What Is 2007 Real Salt Lake season

Overview

The 2007 season marked Real Salt Lake’s third year in Major League Soccer since joining the league in 2005. Competing in the Western Conference, the team showed modest improvement under head coach Jason Kreis, who was in his first full season at the helm after taking over mid-2006.

Despite a slightly improved record from the previous year, RSL failed to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs. The club played its home matches at Rice-Eccles Stadium on the University of Utah campus, as construction continued on their permanent home, Rio Tinto Stadium, which opened in 2008.

• Record: Real Salt Lake finished the regular season with a 10–13–9 record, earning 39 points from 32 matches.
• Conference Standing: The team placed 5th in the Western Conference, six points behind the 4th-place Chivas USA, who secured the final playoff spot.
• Top Scorer: Forward Robbie Findley led the team with 7 goals in 24 appearances during his rookie season.
• Home Venue: Due to ongoing construction, RSL played all home games at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, with an average attendance of 16,871.
• Manager:Jason Kreis served as player-manager in 2007, transitioning into a full-time coaching role after retiring as a player later that year.

Performance & Coaching

The 2007 campaign was pivotal in shaping Real Salt Lake’s long-term direction, both on and off the field. Jason Kreis began establishing a more cohesive playing style, emphasizing youth development and team cohesion over individual star power.

• Player Development: The emergence of Robbie Findley and Yura Movsisyan signaled a shift toward investing in young, homegrown talent.
• Defensive Struggles: RSL conceded 42 goals—the second-worst in the Western Conference—highlighting ongoing defensive inconsistencies.
• Goalkeeper Rotation:Scott Garlick started 21 games, while rookie Nick Rimando appeared in 11, foreshadowing Rimando’s future as a franchise cornerstone.
• Midfield Leadership:Andy Williams provided playmaking depth, recording 5 assists and anchoring the midfield with experience.
• Attendance Growth: Average attendance rose to 16,871, up from 14,518 in 2006, reflecting growing local support.
• Offseason Changes: The club made key acquisitions like Findley and Movsisyan, setting the foundation for future competitiveness.

Comparison at a Glance

Real Salt Lake’s 2007 season compared to recent years highlights both progress and persistent challenges in playoff qualification.

While the 2007 season matched 2005 in points, RSL failed to break into the postseason. However, the slight improvement in wins and the development of young players laid groundwork for their 2008 playoff appearance—their first in franchise history.

Why It Matters

The 2007 season was a transitional year that helped define Real Salt Lake’s identity and future success. Though they missed the playoffs, key personnel decisions and on-field growth proved crucial in the years ahead.

• Foundation for 2008: The experience gained in 2007 directly contributed to RSL’s first playoff berth and MLS Cup appearance in 2009.
• Coaching Legacy: Jason Kreis solidified his role as a long-term coach, eventually becoming the first former MLS player to win MLS Coach of the Year in 2010.
• Stadium Impact: Playing at Rice-Eccles Stadium kept the team active while Rio Tinto Stadium opened in 2008, becoming a soccer-specific home with strong attendance.
• Youth Investment: The promotion of Findley and Movsisyan signaled a shift toward developing young talent, a strategy that paid dividends in later seasons.
• Attendance Trends: Rising fan support in 2007 demonstrated growing regional interest, helping secure RSL’s long-term presence in Utah.
• League Growth: RSL’s development mirrored MLS’s broader expansion and professionalization during the late 2000s.

The 2007 season may not have delivered postseason success, but it was instrumental in building the foundation for Real Salt Lake’s future achievements, both on the pitch and in the community.