2014 Real Salt Lake season explained

Club:Real Salt Lake
Season:2014
Stadium:Rio Tinto Stadium
League:Major League Soccer
League Result:Conference: 3rd
Overall: 4th
Chrtitle:Owner
Chairman:Dell Loy Hansen
Mgrtitle:Coach
Manager:Jeff Cassar
Highest Attendance:20,513
(vs New England Revolution, 4 July)
Lowest Attendance:18,881
(vs Toronto FC, 29 March)
Average Attendance:20,157
Largest Win:RSL 5–1 COL (9/19)
Largest Loss:SEA 4–0 RSL (5/31)
Cup1:MLS Cup
Cup1 Result:Conference Semifinals
Cup2:U.S. Open Cup
Cup2 Result:4th Round
Cup3:Rocky Mountain Cup
Cup3 Result:1st
Cup4:Desert Diamond Cup
Cup4 Result:3rd
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American:true
Prevseason:2013
Nextseason:2015

The 2014 Real Salt Lake season was the team's tenth year of existence and also the first year with new head coach Jeff Cassar. The team's first game was on March 8 at StubHub Center.

Background

See main article: 2013 Real Salt Lake season.

In 2013 Real Salt Lake played in the MLS Cup final, losing in the tenth round of penalty kicks to Sporting Kansas City.[1] Real Salt Lake also announced that LifeVantage would be a long-term sponsor beginning in the 2014 Season.[2] Additionally, long term head coach, Jason Kreis announced that he would leave the club at the end of the season to embark on an opportunity to become the first coach for New York City FC to start in the 2015 season.[3] Other changes to the staff including Miles Joseph who left to assist Kreis in New York and C. J. Brown returned to his former club, Chicago Fire Soccer Club, to serve as assistant coach.[4] Jeff Cassar was promoted to be the head coach beginning in the 2014 season.[5]

Overview

March

Real Salt Lake began the season away to LA Galaxy on 8 April 2014 and won their first match of the season. Nick Rimando was awarded the first week Player of the Week after a nine-save performance helping to secure the win. Additionally, Rimando was voted for MLS Save of the Week and named for MLS Team of the Week along with defender Nat Borchers for week one. Real Salt Lake continued to remain unbeaten throughout the month with draws at San Jose (3–3) and the home opener to LA Galaxy (1–1), and a three-nil home win to Toronto FC which saw Álvaro Saborío, Javier Morales, and Nat Borchers named to the MLS team of the Week for week four. Captain Kyle Beckerman was also awarded MLS Goal of the Week for his 25-yard shot against San Jose that earned him nearly 50 percent of the votes.

April

RSL continued their unbeaten run through the month with draws away to Sporting Kansas City (0–0) and Philadelphia Union (2–2), and home against Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2–2). Real Salt Lake also had a single home win over Portland Timbers (1–0), to bring the tally to eleven consecutive matches unbeaten against the Timbers. Real Salt Lake also were honored by being awarded the "Team of the Year" in the Utah Governor's State of Sport awards, as well as awards to Kyle Beckerman for "Male Professional Athlete of the Year", and Nick Rimando was awarded for "Highlight of the Year" for their accomplishments in the 2013 season.[6]

Luis Gil was called up to the U-21 US National Team for the pre-Olympic Training Camp, but backed out to recover from a lingering hamstring injury.[7] Defender Carlos Salcedo additionally was called up to train with the Mexico U-21 National Team to prepare for the 2016 Summer Olympics.[8] RSL Arizona Academy graduate Justen Glad was offered a Homegrown Player contract and became the seventh academy graduate to join the first team. Real also announced a new Under-12 Academy to be based in Utah with graduates being promoted to the RSL Arizona Academy.[9]

May

Real Salt Lake continued their unbeaten run to tie the MLS record for an unbeaten start of the season, tying with 1996 and 2010 LA Galaxy and 2000 Kansas City Wizards. RSL suffered their first defeat the final day of the month when they lost away to Seattle Sounders. Forward Álvaro Saborío was named to the Costa Rica World Cup Roster, and Midfielder Kyle Beckerman and Goalkeeper Nick Rimando were called up to the United States men's national soccer team and departed to train with their respective teams in preparation for the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup,[10] although Saborío returned after fracturing his fifth metatarsal in training.[11] Jordan Allen was ruled out for the remainder of the season after undergoing a microfracture surgery to his right knee.[12]

Joao Plata won the MLS Player of the Week for week nine after his two-goal performance against Chicago Fire Soccer Club. Javier Morales scored the second fasted goal in RSL history with his first goal finding the net fifteen seconds into the match.[13] Javi also got his first hat-trick for Real Salt Lake in the team's first ever win away to FC Dallas. In Nick Rimando's absence, Jeff Attinella won the MLS Save of the Week for Week 11 with a double save in the win against Colorado Rapids.

Competitions

Preseason

Desert Diamond Cup

Matches

MLS regular season

Standings

Overall table

Note: the table below has no impact on playoff qualification and is used solely for determining host of the MLS Cup, certain CCL spots, and 2015 MLS draft. The conference tables are the sole determinant for teams qualifying to the playoffs

Match results

Legend::
Schedule Updated: February 2, 2014
Source: Real Salt Lake Schedule

MLS Cup Playoffs

Western Conference Semifinal

U.S. Open Cup

Kickoff times are in MDT

Friendlies

Club

Roster

As of April 8, 2014. Age calculated as of the start of the 2014 season.[14]

No.PositionPlayerNationAgeAcquired
1 data-sort-value="Fernández"Lalo Fernández (HGP) February 24, 2012
2 data-sort-value="Beltran"January 18, 2008
3 data-sort-value="Watson-Siriboe"June 27, 2012
4 data-sort-value="Maund"December 3, 2012
5 data-sort-value="Beckerman"Kyle Beckerman (C) July 16, 2007
6 data-sort-value="Borchers"February 14, 2008
7 data-sort-value="Allen"Jordan Allen (HGP) December 13, 2013
8 data-sort-value="Plata"January 30, 2013
10 data-sort-value="Findley"January 16, 2013
11 data-sort-value="Morales"Javier Morales (DP) August 17, 2007
12 data-sort-value="Grossman"November 12, 2012
13 data-sort-value="García"February 21, 2013
14 data-sort-value="Glad"Justen Glad (HGP) April 4, 2014
15 data-sort-value="Glad"Álvaro Saborío (DP) March 15, 2010
16 data-sort-value="Salcedo"Carlos Salcedo (HGP) January 15, 2013
17 data-sort-value="Wingert"July 13, 2007
18 data-sort-value="Rimando"February 23, 2007
19 data-sort-value="Mulholland"January 21, 2014
20 data-sort-value="Grabavoy"March 3, 2009
21 data-sort-value="Gil"Luis Gil (GA)February 23, 2010
22 data-sort-value="Lopez"Benji Lopez (HGP) July 17, 2013
23 data-sort-value="Jaime"August 8, 2014
24 data-sort-value="Attinella"December 23, 2012
25 data-sort-value="Balchan"March 2, 2013
26 data-sort-value="Velásquez"January 12, 2012
27 data-sort-value="Stertzer"January 17, 2013
28 data-sort-value="Schuler"January 14, 2010
29 data-sort-value="Mansally"June 20, 2012
49 data-sort-value="Sandoval"January 17, 2013

Transfers

In

Position Player Previous clubFees/Notes DateSource
7 Real Salt Lake – Arizona AcademyGraduate, Home Grown Player[15]
19 Tampa Bay RowdiesUndisclosed[16]
23 California Golden BearsFirst round MLS SuperDraft Pick (18th overall)[17]
Georgetown HoyasThird round MLS SuperDraft Pick (53rd overall)[18]
Coker CollegeFourth round MLS SuperDraft Pick (70th overall)
14 Real Salt Lake – Arizona AcademyHome Grown Player[19]
23 Unión EspañolaUndisclosed[20]

Out

Position Player Next ClubFees/Notes DateSource
7 Chicago FireTraded for Allocation Money[21]
23 San Jose EarthquakesReleased to MLS Re-Entry Draft[22]
23 San Jose EarthquakesNot signed after being picked in the MLS Superdraft[23]
44 Ljungskile SKReleased to MLS Re-Entry Draft
45Released to MLS Re-Entry Draft
19 Carolina RailHawksWaived[24]
Carolina RailHawksNot signed after being picked in the MLS Superdraft[25]
Arizona UnitedReleased
3 New York City FCTrade for 2016 MLS 4th Round Super-Draft Pick[26]

Loans

Out

Position Player Loaned ToFees/Notes DateSource
14 Orlando CityLoaned for 2014 season and Trade for 2015 for 2017 4th Round Super-Draft Pick[27]
25 Carolina RailHawksShort-term loan to regain fitness[28]
3 Orange County Blues FCShort-term loan to regain fitness.[29]
22 Arizona United SCLoaned for 2014 USL PRO season[30]
Note: Kwame Watson-Siriboe and Benji Lopez have both played matches with RSL Reserves while on loan away from Real Salt Lake

Kits

Type Shirt Shorts Socks First appearance / Info
Home Claret with Gold Bar / Cobalt sleeves Claret Claret 8 March at LA Galaxy
Away White / Cobalt right sleeve White White 15 March at San Jose Earthquakes

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Source: Real Salt Lake Statistics

Individual awards

The MLS Player of the Week, Month, and Year is awarded by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) and decided by vote.[31]

Weekly awards

WeekPlayer of the WeekTeam of the WeekSave of the WeekGoal of the Week
1 Nick Rimando[32] Nick Rimando[33]
Nat Borchers
Nick Rimando[34]
2 Nick Rimando[35] Kyle Beckerman[36]
4 Álvaro Saborío[37]
Javier Morales
Nat Borchers
Jeff Cassar (coach)
5 Jeff Attinella[38]
Chris Schuler
6 Javier Morales[39]
7 Nick Rimando[40] Nick Rimando[41]
Ned Grabavoy
9 Joao Plata[42] Joao Plata[43]
10 Javier Morales[44] Javier Morales[45]
11 Devon Sandoval[46] Jeff Attinella[47]
12 Tony Beltran[48]
13 Jeff Attinella[49]
17 Kyle Beckerman[50]

Top scorers

PlaceNumberNameMLSMLS CupU.S. Open CupTotal
18 Joao Plata8 0 0 8
215 Álvaro Saborío6 0 0 6
311 Javier Morales4 0 0 4
19 Luke Mulholland4 0 0 4
55 Kyle Beckerman2 0 0 2
21 Luis Gil2 0 0 2
620 Ned Grabavoy1 0 0 1
710 Robbie Findley0 0 1 1
TOTALS24 0 0 24

Top Assists

PlaceNumberNameMLSMLS CupU.S. Open CupTotal
111 Javier Morales5 0 0 5
28 Joao Plata3 0 0 3
19 Luke Mulholland3 0 1 4
45 Kyle Beckerman3 0 0 3
15 Álvaro Saborío2 0 0 2
617 Chris Wingert1 0 0 1
20 Ned Grabavoy1 0 0 1
21 Luis Gil1 0 0 1
26 Sebastián Velásquez1 0 0 1
29 Abdoulie Mansally1 0 0 1
49 Devon Sandoval1 0 0 1
Total 21 0 0 21
Source: mlssoccer.com [51]

Disciplinary record

NumberNationalityPositionNameMLSMLS CupUS Open CupTotal
19 Luke Mulholland3 1 0 0 0 0 2 1
2 Tony Beltran4 1* 0 0 0 0 4 1
11 Javier Morales5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
6 Nat Borchers3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
15Álvaro Saborío3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
28 Chris Schuler3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
27 John Stertzer2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
17 Chris Wingert3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
5 Kyle Beckerman2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
18 Nick Rimando1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
12 Cole Grossman1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
13 Olmes García2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
4 Aaron Maund0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
16 Carlos Salcedo0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
18 Nick Rimando1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total33 20 02 035 2

Source: Competitions
Competitive matches only
* indicates a second yellow card

Captains

Notes and References

  1. http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2013/12/mls-cup-recap-rsl-1-1-6-7-sporting-kansas-city-0 RSL drops MLS Cup 2013 after heartbreaking PK shootout
  2. http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2013/10/real-salt-lake-unveils-new-long-term-jersey-front-partnership-lifevantage RSL partners with LifeVantage for jersey-front beginning in 2014
  3. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865592204/RSL-coach-Jason-Kreis-will-not-return-to-team-in-2014.html Real Salt Lake: Coach Jason Kreis officially leaves RSL to become the new coach of New York City FC
  4. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/12/11/real-salt-lake-coaching-staff-shifts-assistant-cj-brown-returns-chicago-fire As Real Salt Lake coaching staff shifts, assistant CJ Brown returns to Chicago Fire
  5. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865592649/Real-Salt-Lake-Jeff-Cassar-hired-as-new-head-coach-for-RSL.html Real Salt Lake: RSL tabs Jeff Cassar as new head coach in place of Jason Kreis
  6. http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2014/04/real-salt-lake-honored-utah-governors-state-sport-awards Real Salt Lake honored at Utah Governor's State of Sport Awards
  7. http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2014/04/real-salt-lake-mf-luis-gil-miss-us-under-21-national-team-camp Real Salt Lake MF Luis Gil to Miss US Under-21 National Team Camp
  8. http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2014/04/salcedos-international-call-continues-long-family-tradition Salcedo's international call continues a long family tradition
  9. http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2014/04/real-salt-lake-start-academy-program-utah Real Salt Lake to start academy program in Utah
  10. http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2014/05/kyle-beckerman-and-nick-rimando-named-uss-final-world-cup-roster Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando named to US's final World Cup roster
  11. http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2014/05/alvaro-saborio-miss-world-cup-due-fractured-fifth-metatarsal Alvaro Saborio to miss World Cup due to fractured fifth metatarsal
  12. http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2014/05/rsl-mf-jordan-allen-out-season-after-undergoing-successful-microfracture-surgery RSL MF Jordan Allen out for season after undergoing successful microfracture surgery
  13. http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2014/05/recap-rsl-5-2-houston-dynamo Recap: RSL 5–2 Houston Dynamo
  14. Web site: Players . Real Salt Lake . April 8, 2014 . April 8, 2014.
  15. Web site: Real Salt Lake signs Jordan Allen to a Homegrown contract . 2014-02-02 . 2014-03-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140315013325/http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2013/12/real-salt-lake-signs-jordan-allen-homegrown-contract . dead .
  16. http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2014/01/real-salt-lake-signs-midfielder-luke-mulholland Real Salt Lake signs midfielder Luke Mulholland
  17. http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2014/01/real-salt-lake-selects-df-ryan-neil-first-round-2014-mls-superdraft Real Salt Lake selects DF Ryan Neil in first round of 2014 MLS SuperDraft
  18. http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2014/01/real-salt-lake-picks-two-final-rounds-2014-mls-superdraft Real Salt Lake picks two in final rounds of 2014 MLS SuperDraft
  19. http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2014/04/real-salt-lake-signs-justen-glad-homegrown-contract Real Salt Lake signs Justen Glad to Homegrown contract
  20. http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2014/08/real-salt-lake-signs-argentine-fw-sebastian-jaime Real Salt Lake signs Argentine FW Sebastian Jaime
  21. http://www.rslsoapbox.com/2013/12/13/5208530/lovel-palmer-traded-to-chicago-fire-for-allocation-money Lovel Palmer traded to Chicago Fire for allocation money
  22. http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/57242097-77/players-rsl-draft-entry.html.csp Soccer: Real Salt Lake declines options on four players
  23. http://goldengatesports.com/2014/03/07/san-jose-earthquakes-add-rookie-defenders-joe-sofia-cals-ryan-neil/ San Jose Earthquakes Add Rookie Defenders Joe Sofia, Cal’s Ryan Neil
  24. http://www.rslsoapbox.com/2014/1/9/5292054/enzo-martinez-waived-with-no-first-team-appearances Enzo Martinez waived with no first-team appearances
  25. http://www.nasl.com/article/uuid/1c08pi4igbsjk1rcbm5ssvigl8/railhawks-sign-forward-daniel-jackson#.U0HkKK1dX4s RailHawks sign Forward Daniel Jackson
  26. http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2014/08/real-salt-lake-trades-kwame-watson-siriboe-nycfc-exchange-2016-superdraft-pick Real Salt Lake trades Kwame Watson-Siriboe to NYCFC in exchange for 2016 SuperDraft pick
  27. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/01/22/orlando-city-sc-land-second-player-2015-deal-real-salt-lake-midfielder-yorda Orlando City SC land second player for 2015 in deal for Real Salt Lake midfielder Yordany Alvarez
  28. http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/57915833-77/rsl-houston-cassar-dynamo.html.csp Real Salt Lake: RSL takes aim at the Houston hex
  29. http://www.rslsoapbox.com/2014/5/11/5707976/schuler-out-maund-in-for-rsl-after-knock-against-chicago-fire Schuler out, Maund in for RSL after knock against Chicago Fire
  30. http://arizonaunited.com/arizona-united-soccer-club-adds-lopez-loan/ Arizona United Soccer Club adds Lopez on loan from Real Salt Lake
  31. http://www.soccerreporters.com/ North American Soccer Reporters
  32. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/03/10/real-salt-lakes-nick-rimando-wins-week-1s-player-week-stellar-showing-vs-la- Real Salt Lake's Nick Rimando wins Week 1's Player of the Week with stellar showing vs. LA Galaxy
  33. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/03/10/team-week-wk-1-dominant-performances-fill-weeks-team Team of the Week (Wk 1): Dominant performances abound, but only 11 can make the final squad
  34. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/03/14/nick-rimando-captures-first-2014-mls-save-week-award-clutch-penalty-kick-sto Nick Rimando captures first 2014 MLS Save of the Week award with clutch penalty kick stop
  35. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/03/21/real-salt-lakes-nick-rimando-claims-second-save-week-honor-2014 Real Salt Lake's Nick Rimando claims second Save of the Week honor of 2014
  36. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/03/21/real-salt-lakes-kyle-beckerman-runs-away-att-mls-goal-week-honors Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman runs away with AT&T MLS Goal of the Week honors
  37. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/03/31/team-week-wk-4-real-salt-lake-stars-lead-way-huge-win-over-toronto-fc Team of the Week (Wk 4): Real Salt Lake stars lead the way in huge win over Toronto FC
  38. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/07/team-week-wk-5-usmnters-lead-way-goal-filled-weekend Team of the Week (Wk 5): USMNTers lead way in goal-filled weekend
  39. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/14/team-week-wk-6-clint-dempsey-leads-way-after-another-multi-goal-performance Team of the Week (Wk 6): Clint Dempsey leads the way after another multi-goal performance
  40. http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2014/04/rimando-wins-mls-player-week Rimando wins MLS Player of the Week
  41. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/21/team-week-wk-7-sporting-kansas-city-players-highlight-weeks-squad Team of the Week (Wk 7): Sporting Kansas City players highlight this week's squad
  42. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/05/05/real-salt-lakes-joao-plata-named-mls-player-week-after-leading-road-comeback Real Salt Lake's Joao Plata named MLS Player of the Week after leading road comeback
  43. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/05/05/team-week-wk-9-two-brazil-bound-skc-players-feature-weeks-squad Team of the Week (Wk 9): Two Brazil-bound SKC players feature in this week's squad
  44. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/05/12/team-week-wk-10-youngsters-show-their-mettle-busy-week-midfielders Team of the Week (Wk 10): Youngsters show their mettle in busy week for midfielders
  45. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/05/16/javier-morales-deft-chip-real-salt-lakes-rout-houston-dynamo-voted-att-goal- Javier Morales' deft chip in Real Salt Lake's rout of Houston Dynamo voted AT&T Goal of the Week
  46. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/05/19/team-week-wk-11-romping-new-england-revolution-show-why-theyre-top-east Team of the Week (Wk 11): Romping New England Revolution show why they're on top of East
  47. http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2014/05/attinella-wins-save-week Attinella wins Save of the Week
  48. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/05/27/team-week-wk-11-landon-donovan-still-among-mls-elite-goal-king-leads-best-xi Team of the Week (Wk 11): Landon Donovan still among MLS elite? Goal king leads Best XI
  49. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/06/06/real-salt-lakes-jeff-attinella-collects-second-save-week-after-getting-low-d Real Salt Lake's Jeff Attinella collects second Save of the Week after getting low to deny Obafemi Martins
  50. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/07/07/team-week-wk-17-chivas-usas-perfect-week-leads-goat-filled-squad Team of the Week (Wk 17): Chivas USA's perfect week leads to a Goat-filled squad
  51. http://www.mlssoccer.com/stats/season?season_year=2014&season_type=REG&team=1899&group=ASSISTS&op=Search&form_id=mls_stats_individual_form Statistics