What Is 2016 Real Salt Lake season

Overview

The 2016 season marked a turning point for Real Salt Lake (RSL), as the club failed to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011. Competing in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference, RSL struggled with consistency, finishing with a 12-13-9 record and 45 points, placing 9th in the conference.

Mid-season coaching changes and defensive instability defined the campaign. After a promising start, losses mounted, leading to the dismissal of head coach Jeff Cassar. Interim leadership and player fatigue contributed to a decline in performance during the final stretch of the season.

• 12 wins, 13 losses, and 9 draws: RSL’s regular-season record reflected inconsistency, with only 45 points earned across 34 games.
• Missed playoffs: For the first time since 2011, Real Salt Lake did not qualify for the postseason, ending a five-year playoff streak.
• Jeff Cassar dismissed on May 17: After a 3-7-1 start, Cassar was let go, with assistant Daryl Shore taking over as interim head coach.
• Nick Rimando’s milestone: On July 2, 2016, goalkeeper Nick Rimando played his 300th consecutive MLS match, a league record at the time.
• Home record of 9-5-3: Rio Tinto Stadium remained a strong fortress, where RSL earned 32 of their 45 points.

Coaching & Roster Changes

The 2016 season was heavily influenced by leadership shifts and player transitions. After Jeff Cassar’s departure, Daryl Shore managed the team until late July, when former RSL assistant Jeffrey Cassar briefly returned before Mike Petke was named head coach for 2017.

• Jeff Cassar: Served as head coach from January to May 2016, overseeing a 3-7-1 start before being dismissed.
• Daryl Shore: Took over as interim coach and led RSL to a 9-6-8 record, though playoff hopes faded in September.
• Nick Rimando: Played in 33 of 34 matches, logging over 2,970 minutes and recording 9 clean sheets.
• Joao Plata: Scored 7 goals and provided 5 assists, leading the team in scoring despite injury setbacks.
• Yura Movsisyan: Contributed 6 goals before transferring to FC Krasnodar in August, weakening the attacking lineup.
• Defensive struggles: RSL conceded 48 goals, the worst defensive record among Western Conference teams outside the bottom two.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how RSL’s 2016 season compared to key Western Conference rivals:

Despite outscoring Vancouver and San Jose in some metrics, RSL’s inability to convert draws into wins—especially on the road—proved costly. The team managed only 3 wins in 17 away games, highlighting a lack of resilience outside their home stadium.

Why It Matters

The 2016 season served as a wake-up call for Real Salt Lake’s front office, prompting major organizational changes. Poor results and fan dissatisfaction led to a complete overhaul of coaching staff and roster strategy ahead of the 2017 season.

• End of playoff streak: Missing the postseason broke a five-year run of appearances, raising concerns about team direction.
• Coaching reset: The mid-season firing of Cassar signaled a shift toward more accountable leadership, culminating in Mike Petke’s hiring.
• Roster turnover: The departure of Yura Movsisyan and underperformance of key attackers led to a reevaluation of recruitment strategy.
• Defensive overhaul: Conceding 48 goals prompted the team to strengthen the backline in the offseason.
• Attendance dip: Average home attendance dropped to 17,800, down from previous years, reflecting fan disillusionment.
• Foundation for rebuilding: The struggles of 2016 laid the groundwork for a more competitive 2017–2018 campaign under new management.

In hindsight, the 2016 season was a pivotal moment that forced Real Salt Lake to reassess its approach, ultimately leading to long-term structural improvements within the club.