What Is 2018 Real Salt Lake season

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 Real Salt Lake season was the club's 14th in Major League Soccer, finishing 5th in the Western Conference with a 13-13-8 record and reaching the Western Conference Semifinals after 45 points from 34 games.

Key Facts

Finished 5th in the Western Conference with 45 points
Record of 13 wins, 13 losses, and 8 draws in 34 matches
Advanced to the MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals
Head coach Mike Petke in his first season with the team
Played home games at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah

Overview

Real Salt Lake's 2018 season marked their 14th campaign in Major League Soccer, highlighted by a return to the playoffs after missing in 2017. Under first-year head coach Mike Petke, the team showed resilience and consistency, finishing fifth in the Western Conference with 45 points from 34 matches.

The club balanced strong defensive performances with key offensive contributions, relying on players like Jefferson Savarino and Albert Rusnák. Despite early-season injuries and roster changes, RSL maintained a competitive edge throughout the regular season and secured a postseason berth.

Final record:13-13-8 across 34 regular-season matches, accumulating 45 points in the Western Conference standings.
Playoff appearance: Qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2014, defeating Sporting Kansas City in the knockout round.
Home performance: Earned 25 of 45 points at Rio Tinto Stadium, maintaining a solid home record of 9 wins, 5 losses, and 3 draws.
Top scorer:Albert Rusnák led the team with 8 goals and 5 assists, followed by Savarino with 7 goals and 6 assists.
Managerial change:Mike Petke took over as head coach in November 2017, making 2018 his first full MLS season in charge.

How It Works

The 2018 Real Salt Lake season operated under a new coaching philosophy and tactical approach introduced by Mike Petke, emphasizing disciplined defending and quick transitions. The team adapted to a 4-2-3-1 formation, relying on midfield control and wide play to generate scoring chances.

Tactical formation: Primarily used a 4-2-3-1 system to balance defensive stability and attacking width, adjusting based on opponents.
Midfield engine:Diego Valeri (not to be confused with the Portland player) and Javi Morales provided experience and creativity in central roles.
Defensive structure: The backline allowed 47 goals, ranking mid-table in defensive metrics across the league.
Goalkeeping:Nick Rimando, at age 39, started 27 matches, showcasing veteran leadership between the posts.
Youth integration:Juan Manuel Martínez and Justen Glad emerged as key contributors, with Glad playing 2,400 minutes in defense.
Set-piece strategy: Scored 7 goals from corners or free kicks, highlighting improved dead-ball execution under Petke.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of Real Salt Lake’s 2018 season versus recent campaigns in key performance categories:

Season	Record (W-L-D)	Points	Conference Rank	Playoff Result
2018	13-13-8	45	5th West	Western Conference Semifinals
2017	11-13-10	43	8th West	Did not qualify
2016	11-13-10	43	7th West	Did not qualify
2015	13-15-6	45	6th West	Did not qualify
2014	12-13-9	45	5th West	Knockout Round

The 2018 season represented a slight improvement over previous years, particularly in playoff qualification. While point totals were similar to 2014 and 2015, the team advanced further in the postseason, defeating Sporting KC 3-1 in the knockout round before falling 3-0 to LAFC in the semifinals. This marked RSL’s first playoff win since 2013.

Why It Matters

The 2018 season was a turning point for Real Salt Lake, signaling a potential resurgence under new leadership and setting the foundation for future competitiveness in MLS. It demonstrated the effectiveness of organizational stability and youth development in a league increasingly reliant on tactical nuance and squad depth.

Playoff return: Ended a three-year drought without postseason qualification, boosting fan engagement and morale.
Coaching impact:Mike Petke earned praise for revitalizing team culture and tactical discipline in his debut season.
Player development:Justen Glad and Joao Plata exemplified homegrown success, logging over 2,000 minutes each.
Attendance: Average crowd of 19,375 at Rio Tinto Stadium, reflecting strong regional support.
Transfer strategy: Savarino’s acquisition from Venezuela proved pivotal, contributing 13 goal involvements.
Future outlook: The season laid groundwork for 2019, including stadium upgrades and increased investment in scouting.

Overall, the 2018 Real Salt Lake season served as a bridge between rebuilding years and a renewed push for contention, combining experienced leadership with emerging talent to reestablish the club as a Western Conference threat.