Real Salt Lake 2026 Season Preview

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Hooligan Soccer

·5 February 2026

Real Salt Lake 2026 Season Preview

This article was written after recording The Designated Pundits‘ Real Salt Lake preview for the 2026 MLS Season with special guest Alex Napoles from “KSL Sports.” You can find that video on Spotify below.

2025 Recap

Real Salt Lake’s 2025 season had a lot of different possible outcomes, and their end result may have been one of the worst. They finished 12-5-17 which was 9th in the Western Conference. They were eliminated by the Portland Timbers in the play-in round of the playoffs.

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RSL’s 9-1-7 home record was missing the draws required to move up the table, while their 3-4-11 away record was poor. Overall, poor offensive performance is what killed RSL’s chances last season. However, they did bring in at least 8 different forwards in 2025. This reflects their intent in finding an attacker that will work in the system.

Transactions

Real Salt Lake had a lot of player movement in the offseason. Defender Brayan Vera, midfielder Braian Ojeda, and forward Rwan Cruz are notable subtractions.

Late season arrival Victor Olatunji, who came in August, only played eight matches, bur his four goals in that limited span have RSL supporters excited for what he can produce in 2026.

Real Salt Lake brought in CB Lukas Engel and midfielder Stijn Spierings, both of whom should be day one starters. Between filming this episode and writing the article, the team completed a transfer for Morgan Guilavogui. Guilavogui played for Paris FC, St. Pauli, and Lens.

Depth Chart

Real Salt Lake is going to mix things up this year, and early indications show them using a 3 man CB group with Engel, Justen Glad, and DeAndre Yedlin (yes, that one).

They will use Juan Manuel Sanabria and Dominik Marczuk as “wingers” with Stijn Spierings and Emeka Eneli in midfield.

The top three attackers are going to be Diego Luna (bouncing between wing play and inside as a #10), Guilavogui (as a winger or paired up top with Olatunji) and Victor Olatunji (as the everyday striker).

Rafael Cabral is back in goal, and is a strength of RSL.

Which player, outside our projected starting 11, has the best chance to win a job? Noel Caliskan.
What are some realistic expectations for 2026? Real Salt Lake wants to build a definitive playstyle and make the playoffs this season.
What are some storylines to follow throughout the 2026 season? What is in store for Diego Luna and Zavier Gozo? After the World Cup, both should be heading abroad.
What styles does this team match up well against? They should play well against teams that give their wings too much space or play too high of a line on defense. RSL can take advantage with through balls or long passes over the top.
What styles does this team match up poorly against? Again this year, RSL will when they play teams with 3 dedicated forwards.
What player improves the most in 2026? Zavier Gozo could become a star and earn a transfer to Europe.
Which player regresses in 2026? Justen Glad.

Hear more, and follow along as I preview all 30 MLS teams before kickoff of the 2026 season!

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