What Is 2013 Real Salt Lake season

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 Real Salt Lake season saw the team finish 2nd in the MLS Western Conference with a 15–9–10 record, advancing to the MLS Cup Playoffs but losing in the Conference Semifinals. Head coach Jason Kreis led the squad, with key players including Alvaro Saborio and Kyle Beckerman.

Key Facts

Real Salt Lake finished 2nd in the Western Conference with 54 points in 2013
They recorded a 15–9–10 record (wins-losses-draws) during the regular season
Alvaro Saborio scored 13 goals, leading the team in scoring
RSL advanced to the MLS Cup Playoffs but lost 3–1 on aggregate to LA Galaxy
The team played home games at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah

Overview

The 2013 season marked Real Salt Lake's ninth year in Major League Soccer, continuing their consistent performance under head coach Jason Kreis. Playing their home matches at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, the team finished the regular season with a strong 15–9–10 record, accumulating 54 points and securing second place in the Western Conference.

RSL demonstrated balanced play throughout the season, combining solid defense with consistent offensive output. Despite missing the MLS Cup Final, the campaign was considered successful due to their playoff berth and competitive edge in a tough conference. The team also participated in the CONCACAF Champions League, reaching the semifinals before being eliminated by Club Tijuana.

Regular Season Record: Real Salt Lake won 15 games, lost 9, and drew 10, finishing with 54 points in the 2013 MLS season.
Top Scorer: Forward Alvaro Saborio led the team with 13 goals across all competitions, providing crucial offensive firepower.
Home Field Advantage: RSL posted a strong 10–3–5 record at Rio Tinto Stadium, one of the best home performances in the league.
Playoff Run: They advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals but were eliminated by LA Galaxy with a 3–1 aggregate loss.
CONCACAF Campaign: RSL reached the Champions League semifinals, becoming the first MLS team to do so since 2002.

Performance Breakdown

The 2013 season showcased Real Salt Lake’s depth and tactical discipline, with head coach Jason Kreis maintaining a structured 4-4-2 formation. The team emphasized ball control and defensive stability, allowing only 36 goals in 34 regular-season games—the second-fewest in the Western Conference.

Defensive Strength: RSL conceded just 1.06 goals per game, ranking among the league’s most resilient defenses.
Midfield Leadership: Captain Kyle Beckerman played every minute of the regular season, anchoring the midfield with 6 goals and 5 assists.
Goalkeeping:Nick Rimando made 97 saves and recorded 10 clean sheets, reinforcing his status as a top MLS goalkeeper.
Consistency: The team went unbeaten in 7 of 9 matches during a crucial mid-season stretch from July to August.
Set-Piece Efficiency: RSL scored 8 goals from free kicks, the highest in MLS, thanks to Javier Morales’ precision.
Youth Integration: Players like Joao Plata contributed 7 goals and 4 assists, showing the team’s effective use of emerging talent.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how Real Salt Lake’s 2013 season compares to other top Western Conference teams:

Team	Points	Goals For	Goals Against	Playoff Result
Real Salt Lake	54	50	36	Conference Semifinals
LA Galaxy	55	59	38	MLS Cup Champions
Seattle Sounders	52	59	42	Conference Semifinals
Portland Timbers	50	50	43	Did Not Qualify
Sporting KC	63	50	34	Conference Finals

Despite having fewer points than Supporters' Shield winner Sporting KC, Real Salt Lake outperformed several higher-scoring teams due to defensive efficiency. Their low goals-against total highlighted superior organization compared to peers. The table shows RSL ranked second in defensive record and third in points, reflecting their balanced approach.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season reinforced Real Salt Lake’s reputation as a consistent MLS contender and demonstrated the effectiveness of long-term team building. Their run in the CONCACAF Champions League also elevated the profile of MLS on the continental stage.

Regional Pride: Success in 2013 strengthened RSL’s fanbase in Utah, with average attendance of 19,173 per home game.
Development Model: The club’s investment in youth academies began paying off, with homegrown players seeing increased minutes.
CONCACAF Impact: Reaching the semifinals proved MLS teams could compete with top Mexican clubs.
Coaching Legacy: Jason Kreis’ tenure culminated in this season, later earning him recognition as one of MLS’s top coaches.
Foundation for Future: The 2013 roster laid the groundwork for future playoff runs, including a 2014 semifinal appearance.
Statistical Benchmark: The 10 clean sheets and 36 goals allowed set a defensive standard for subsequent RSL teams.

Overall, the 2013 Real Salt Lake season was a testament to consistency, defensive discipline, and continental ambition, marking a high point in the club’s history and setting benchmarks for future success.