Home › Soccer Betting › MLS Betting › Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake will be looking for their first winning season since 2014, as they begin play in 2018. Real Salt Lake is coming off a disappointing 2017 season, as they finished two games below .500 and out of the playoffs. It has been hit and miss for RSL in the past few years, as they made the playoffs in 2013 and made it all the way to the MLS Cup; made the playoffs in 2014 and lost in the conference semifinals, but they did nothing in the playoffs in 2016 and in 2015 and in 2017 they missed the playoffs entirely. Real Salt Lake will be looking to get back to the playoffs in 2018.
Real Salt Lake MLS Odds
Real Salt Lake will not be among the favorites to win the MLS Cup in 2018 but they could be a playoff contender. The team was only one point out of sixth place a year ago, so they are capable of making the playoffs, especially when you consider the team went 7-3-4 after the July break last season.
MLS Results
Real Salt Lake just missed out on the playoffs a year ago, as a slow start was simply too much to overcome. The team played well in the second half of the season and owner Dell Loy Hansen was optimistic going forward saying after the season, “If we can keep that team together and improve it, we’ve got a great chance,” Hansen said to the Salt Lake Tribune. “So we’re excited for next year. Just cut us loose.” Head coach Mike Petke said after last season that the team has taken to his style of play. “I don’t think it has to be a lot different,” Petke said to the Salt Lake Tribune, “I think they have embraced my philosophy, style of play, expectations.” Real Salt Lake recently gave Petke a new three-year contract extension.
Real Salt Lake went 9-4-4 at home last season, outscoring opponents by a combined 26-16. They were 4-11 on the road with two draws, getting outscored by a combined 39-23.
Players to Watch
The players to watch for RSL are Kyle Beckerman, even without his famous dreadlocks, winger Jefferson Savarino, who was on loan from Venezuelan club FC Zulia, and Nick Rimando. The question for RSL is whether or not they will be able to keep Rimando, as a number of other teams are expected to come calling for the second-highest paid goalkeeper in the league.
The Coach
Petke took over in April of last year, and as noted earlier, he was given a contract extension even though the team missed the playoffs in 2017.
Real Salt Lake History
Real Salt Lake (RSL) began play as an expansion club in 2005, and their first game against New York ended in a scoreless draw. The team plays its home games at Rio Tinto Stadium in the Salt Lake City suburb of Sandy, Utah. RSL won the 2009 MLS Cup and they were runner-ups in the 2013 MLS Cup. They won the Supporters Shield in 2010 and they won the 2013 U.S. Open Cup. RSL also finished runner-up in the CONCACAF Champions League in 2010-2011. They were the first American club to ever advance to the final. The main rival of RSL is the Colorado Rapids, as the teams compete each season for the Rocky Mountain Cup.
Real Salt Lake Predictions
Real Salt Lake should be able to contend for a playoff spot in 2018. The big key will be holding onto Rimando and getting a marquee goal scorer. If those two things happen RSL could be a surprise contender in the Western Conference in 2018.
Real Salt Lake Roster
G - Nick Rimando
G - Connor Sparrow
G - Matt Van Oekel
D - Tony Beltran
D - Reagan Dunk
D - Chris Schuler
D - Marcelo Silva
D - David Horst
D - Justin Schmidt
D - Justen Glad
D - Chris Wingert
D - Danny Acosta
D - Demar Phillips
MF - Kyle Beckerman (Captain)
MF - Albert Rusnák
MF - José Hernández
MF - Nick Besler
MF - Jordan Allen
MF - Omar Holness
MF - Stephen Sunday
MF - Luke Mulholland
MF - Luis Silva
MF - Sebastian Saucedo
F - Ricardo Velazco
F - Jefferson Savarino
F - Joao Plata
F - Chad Barrett
F - Yura Movsisyan
F - Brooks Lennon
Come today at JustBet Sportsbook and check the current USA MLS Betting Odds on your mobile device and start betting on the best soccer leagues and tournaments around the world at JustBet Sportsbook!
