| 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) | ||
| |||
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.
- ^ ESPN (February 10, 2021). "Major League Soccer pushes season start date back to April 17". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- ^ MLS Digital Staff. "Explaining the 2021 MLS regular season schedule structure". SportingKC.com. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- ^ Vejar, Alex. "RSL announces increase in fan capacity for home games". SLTrib.com. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- ^ Communications, RSL. "Real Salt Lake Icon Kyle Beckerman Announces His Retirement". RSL.com. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ Walker, Sean. "MLS commish 'optimistic' in sale of Real Salt Lake to local investors by end of year". KSL.com. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ Meyer, Taran. "Jersey Numbers, Rosters and More Ahead of RSL vs. Republic FC". RSL.com. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- ^ Bogert, Tom. "Real Salt Lake 2021 Season Preview". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
- ^ MLSsoccer.com Staff. "Real Salt Lake, head coach Freddy Juarez part ways midseason". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
- ^ Butler, Dylan. "Five moments that defined MLS Decision Day 2021". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 8, 2021.