At their training facility in Herriman, Real Salt Lake completed their last full preseason practice with a brief walk-through session on Thursday, underscoring the club’s focus ahead of the 2026 season kickoff. The team prepares to meet the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, last season’s MLS Cup runners-up, on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. MST, broadcasting on Apple TV, aiming to unveil a revamped lineup and tactical approach.
Following an extended offseason marked by significant player acquisitions and adapting from a 4-3-2-1 to roughly a 3-4-2 formation, coach Pablo Mastroeni signals optimism but also highlights that the final squad may still have adjustments to make.
Introducing New Talent and Tactical Shifts
Coach Mastroeni noted,
There are going to be some new faces out there,
as the squad travels to British Columbia for their season opener.
What I’m encouraging is for the guys to be brave, and really express themselves.
This sentiment reflects the club’s intent to foster creativity and confidence in their revamped playing style.
The roster additions this year are notable. Real Salt Lake secured 27-year-old Guinean international Morgan Guilavogui from France, along with Uruguayan winger Juan Manuel Sanabria from Atletico San Luis. Defensive reinforcements include Juan Jose Arias, on loan from Atletico Nacional of Colombia, and Danish defender Lukas Engel, acquired permanently after his loan spell at FC Cincinnati.
Real Salt Lake also promoted homegrown midfielders Griffin Dillon and Antonio Riquelme to first-team status after impressive showings with the Real Monarchs last year. Utah native Zach Booth joined on a one-year loan with an option to buy from Eredivisie’s Excelsior, adding local talent to the mix.
Focus on an Aggressive and Creative Offense
The team’s changes, both strategically and personnel-wise, aim to energize their offense by enhancing transition play and boosting creativity on the left flank, where U.S. star Diego Luna is expected to shine. The squad also seeks to utilize runners like local player Zavier Gozo and Nigerian forward Victor Olatunji to increase offensive threats.
Mastroeni explained,
A lot of it is just putting players in the best positions to be successful,
indicating that the current configuration is designed to maximize individual and team strengths.
Diego Luna’s Role Amid Growing Interest
At the heart of Real Salt Lake’s ambitions stands 22-year-old Diego Luna, who earned the MLS Young Player of the Year award in 2024. While European clubs have shown interest, the team expects Luna to stay at least through the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
Although Luna signed a five-year extension in 2024 with options through 2028, his long-term future remains uncertain. Meanwhile, his contributions are vital, considering last season’s tally of nine goals and seven assists in 27 appearances. His performance will be especially important given the challenging early schedule, potentially extending to their home opener on February 28.
Roster Challenges and Promising Youth Stepping Up
Real Salt Lake faces hurdles heading into the season, including visa delays affecting recent MLS SuperDraft pick Sergi Solans, a Spanish forward who arrived in Salt Lake City only this week, and Dutch midfielder Stijn Spierings. Additional last-minute injuries prompt manager Mastroeni to acknowledge possible gaps for the first 5-6 matches.
This situation provides an opportunity for younger talents such as 17-year-old homegrown midfielder Luca Moisa. Moisa, an MLS NEXT All-Star from the RSL Academy, made 19 appearances with the Real Monarchs last season and participated in preseason trips to Portugal and Southern California alongside the first team. Having signed with the Monarchs at only 14, he is expected to make his first-team debut soon, possibly even against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday.
Reflecting on the prospect of facing German legend Thomas Muller in his debut, Moisa shared,
I’ve watched games of him my whole life, seen him in the Champions League final or the World Cup final. Playing next to him, I couldn’t tell myself at 14 that three years later I’d be playing against him; it’s crazy. I’m just happy for the moment, and we’ll see what happens.
Strong Team Cohesion and Positive Atmosphere
Despite the uncertainties, the team’s chemistry appears strong, evident in their final home practice sessions filled with smiles and mutual encouragement. Veteran right back DeAndre Yedlin, who joined RSL last year and recently renewed his contract, praised the welcoming environment.
Yedlin stated,
This team is very easy to assimilate into, with a bunch of guys who are welcoming, a staff that is welcoming, and a club that is really welcoming. It hasn’t been a problem at all. Now it’s just about getting the new guys in and involved; hopefully we can get everybody back here soon.
He added,
It’s been one of the best groups that I’ve been a part of. I’m looking forward to this season.
Looking Ahead to a Defining Season
As Real Salt Lake embarks on its 31st MLS season, the combination of new talent, tactical evolution, and a supportive team environment positions the club for a hopeful, if somewhat tense, year. Key players like Diego Luna and promising youngsters such as Luca Moisa will be crucial to driving success, while overcoming early challenges with roster availability will test the squad’s depth and resilience.
The upcoming matches will reveal how well the new lineup performs under pressure, and fans will watch closely to see if Real Salt Lake can capitalize on its bold changes to achieve competitive results in the demanding 2026 season.
One day closer to our first match pic.twitter.com/VankPH7k5L
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) February 20, 2026
