As the frost on the new turf at America First Field begins to thaw, and green hues across the Salt Lake Valley begin to awaken, it signals the beginning of a new Major League Soccer season.
Real Salt Lake begins their 2023 campaign up north against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday, February 25 and the Seattle Sounders on Saturday, March 4 in the first two matchups before hosting Austin FC in its home opener on Saturday, March 11.
The roster that helped RSL finish seventh in the Western Conference last year, reaching their second consecutive postseason berth, has gone through an overhaul. Gone are Homegrowns Aaron Herrera, Tate Schmitt, Jeff Dewsnup & Chris Garcia along with Johan Kappelhof, Bobby Wood, Bret Halsey, Nick Besler and the Club’s 2022 leading scorer, Sergio Cordova.
To replace those who have left, the Club brought in exciting Colombian starlet An**drés Goméz** to lineup alongside star Jefferson Savarino on the wings. Then to help bolster the defensive depth, the Club brought in Brayan Vera who will bring Serie A experience to the backline. The Club also drafted Ilijah Paul from the University of Washington and **Bertin Jacquesson** from the University of Pittsburgh who both impressed during the preseason.
The Club has also created preseason positional previews for all four position groups going into the season. Below are:
Speaking of preseason, RSL has gone undefeated so far through their preseason schedule, the highlight being a 5-0 win against USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive in which new signingGoméz scored a brace and bagged an assist. The Club will play their final preseason match on Saturday, February 18 against the Chicago Fire before returning back to Utah to prepare for the season opener in Vancouver.
RSL will look to get off to a strong start against the team they shared America First Field with at the beginning of the 2021 season. In the first of the two meetings last year Vancouver got the better of the Claret-and-Cobalt when Ryan Gauld scored an extra-time penalty to give the Whitecaps a 2-1 win. Meanwhile, their next head-to-head ended in a 1-1 draw at America First Field. You can catch the match through Apple MLS Season Pass. For any questions concerning setting up your Apple MLS Season Pass account, click here.
After the season opener there are home games aplenty for RSL fans to look forward to. RSL will travel to Seattle after Vancouver to take on the current CONCACAF Champions League Winners. Last season, RSL won both matches against Seattle, giving RSL the advantage in the all-time head-to-head record, 15 to 14.
Checkout our Top 5 RSL Games to Watch For in 2023 here.
