What Is 2019 Real Salt Lake season

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 Real Salt Lake season saw the team finish 4th in the Western Conference with a 14–13–7 record, qualifying for the MLS Cup Playoffs where they lost in the first round to LAFC. Head coach Mike Petke was fired mid-season after a 4–5–2 start, replaced by interim coach Pablo Mastroeni. Midfielder Albert Rusnák led the team with 10 goals and 5 assists.

Key Facts

Real Salt Lake finished the 2019 MLS season with a 14–13–7 record
They placed 4th in the Western Conference
Head coach Mike Petke was dismissed on July 1, 2019
Pablo Mastroeni served as interim head coach for the remainder of the season
Albert Rusnák recorded 10 goals and 5 assists

Overview

The 2019 season marked a transitional year for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer, as the club navigated coaching changes, inconsistent performances, and a late playoff push. Competing in the Western Conference, RSL finished with 49 points from 34 matches, securing a postseason berth but exiting in the first round.

Despite early struggles under head coach Mike Petke, the team rallied under interim manager Pablo Mastroeni after his mid-season appointment. Key contributions came from midfielders like Albert Rusnák and Damir Kreilach, who helped stabilize the attack and maintain playoff contention.

Final record: Real Salt Lake finished with 14 wins, 13 losses, and 7 draws, accumulating 49 points over 34 regular-season games.
Playoff appearance: The team qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive year, ending the season as the 4th seed in the Western Conference.
Coaching change: Head coach Mike Petke was dismissed on July 1, 2019, following a 4–5–2 start to the season and growing criticism over tactics and player management.
Interim leadership: Assistant coach Pablo Mastroeni was promoted to interim head coach and led the team for the remainder of the campaign, posting a 10–8–5 record.
Top performer: Midfielder Albert Rusnák recorded 10 goals and 5 assists, leading the team in scoring and finishing tied for second in club history for single-season goal contributions.

How It Works

The structure of the MLS season determines how teams qualify for the playoffs, with performance metrics directly impacting postseason chances. For Real Salt Lake in 2019, results were shaped by roster decisions, coaching strategies, and in-game execution.

Regular season format: Each team plays 34 matches across the season, with three points awarded for a win and one for a draw, determining conference standings.
Playoff qualification: The top seven teams in each conference qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs, with RSL securing the 4th seed in the West.
Home and away splits: Real Salt Lake went 9–5–3 at Rio Tinto Stadium but struggled on the road with a 5–8–4 record, highlighting inconsistency.
Goal differential: The team finished with a +4 goal differential (48 scored, 44 conceded), indicating a relatively balanced attack and defense.
Roster turnover: RSL saw seven roster changes during the summer transfer window, including the departure of defender Tony Beltran and arrival of center back Joao Klauss.
Injury impact: Key players like Nick Rimando missed multiple games due to injury, affecting defensive stability and squad depth throughout the season.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing Real Salt Lake’s 2019 performance to recent seasons highlights trends in consistency, coaching impact, and playoff outcomes.

Season	Record (W-L-D)	Points	Conference Finish	Playoff Result
2019	14–13–7	49	4th West	Lost in First Round
2018	12–12–10	46	6th West	Lost in First Round
2017	11–12–11	45	7th West	Did Not Qualify
2016	11–13–10	43	9th West	Did Not Qualify
2015	15–13–6	51	4th West	Lost in Conference Semifinals

The 2019 season showed modest improvement over 2018 in both points and standings, though the playoff result mirrored the previous year’s early exit. Compared to 2015, RSL had similar conference positioning but less postseason success, reflecting evolving league competitiveness and internal challenges.

Why It Matters

The 2019 campaign was pivotal in shaping Real Salt Lake’s long-term strategy, exposing weaknesses in coaching continuity and roster depth while highlighting individual player potential.

Coaching instability: The mid-season firing of Mike Petke signaled organizational dissatisfaction and led to a restructuring of the technical staff in the offseason.
Player development: Young talents like Juan Antonio and Justen Glad gained significant minutes, indicating a shift toward homegrown talent.
Attendance trends: Average home attendance was 18,341 per game, down slightly from 2018, reflecting fan concerns over performance and management.
Front office changes: General manager Elliot Panicco departed in December 2019, leading to a broader reevaluation of team leadership.
Transfer strategy: The club began prioritizing younger, international signings over veteran MLS players, a shift evident in 2020 roster moves.
Legacy impact: The season underscored the need for long-term planning, influencing RSL’s investment in youth academies and analytics in subsequent years.

Ultimately, the 2019 season served as a bridge between eras for Real Salt Lake, marking the end of one coaching regime and the beginning of a broader organizational transformation aimed at sustainable success.