Real Salt Lake kicks off the 2026 regular season on the road against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Head coach Pablo Mastroeni emphasized that this opener, described as 'not an easy place to play,' will set the tone for the year. The squad aims to build on last season's struggles, which saw them finish ninth in the West and lose in the Wild Card round.
President of soccer operations Jason Kreis has set higher expectations for 2026, aiming for deep playoff runs rather than just qualification. To address offensive deficits, the team plans to play more vertically, a strategy headlined by new additions and a focus on vertical runs rather than just long kicks.