Salt Lake Tucson, Arizona
7:00 PM MT Rusnák 26'
Ramírez Yellow card 68'
Stadium: Kino Sports Complex
April 10, 2021 Real Salt Lake 0–1 LA Galaxy Tucson, Arizona
6:00 MT Toia Yellow card 75'
Herrera Yellow card 86'
Vázquez 43' Stadium: Kino Sports Complex
Referee: Tim Ford

MLS regular season

April

April 24, 2021 1 Minnesota United FC 1–2 Real Salt Lake Saint Paul, Minnesota
6:00 PM MT Lod 86' Report Luiz Yellow card 24'
Julio 31, 41'
Ruiz Yellow card 35'
Meram Yellow card 73'
Stadium: Allianz Field
Attendance: 4,100
Referee: Drew Fischer
May 1, 2021 2 Real Salt Lake 3–1 Sporting Kansas City Sandy, Utah
12:00 PM MT Ruiz Yellow card 31'
Kreilach 35'
Rubin 53, 77'
Chang Yellow card 79'
Report Pulido 17' Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 9,842
Referee: David Gantar
May 7, 2021 3 Real Salt Lake 1–2 San Jose Earthquakes Sandy, Utah
7:30 PM MT Kreilach Yellow card 1'
Rubin 43'
Rusnák Yellow card 49'
Meram Yellow card 50'
Besler Yellow card 86'
Report Remedi Yellow card 21'
Wondolowski 83, 87'
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 10,448
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Note: Rubin's goal in the 43rd minute for Real Salt Lake was declared MLS goal of the week for week 4 of regular season play and was voted for the MLS Goal of the Year Award during the postseason.
May 15, 2021 4 Real Salt Lake 0–0 Nashville SC Sandy, Utah
7:30 PM MT Glad Yellow card 27' Report Muyl Yellow card 50' Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 10,555
Referee: Marcos DeOliviera
May 22, 2021 5 FC Dallas 2–2 Real Salt Lake Frisco, Texas
6:00 PM MT Ricaurte Yellow card 24'
Jara 43' (pen.)
Bressan Yellow card 69'
Hollingshead 83'
Report Rubin 20'
Kreilach 86'
Glad Yellow card 89'
Herrera Yellow card 90+2'
Rusnák Yellow card 90+4'
Stadium: Toyota Stadium
Attendance: 8,621
Referee: Joe Dickerson
May 29, 2021 6 Real Salt Lake 1–1 Minnesota United FC Sandy, Utah
7:30 PM MT Kreilach 13' Report Hansen 78' Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 10,853
Referee: Jair Marrufo

June

June 18, 2021 7 Real Salt Lake 3–1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC Sandy, Utah
8:00 PM MT Silva Yellow card 12'
Kreilach 43, 90+5'
Meram Yellow card 85'
Herrera Yellow card 89'
Holt 90+2' Yellow card 90+7'
Report Brown Yellow card 3'
White 54'
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 15,109
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
June 23, 2021 8 Seattle Sounders FC 2–1 Real Salt Lake Seattle, Washington
8:00 PM MT C. Roldan 58'
Ruidíaz Yellow card 76' 88' (pen.)
Report Luiz Yellow card 39'
Rusnák 79' (pen.)
Ochoa Yellow card 88'
Ruíz Yellow card 90+6'
Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 24,652
Referee: Ted Unkel
June 26, 2021 9 Real Salt Lake 1–1 Houston Dynamo FC Sandy, Utah
6:00 PM MT Glad 11' Report Vera Yellow card 42'
Urruti 52' Yellow card 66'
Cerén Yellow card 84'
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 13,588
Referee: Nima Saghafi

July

July 3, 2021 10 Real Salt Lake 0–1 Los Angeles FC Sandy, Utah
8:00 PM MT Brody Yellow card 17'
Kreilach Yellow card 75'
Glad Yellow card 83'
Report Baird Yellow card 61'
Cifuentes 69'
Rossi Yellow card 90+6'
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 18,253
Referee: Silviu Petrescu
July 7, 2021 11 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0–4 Real Salt Lake Sandy, Utah
8:00 PM MT Report Kreilach 1, 57'
Ruíz Yellow card 24'
Rusnák 74' (pen.)
Toia Yellow card 81'
Julio 90+4'
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 12,009
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
Note: Vancouver Whitecaps FC is currently playing home matches at Rio Tinto Stadium (Where Real Salt Lake plays) since the start of the 2021 season because of border restrictions between the United States and Canada due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vancouver will play as the home team for this match.
July 17, 2021 12 Los Angeles FC 2–1 Real Salt Lake Los Angeles, California
8:30 PM MT Rossi 10'
Murillo Yellow card 62'
Vela 79'
Report Herrera 18' Yellow card 77'
Luiz Yellow card 45+1'
Kreilach Yellow card 50'
Besler Yellow card 87'
Stadium: Banc of California Stadium
Attendance: 22,490
Referee: Robert Sibiga
July 21, 2021 13 Real Salt Lake 2–2 LA Galaxy Sandy, Utah
8:00 PM MT Rusnák 9'
Chang 25'
Report Vázquez 33'
Raveloson Yellow card 71', 77'
Kljestan Yellow card 90+2'
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 16,169
Referee: Kevin Stott
July 24, 2021 14 RMC Real Salt Lake 3–0 Colorado Rapids Sandy, Utah
8:00 PM MT Yarbrough 14' (o.g.)
Wood 30'
Morgan Yellow card 61'
Rubin 76'
Kreilach Yellow card 88'
Report Wilson Yellow card 23'
Shinyashiki Yellow card 45+2'
Abubakar Yellow card 65'
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 17,325
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
July 31, 2021 15 Houston Dynamo FC 0–0 Real Salt Lake Houston, Texas
6:30 PM MT Report Glad Yellow card 40' Yellow-red card 87'
Holt Yellow card 90+2'
Stadium: BBVA Stadium
Attendance: 13,462
Referee: Guido Gonzalez Jr.

August

August 4, 2021 16 LA Galaxy 1–0 Real Salt Lake Carson, California
8:30 PM MT Álvarez 53' Report Besler Yellow card 35'
Toia Yellow card 70'
Meram Yellow card 85'
Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
Attendance: 15,544
Referee: Nima Saghafi
August 7, 2021 17 Portland Timbers 3–2 Real Salt Lake Portland, Oregon
8:30 PM MT Asprilla 10' (pen.)
Chará 29'
Mora 62'
Valeri Yellow card 89'
Report Glad Yellow card 6'
Menéndez Yellow card 13'
Rusnák 40'
Luiz Yellow card 45+1'
Herrera Yellow card 48'
Kreilach 80'
Chang Yellow card 87'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 23,577
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
August 14, 2021 18 Real Salt Lake 1–0 Austin FC Sandy, Utah
8:00 PM MT Wood 32'
Morgan Yellow card 68'
Report Ring Yellow card 44'
Cascante Red card 49'
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 17,506
Referee: David Gantar
August 18, 2021 19 Real Salt Lake 2–1 Houston Dynamo FC Sandy, Utah
8:00 PM MT Meram 6'
Kreilach Yellow card 29'
Julio 88'
Rusnák Yellow card 90'
Report Picault 51' Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 13,570
Referee: Jair Marrufo
August 21, 2021 20 RMC Colorado Rapids 2–1 Real Salt Lake Commerce City, Colorado
7:00 PM MT Rubio 64'
Kaye 71'
Galván Yellow card 85'
Report Toia Yellow card 3'
Rusnák 51'
Menéndez Yellow card 56'
Meram Yellow card 85'
Kreilach Yellow card 90+3'
Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Attendance: 13,134
Referee: Drew Fischer
August 29, 2021 21 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 4–1 Real Salt Lake Vancouver, British Columbia
7:00 PM MT Silva 33' (o.g.)
Brown Yellow card 40'
White 53'
Gauld 64'
Jungwirth 69'
Report Powder Yellow card 34'
Rusnák Yellow card 53'
Silva Yellow card 55'
Julio 90'
Stadium: BC Place
Referee: Ramy Touchan

September

September 4, 2021 22 Real Salt Lake 3–2 FC Dallas Sandy, Utah
7:00PM CDT (UTC-05) Glad 42'
Herrera Yellow card 45+2'
Menéndez 54'
Rusnák Yellow card 65', 73'
Report Jara 19'
Obrian Yellow card 25'
Tafari Yellow card 49'
Ferreira 80'
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 15,882
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
September 12, 2021 23 Los Angeles FC 3–2 Real Salt Lake Los Angeles, California
8:30 PM MT Arango 1', 30'
Edwards Yellow card 23'
Duke Yellow card 57'
Datković 59' (o.g)
Ibeagha Yellow card 90+3'
Report Datković Yellow card 22'
Kreilach 28'
Everton Yellow card 45+1'
Julio 48'
Stadium: Banc of California Stadium
Attendance: 22,130
Referee: Ted Unkel
September 15, 2021 24 San Jose Earthquakes 3–4 Real Salt Lake San Jose, California
8:30 PM MT López 26', 50', 65' Yellow card 69'
Judson Yellow card 59'
Remedi Yellow card 72'
Report Besler Yellow card 8'
Rubin 45+2', 81'
Rusnák 49' Yellow card 62'
Ruíz Yellow card 67'
Meram 71'
Kreilach Yellow card 75'
Toia Yellow card 90'
Stadium: PayPal Park
Attendance: 9,636
Referee: Nima Saghafi
September 18, 2021 25 Real Salt Lake 1–0 Seattle Sounders FC Sandy, Utah
7:00 PM MT Luiz Yellow card 33'
Kreilach Yellow card 41' 48'
Herrera Yellow card 53'
Julio Yellow card 85'
Report Cissoko Yellow card 45' Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 19,850
Referee: Ismail Elfath
September 25, 2021 26 Portland Timbers 6–1 Real Salt Lake Portland, Oregon
8:30 PM MT Mora 27'
Asprilla 36'
Y. Chara Yellow card 45+4', 48'
D. Chara 68'
Niezgoda 85'
Paredes 88'
Report Kreilach 41'
Ruíz Yellow card 51'
Glad Yellow card 73'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 21,579
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
September 29, 2021 27 Real Salt Lake 2–1 LA Galaxy Sandy, Utah
7:30 PM MT Kreilach 45'
Julio 90+5'
Report DePuy Yellow card 46'
Chicharito 76'
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 18,121
Referee: Tori Penso

October

October 2, 2021 28 Austin FC 2–1 Real Salt Lake Austin, Texas
1:30 PM MT Domínguez 17', 55'
Pereira Yellow card 90+2'
Report Kreilach 64' Stadium: Q2 Stadium
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
October 16, 2021 29 RMC Real Salt Lake 3–1 Colorado Rapids Sandy, Utah
7:30 PM MT Kreilach 13'
Rubin 56'
Holt Yellow card 61'
Ochoa Yellow card 90+6'
Julio 90+6'
Report Warner Yellow card 22'
Price Yellow card 31'
Rubio Yellow card 65'
Namli 73'
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 20,738
Referee: Kevin Stott
Note: This game was the final matchup of the 2021 MLS Season between RSL and the Colorado Rapids to compete for the Rocky Mountain Cup with a combined score of RSL winning 7–3
October 23, 2021 30 Chicago Fire FC 1–0 Real Salt Lake Chicago, Illinois
6:00 PM MT Herbers Yellow card 29'
Berić 45'
Pineda Yellow card 67'
Gimenez Yellow card 74'
Gutiérrez Yellow card 86'
Report Stadium: Soldier Field
Attendance: 31,308
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
October 27, 2021 31 FC Dallas 1–2 Real Salt Lake Frisco, Texas
6:00 PM MT Hedges 20'
Jara Yellow card 57'
Report Kreilach 80'
Rusnák 90'
Stadium: Toyota Stadium
Attendance: 12,486
Referee: Ismail Elfath
October 30, 2021 32 Real Salt Lake 3–4 San Jose Earthquakes Sandy, Utah
8:30 PM MT Rusnák 9', 90+2'
Glad Yellow card 48'
Chang 85'
Report Alanís Yellow card 27'
Fierro 37'
Yueill Yellow card 45', 79'
Wondolowski 45+3'
Judson Yellow card 58'
Cowell 69'
Espinoza Yellow card 75'
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 15,553
Referee: Jon Freemon

November

November 3, 2021 33 Real Salt Lake 1–3 Portland Timbers Sandy, Utah
8:30 PM MT Ruíz Yellow card 36'
Rusnák 88' (pen.)
Report Blanco 17', 45'
Herrera 38' (o.g.)
Tuiloma Yellow card 82'
Bravo Yellow card 87'
Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium
Attendance: 18,405
Referee: Chris Penso
November 7, 2021 34 Sporting Kansas City 0–1 Real Salt Lake Kansas City, Kansas
4:00 PM MT
Report
Stadium: Children's Mercy Park
Attendance: 19,022
Referee: Ted Unkel

Playoffs

November 23, 2021 First round Seattle Sounders FC (2) 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(5–6 p)
(7) Real Salt Lake Seattle, Washington
8:30 PM MST Report Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 34,012
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
Penalties
Note: Real Salt Lake advanced on penalties 6–5
November 28, 2021 Conference Semi-Finals Sporting Kansas City (3) 1–2 (7) Real Salt Lake Kansas City, Kansas
1:00 PM MT
Report
Stadium: Children's Mercy Park
Attendance: 21,650
Referee: Kevin Stott
December 4, 2021 Western Conference Final Portland Timbers (4) 2–0 (7) Real Salt Lake Portland, Oregon
4:00 PM MT
Report Herrera Yellow card 58' Yellow-red card 79'
Ruíz Yellow card 90+3'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 25,218
Referee: Alan Kelly

Standings

Western Conference Table
More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
Notes:
  1. Canadian clubs cannot qualify for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League through the MLS regular season or playoffs.
Overall table
More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)

Results summary

More information Overall, Home ...

Last updated: November 8, 2021
Source: MLS Results
Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won; T = Matches tied; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference

U.S. Open Cup

Stats

Squad appearances and goals

Last updated December 10, 2021.
More information No., Pos ...

Assists and Shutouts

  • Stats from MLS Regular season, MLS playoffs, CONCACAF Champions league, and U.S. Open Cup are all included.
  • First tie-breaker for assists and shutouts is minutes played.
As of November 8, 2021 [10]
More information Rank, Player ...

Club

Roster

  • Age calculated as of December 4, 2021 (The club's final matchday of the season)
As of June 18, 2021,[11][12]
More information No., Name ...

Transfers

As of September 22, 2021[11]

In

More information Player, Position ...

MLS Drafts

More information Player, Position ...

Out

More information Player, Position ...
Notes
  1. ^
    Option Declined (OPT): Players who have had their option declined may still be resigned by the club under a new contract.
  2. ^
    Free Agent (FREE): Players who are out of contract may still be resigned by the club under a new contract.

Loans

In

More information Player, Position ...

Out

More information Player, Position ...

Trialist

More information Player, Position ...

References

  1. ESPN. "Major League Soccer pushes season start date back to April 17". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  2. MLS Digital Staff. "Explaining the 2021 MLS regular season schedule structure". SportingKC.com. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  3. Vejar, Alex. "RSL announces increase in fan capacity for home games". SLTrib.com. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  4. Communications, RSL. "Real Salt Lake Icon Kyle Beckerman Announces His Retirement". RSL.com. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  5. Meyer, Taran. "Jersey Numbers, Rosters and More Ahead of RSL vs. Republic FC". RSL.com. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  6. Bogert, Tom. "Real Salt Lake 2021 Season Preview". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  7. MLSsoccer.com Staff. "Real Salt Lake, head coach Freddy Juarez part ways midseason". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  8. Butler, Dylan. "Five moments that defined MLS Decision Day 2021". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  9. "Major League Soccer Season Statistics". Real Salt Lake. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  10. "Roster". rsl.com. October 10, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  11. "RSL Signs Justin Portillo from Real Monarchs SLC". rslsoapbox.com. February 26, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  12. RSL Communications (September 22, 2020). "Real Salt Lake Signs Bode Davis for 2021". RSL.com. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  13. RSL Communications (September 24, 2020). "Real Salt Lake Signs Noah Powder for 2021". RSL.com. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  14. RSL Communications (September 25, 2020). "Real Salt Lake Signs Andrew Brody for 2021". RSL.com. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  15. RSL Communications (January 7, 2021). "Real Salt Lake Signs Former U.S. International Rubio Rubin". RSL.com. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  16. RSL Communications (January 11, 2021). "RSL Signs RSL Academy Goalkeeper Jeff Dewsnup". RSL.com. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  17. RSL Communications (April 2, 2021). "RSL Signs Forward Bobby Wood". RSL.com. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  18. RSL Communications (May 29, 2021). "Real Salt Lake Acquires Jonathan Menéndez". RSL.com. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  19. RSL Communications (June 2, 2021). "Real Salt Lake Signs Defender Toni Datković". RSL.com. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  20. RSL Communications (June 17, 2021). "Real Salt Lake Inks Zack Farnsworth to Homegrown Contract". RSL.com. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  21. SoccerWire.com (January 22, 2021). "Full results from the 2021 MLS SuperDraft". SoccerWire.com. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  22. SoccerWire.com (January 22, 2021). "Full results from the 2021 MLS SuperDraft". SoccerWire.com. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  23. SoccerWire.com (January 22, 2021). "Full results from the 2021 MLS SuperDraft". SoccerWire.com. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  24. SoccerWire.com (January 22, 2021). "Full results from the 2021 MLS SuperDraft". SoccerWire.com. Retrieved May 12, 2021.

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