2023 MLS Regular Season Record: 14W - 8D - 12L
What I said last winter:
Unfortunately didn’t get to reviewing them last winter
What happened:
A slow start out of the gates, but things picked up in the summer
The club had a great summer window with the signings of Cristian Arango, Braian Ojeda, and Nelson Palacio
The squad qualified for playoffs, but were knocked out by Houston in the best-of-three round
Key Takeaways from 2023
These Numbers Honestly Surprised Me
I have to admit, I did not closely follow Real Salt Lake this year. So, when I began reviewing their year-end data, I was surprised by their strong performance across various categories. Then even more surprised when I took another look at their summer signings, including Cristian Arango and Nelson Palacio. The club seems to be making the right moves while also furthering the development of talented young players such as Diego Luna.
For most matches this season, Real Salt Lake utilized a 4-4-2 formation. Braian Ojeda and Palacio started in central midfield, and Arango paired up with Jefferson Savarino or Danny Musovski up top. The club also shuffled their midfield throughout the season, with a few other players featuring, including Maikel Chang and Andrés Gómez.
RSL ranked near the top in several attacking statistics, such as shots on target, assists, and big chances created. Quoting from the RSL Soapbox, “RSL is a team that prefers the ball in the air and likes to play long — but choosing long passes means they're attempting them at a lower ratio of optimal moments, driving success numbers down.” However, it's worth noting that this analysis is from the beginning of the 2022 season, and tactical changes may have occurred since then.
The club outperformed in Goals minus Expected Goals at +4.5, placing them ninth in the league in this metric.
Savarino emerged as their top goal scorer in the regular season with 7 goals compared to 5.2 expected goals, followed by Arango (6 goals vs. 3.0 xG), Justen Glad (5 goals vs. 2.3 xG), Luna (5 goals vs. 2.7 xG), and Musovski (5 goals vs. 4.5 xG). Honestly, RSL’s goal scoring is quite spread across the club, which is nice to see.
Players who underperformed in G - xG include Anderson Julio (5 goals vs. 5.6 xG), Gómez (1 goal vs. 2.6 xG), and Rubio Rubin (2 goals vs. 4 xG).
In terms of possession stats, RSL ranked first in accurate long balls, which pairs well with the narrative from RSL Soapbox about their preference for sending long balls from the keeper and backline. They only maintained the majority of possession in slightly less than half of their matches, with a higher frequency of such matches at home.
The biggest struggle I think for RSL this season was goalkeeping. Zac MacMath started a majority of games, but missed a few matches and was benched occasionally in lieu of young goalkeeper Gavin Beavers did player 7 matches. The backline was middle of the table for allowed shots on-target, but the save percentage for the keeper duo was eighth lowest.
The biggest struggle for RSL this season, I believe, was in goalkeeping. While Zac MacMath started the majority of games, he missed a few matches and was occasionally benched in favor of the young goalkeeper Gavin Beavers, who played in 7 matches. The backline ranked in the middle of the table for allowed shots on target, but the save percentage for the goalkeeper duo was the eighth lowest.
MacMath finished at -0.10 in post-shot expected goals and Beavers finished at -2.5 that total for RSL’s -2.6 PSxG. It was sixth lowest in MLS.
My analysis here is somewhat limited since, as mentioned, I didn't watch this club much. I'm relying on data, but it's an intriguing story, I think. I might have to stay up for a few more MLS after-dark matches because of it. The club did lose to Houston in the playoffs early, but Houston was a strong squad this year, so there's no real shame there. Going into 2024, the Claret and Cobalt—yes, that's an actual nickname according to Wikipedia—will have few spots in their roster to address, but are building towards another solid season.
Top Sorare Fantasy Performers
Goalkeeper: Zac MacMath | L15: 48 | 60+ pts games: 12 | Clean sheets: 10 | Penalties saved: 2
Defender: Justen Glad | L15: 45 | 60+ pts games: 13 | Goals: 5 | Assists: 0 | Clean sheets: 9
Midfielder: Braian Ojeda | L15: 53 | 60+ pts games: 10 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1
Forward: Cristian Arango | L15: 51 | 60+ pts games: 9 | Goals: 8 | Assists: 1
Extra: Jefferson Savarino | L15: 52 | 60+ pts games: 12 | Goals: 9 | Assists: 3
2024 Outlook
Last Updated 2/4/2024
GIF Rating:
Outgoing Players
Damir Kreilach - Central Midfielder - Option Declined (in talks with club for new contract)
Julio Benitez - Defensive Midfielder - Option Declined
Scott Caldwell - Central Midfielder - Out of Contract
Danny Musovski - Centre-forward - Out of Contract
Moses Neyman - Defensive Midfielder - Loan Expired
Jasper Löffelsend - Central Midfielder - Traded to Colorado in exchange for second round pick in 2025 draft, an international roster spot, and up to $100k in General Allocation Money (GAM)
Jefferson Savarino - Winger - Transferred to Botafogo
Rubio Rubín - Centre-forward - Loaned to Queretaro
Incoming Players
Tommy Silva - Left-back - Homegrown signing
Fidel Barajas - Right Midfielder - Transfer from Charleston Battery
Alexandros Katranis - Left-back - Transfer from Piast Gliwice
Rumor Mill
Joshua Windass - Attacking Midfielder - Interest from RSL and contract expires in summer.
You have my attention
Alright, I’m going to watch more RSL games. That’s my promise for this season.
The roster experienced the departure of a few notable players, including Damir Kreilach and Jefferson Savarino. However, Kreilach, who had been dealing with injuries, wasn't featuring much in recent seasons.
RSL also has invested in a number of academy talents, with nine homegrown players on the senior roster—possibly one of the highest in the league. The impact these players will have on the field remains to be seen.
In terms of immediate needs, finding a replacement for Savarino and a suitable partner for Cristian Arango are top priorities. With two open designated player spots, RSL has the opportunity to bring in quality players, but the timing of these acquisitions is a question mark. Joshua Windass, linked to RSL in a recent Tom Bogert scoop, won't be available until the summer on a free transfer.
Overall, I believe the roster is strong, and with the right additions, RSL could contend for silverware this year in various competitions—perhaps not the Supporter's Shield, but maybe the League's Cup or Open Cup.