What Is 2020 Real Salt Lake season

Overview

The 2020 Real Salt Lake season marked the club’s 16th year in Major League Soccer, significantly impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic. The regular season was shortened and restructured, beginning with a stoppage in March before resuming with the MLS is Back Tournament in July.

Under head coach Freddy Juarez, Real Salt Lake showed flashes of promise but struggled with consistency. They ultimately finished ninth in the Western Conference, narrowly missing a playoff berth in the revised format.

• Season start: The season began in late February but was suspended on March 12 after just two games due to the pandemic.
• MLS is Back Tournament: RSL returned to play in July, competing in the Orlando-based tournament but failing to advance past the group stage.
• Regular season format: After the tournament, the league resumed with a regionalized schedule, totaling 23 matches per team.
• Final record: Real Salt Lake finished with 9 wins, 9 losses, and 4 draws, accumulating 31 points from 22 games.
• Home performance: At Rio Tinto Stadium, they posted a 6–3–2 record, one of the better home records in the conference despite missing playoffs.

Performance & Key Players

The 2020 campaign featured notable individual performances amid team inconsistency. Injuries and roster turnover limited long-term momentum, but several players emerged as key contributors.

• Albert Rusnák: The Slovak midfielder led the team with 6 goals and 4 assists in 18 appearances, anchoring the attack.
• Joao Plata: Returned from injury to score 4 goals in 13 games, providing crucial depth up front.
• Aaron Herrera: The left-back earned his first U.S. Men's National Team call-up in November, highlighting his breakout season.
• David Ochoa: The 19-year-old goalkeeper started 17 matches, becoming one of the youngest regular starters in MLS.
• Maikel Chang: Provided energy off the bench, logging 1,152 minutes and recording 2 assists in 20 appearances.
• Head coach change: After initial games under Mike Petke, Freddy Juarez took over in June and managed the remainder of the season.

Comparison at a Glance

Real Salt Lake’s 2020 season performance compared to recent years reveals a decline in playoff competitiveness. The table below outlines key metrics across three seasons.

The 2020 season’s abbreviated format compressed the competition, but Real Salt Lake’s 31 points over 22 games translated to roughly 48 points over a full season—just shy of playoff qualification. Compared to 2019, their points per game dropped from 1.38 to 1.41, but defensive lapses and a weak road record (3–6–2) hindered progress. The team also conceded 32 goals, among the highest in the conference.

Why It Matters

The 2020 season was a transitional year that highlighted both emerging talent and organizational challenges. It underscored the importance of youth development and roster depth in unpredictable circumstances.

• Youth integration: RSL relied heavily on young players like Ochoa and Justen Glad, signaling a shift toward homegrown talent.
• Coaching evolution: Freddy Juarez’s promotion emphasized a long-term vision focused on technical development.
• Financial strain: The pandemic limited ticket revenue, impacting operations at Rio Tinto Stadium.
• USL alignment: Real Monarchs continued as RSL’s USL Championship affiliate, supplying depth during disruptions.
• Player development: Aaron Herrera’s national team call-up boosted RSL’s reputation for producing MLS-caliber defenders.
• Future outlook: The season set the stage for roster overhauls and a renewed focus on consistency in 2021.

While the 2020 campaign lacked postseason success, it provided valuable experience for a young squad navigating unprecedented challenges. The lessons learned contributed to Real Salt Lake’s rebuilding efforts in subsequent seasons.