Real Salt Lake is a Major League Soccer franchise located in Salt Lake City, Utah that began playing in MLS in 2005. The team will initially play its home games at the University of Utah's Rice-Eccles Stadium, although numerous communities in the area have expressed interest in building the team a soccer-specific stadium.
The club is owned by Dave Checketts , whose desire to attach his team to a successful soccer club, Real Madrid, as well as to develop a brand that clearly connoted 'soccer', was the inspiration for the name. Fan support for the name, however, has not been positive, as rumors that the name would be Real Salt Lake were largely met with derision and pessimism. Many people felt the name should more accurately reflect the Salt Lake area, particularly as the city's other professional team, the Utah Jazz of the NBA, does not. Although it is yet to be seen how both the American and European media respond to this highly unconventional name, there has been little derision or disapproval so far.
Their first head coach is John Ellinger, former coach of the Under-17 United States national team and the head of USSF's Bradenton Academy.
Current roster
Head coaches
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