Real Salt Lake (16-11-7 3rd in the Western Conference) finished 2024 with a new single-season points total, amassing 59 points and pulling off stunning upsets against LAFC and Seattle. The season was also filled with frustrating moments, such as losing the Rocky Mountain Cup to Colorado or being thrashed 3-0 in Portland. The Claret and Cobalt also went on a club-record 15-game unbeaten streak, with superstar Christian “Chicho” Arango scoring a lot of goals. (Chicho finished with 17 goals, tying Alvaro Saberio for the most goals in a season). RSL would then skid, with a heartbreaking loss to the LA Galaxy at home setting the red-hot Claret and Cobalt into disaster. RSL would not recover until later in the season, struggling to keep leads and barely pulling out wins against teams they should have been able to easily handle.
What was RSL’s greatest strength?
Attack
Real Salt Lake found strength in numbers, often overloading one side and switching the point of attack, putting opponents in tough situations. RSL has options in the attack, with Chicho, Anderson Julio, Diego Luna, and Andres Gomez (before his departure). If RSL’s new pieces can mesh correctly with the trio of Chicho, Julio, and Luna then RSL could be dangerous in the near future.
What was RSL’s greatest weakness?
Defense
RSL’s defense struggled this season between injuries and suspensions, often having to place other players in unfamiliar positions because there weren’t enough defensive players to play in the backline. RSL will need to hit the transfer market this winter and bring in some defensive talent to fill the void and give overworked players Justen Glad and Brayan Vera some rest and in turn, give the defense more strength. Injuries have plagued the backline all season and RSL will have to rebuild the depth on defense.
Real Salt Lake’s final grade.
Given the injuries that have decimated the RSL backline and the sudden departure of Andres Gomez, RSL performed well this year, finishing in third place in the west and qualifying for the MLS Cup Playoffs this year after being picked to finish near the bottom. RSL maneuvered through adversity (and got some help from the snow) to exceed expectations and show that they are adaptable and talented.
However, it was far from perfect from the Claret and Cobalt. They lost several 2-0 leads, had to come back against teams they should have been able to easily handle, and left points on the field several times. Despite the success of the attack, the midfield struggled to keep control of the ball and the defense kept making sloppy errors that led to costly turnovers. RSL needs to make sure that their possession is meaningful and that they don’t turn it over in dangerous situations. If RSL can clean up the turnovers and strengthen the midfield, this could be a tough opponent for teams to beat.
Final Grade: B-
Overall, Real Salt Lake has a lot of positives to take away from the 2024 season as well as some things to work on. If Pablo Mastroeni can right the ship and bring his guys together, RSL will be a juggernaut once again.
