What Is 2015 Real Salt Lake season

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 Real Salt Lake season saw the team finish 3rd in the Western Conference with a 12–13–9 record, reaching the MLS Cup Playoffs before losing in the Conference Semifinals to LA Galaxy on aggregate. Head coach Jeff Cassar led the squad, with forward Joao Plata scoring a team-high 11 goals.

Key Facts

Real Salt Lake finished the 2015 MLS regular season with a 12–13–9 record (45 points)
They placed 3rd in the Western Conference, securing a playoff berth
Head coach Jeff Cassar managed the team throughout the season
Joao Plata led the team in scoring with 11 goals and 5 assists
RSL lost to LA Galaxy 4–2 on aggregate in the Western Conference Semifinals

Overview

The 2015 season marked Real Salt Lake's 11th year in Major League Soccer, continuing their streak of consistent playoff appearances. Under head coach Jeff Cassar, the team aimed to build on previous successes, including their 2009 MLS Cup title and strong 2014 campaign.

RSL played their home matches at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, maintaining a solid fan-supported environment. Despite mid-table finishes in some seasons, the 2015 campaign reaffirmed their status as a competitive Western Conference side.

Regular season record: Real Salt Lake finished with 12 wins, 13 losses, and 9 draws, accumulating 45 points from 34 games.
Playoff qualification: Their 3rd-place finish in the Western Conference secured them a spot in the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Top scorer: Forward Joao Plata led the team with 11 goals and 5 assists, earning recognition as a key offensive force.
Home performance: RSL earned 25 of their 45 points at Rio Tinto Stadium, highlighting their strength on home soil.
Managerial leadership:Jeff Cassar served as head coach for the second consecutive season after taking over from Jason Kreis in 2014.

Performance & Key Players

The 2015 season showcased a balanced squad with standout individual performances and tactical consistency. RSL relied on a mix of experienced players and emerging talent to maintain competitiveness in a strong Western Conference.

Joao Plata: The Ecuadorian winger recorded 11 goals and was instrumental in attack, earning a spot in the MLS Best XI consideration.
Javier Morales: The Argentine playmaker contributed 7 goals and 8 assists, demonstrating his enduring influence in midfield.
Nick Rimando: Goalkeeper Rimando made 97 saves across the season, maintaining his reputation as one of the league’s top shot-stoppers.
Defense stability: Center-back pairing Chris Schuler and Jamison Olave started 24 combined games, providing crucial defensive solidity.
Young talent:Justen Glad made 14 appearances as a rookie, signaling a shift toward integrating younger defenders.
Discipline: RSL accumulated 49 yellow cards and 3 red cards, reflecting a competitive but occasionally aggressive style.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how Real Salt Lake’s 2015 season compares to key Western Conference rivals:

Team	W–L–D	Points	Goals For	Goals Against
FC Dallas	15–8–11	56	59	36
Seattle Sounders	15–12–7	52	50	46
Real Salt Lake	12–13–9	45	48	46
LA Galaxy	17–10–7	58	58	47
Portland Timbers	14–12–8	50	50	44

The table shows RSL ranked 3rd in the West, behind FC Dallas and LA Galaxy in points. While their goals conceded matched Seattle and Portland, their offensive output was slightly below top contenders. Their playoff exit to LA Galaxy, losing 3–1 and 1–1 in the two legs, underscored challenges in high-pressure matches.

Why It Matters

The 2015 season was a transitional yet competitive year for Real Salt Lake, reflecting both continuity and emerging shifts in roster and strategy. It highlighted the club’s ability to remain relevant in a deep conference while preparing for future changes.

Playoff consistency: Making the playoffs for the 8th time in 10 seasons reinforced RSL’s organizational stability.
Player development: The emergence of Justen Glad and Luis Silva signaled progress in homegrown talent integration.
Coaching evaluation: Jeff Cassar’s second season faced scrutiny, leading to his departure after the 2016 season.
Attendance: RSL averaged 19,487 fans per game, ranking among the league’s top in attendance, showing strong local support.
US Open Cup: The team was eliminated in the 3rd round by Oklahoma City Energy, a minor setback in domestic cup competition.
Future outlook: The 2015 season laid groundwork for roster changes and a shift toward youth ahead of the 2016 campaign.

In summary, the 2015 Real Salt Lake season was a testament to resilience and consistency, even without a championship run. It served as a bridge between eras, maintaining playoff relevance while setting the stage for future evolution.