Real Salt Lake 2026 Season Preview

In partnership with

Major League Soccer

·16 February 2026

Real Salt Lake 2026 Season Preview

By MLSsoccer staff

2026 Schedule

First game: Feb. 21 - 7:30 pm ET at Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Home opener: Feb. 28 - 7:30 pm ET vs. Seattle Sounders FC
Full schedule
Watch on Apple TV

Team Snapshot

Is the year of Diego Luna loading?

OneFootball Videos

Real Salt Lake sure hope so, giving the dynamic midfielder the No. 10 shirt. He's likely to star for the United States at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while winter signing Juan Manuel Sanabria (Uruguay) could also feature at this summer's tournament.

The Claret-and-Cobalt are a perennial Audi MLS Cup Playoffs team under head coach Pablo Mastroeni. To stay there, new Designated Player forward Morgan Guilavogui will look to impress alongside Luna, Zavier Gozo and Victor Olatunji.

Key Signings

Juan José Arias: The Colombian defender is on loan from Atlético Nacional and occupies a U22 Initiative roster slot.
Lukas Engel: After spending 2025 on loan at FC Cincinnati, the Danish defender joins RSL from EFL Championship side Middlesbrough FC.
Morgan Guilavogui: The Guinea international striker joins RSL as a Designated Player from French Ligue 1 side Lens.
Juan Manuel Sanabria: After starring at LIGA MX side Atlético San Luis, the wingback joins RSL as Uruguay prepare for the 2026 World Cup.
Stijn Spierings: The veteran Dutch midfielder most recently featured for Brøndby IF in Denmark.

Full roster

In case you weren’t familiar with Morgan’s game
– Tuesday, 3 February 2026

Key Departures

William Agada: The Nigerian striker was out of contract following the 2025 MLS season.
Rwan Cruz: The Brazilian striker's loan from Botafogo was cut short, opening a Designated Player roster slot.
Diogo Gonçalves: The Portuguese midfielder had his contract bought out, opening a Designated Player roster slot.
Braian Ojeda: The Paraguayan international midfielder was traded to Orlando City after spending three-and-a-half seasons with RSL.
Brayan Vera: The Colombian defender was traded to CF Montréal after making 92 appearances over three seasons with RSL.