2021 Real Salt Lake season
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Head coach
- Freddy Juarez (until August 27)
- Pablo Mastroeni (as interim; from August 27)
StadiumRio Tinto Stadium
Major League SoccerConference: 7th
Overall: 13th
Overall: 13th
MLS Cup PlayoffsWestern Conference Finals
| 2021 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Head coach |
| ||
| Stadium | Rio Tinto Stadium | ||
| Major League Soccer | Conference: 7th Overall: 13th | ||
| MLS Cup Playoffs | Western Conference Finals | ||
| U.S. Open Cup | Cancelled | ||
| Rocky Mountain Cup | Winners | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: All: Damir Kreilach (16) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 20,738 (Oct 16 vs COL) | ||
| Lowest home attendance | 9,842 (May 1 vs SKC) | ||
| Average home league attendance | 15,253 | ||
| Biggest win | VAN 0–4 RSL (7/7) | ||
| Biggest defeat | POR 6–1 RSL (9/25) | ||
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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.
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.
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  68' |
Stadium: Kino Sports Complex |
| April 10, 2021 | Real Salt Lake | 0–1 | LA Galaxy | Tucson, Arizona |
| 6:00 MT | Toia 75' Herrera 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 24' Julio 31, 41'Ruiz 35'Meram 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 31' Kreilach 35'Rubin 53, 77'Chang 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 1' Rubin 43'Rusnák 49'Meram 50'Besler 86' |
Report | Remedi 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 27' |
Report | Muyl 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 24' Jara 43' (pen.)Bressan 69'Hollingshead 83' |
Report | Rubin 20' Kreilach 86'Glad 89'Herrera 90+2'Rusnák 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 12' Kreilach 43, 90+5'Meram 85'Herrera 89'Holt 90+2' 90+7' |
Report | Brown 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 76' 88' (pen.) |
Report | Luiz 39' Rusnák 79' (pen.)Ochoa 88'Ruíz 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 42' Urruti 52' 66'Cerén 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 17' Kreilach 75'Glad 83' |
Report | Baird 61' Cifuentes 69'Rossi 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 24'Rusnák 74' (pen.)Toia 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 62'Vela 79' |
Report | Herrera 18' 77' Luiz 45+1'Kreilach 50'Besler 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 71', 77'Kljestan 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 61'Rubin 76'Kreilach 88' |
Report | Wilson 23' Shinyashiki 45+2'Abubakar 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 40'  87'Holt 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 35' Toia 70' Meram 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 89' |
Report | Glad 6' Menéndez 13' Rusnák 40' Luiz 45+1' Herrera 48' Kreilach 80' Chang 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 68' |
Report | Ring 44' Cascante  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 29'Julio 88'Rusnák 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 85' |
Report | Toia 3' Rusnák 51' Menéndez 56' Meram 85' Kreilach 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 40' White 53' Gauld 64' Jungwirth 69' |
Report | Powder 34' Rusnák 53' Silva 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 45+2'Menéndez 54'Rusnák 65', 73' |
Report | Jara 19' Obrian 25'Tafari 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 23'Duke 57'Datković 59' (o.g)Ibeagha 90+3' |
Report | Datković 22' Kreilach 28'Everton 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' 69' Judson 59'Remedi 72' |
Report | Besler 8' Rubin 45+2', 81'Rusnák 49' 62'Ruíz 67'Meram 71'Kreilach 75'Toia 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 33' Kreilach 41' 48'Herrera 53'Julio 85' |
Report | Cissoko 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 45+4', 48'D. Chara 68'Niezgoda 85'Paredes 88' |
Report | Kreilach 41' Ruíz 51'Glad 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 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 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 61' Ochoa 90+6' Julio 90+6' |
Report | Warner 22' Price 31' Rubio 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 29' Berić 45' Pineda 67' Gimenez 74' Gutiérrez 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 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 48' Chang 85' |
Report | Alanís 27' Fierro 37' Yueill 45', 79' Wondolowski 45+3' Judson 58' Cowell 69' Espinoza 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 36' Rusnák 88' (pen.) |
Report | Blanco 17', 45' Herrera 38' (o.g.) Tuiloma 82' Bravo 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 58' 79' Ruíz 90+3' |
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 25,218 Referee: Alan Kelly |
Standings
Western Conference Table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado Rapids | 34 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 51 | 35 | +16 | 61 | MLS Cup Conference Semifinals |
| 2 | Seattle Sounders FC | 34 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 53 | 33 | +20 | 60 | MLS Cup First Round |
| 3 | Sporting Kansas City | 34 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 58 | 40 | +18 | 58 | |
| 4 | Portland Timbers | 34 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 56 | 52 | +4 | 55 | |
| 5 | Minnesota United FC | 34 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 42 | 44 | −2 | 49 | |
| 6 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 34 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 45 | 45 | 0 | 49 | |
| 7 | Real Salt Lake | 34 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 55 | 54 | +1 | 48 | |
| 8 | LA Galaxy | 34 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 50 | 54 | −4 | 48 | |
| 9 | Los Angeles FC | 34 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 53 | 51 | +2 | 45 | |
| 10 | San Jose Earthquakes | 34 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 46 | 54 | −8 | 41 | |
| 11 | FC Dallas | 34 | 7 | 15 | 12 | 47 | 56 | −9 | 33 | |
| 12 | Austin FC | 34 | 9 | 21 | 4 | 35 | 56 | −21 | 31 | |
| 13 | Houston Dynamo FC | 34 | 6 | 16 | 12 | 36 | 54 | −18 | 30 |
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)
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)
Overall table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Minnesota United FC | 34 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 42 | 44 | −2 | 49 |
| 12 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 34 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 45 | 45 | 0 | 49 |
| 13 | Real Salt Lake | 34 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 55 | 54 | +1 | 48 |
| 14 | New York Red Bulls | 34 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 39 | 33 | +6 | 48 |
| 15 | LA Galaxy | 34 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 50 | 54 | −4 | 48 |
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)
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
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | Pts | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD |
| 34 | 48 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 55 | 54 | +1 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 30 | 21 | +9 | 5 | 10 | 2 | 25 | 33 | −8 |
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
