Top 10 Most Influential RSL Players
Real Salt Lake’s history is more than trophies, stats, and highlight reels. It’s something more human. It’s built on the shoulders of the players who gave us something to believe in. As a long-time lover of the club these players have become a part of my life in a way, I’m sure many of you can understand. They become heroes, legends, and trusted role models. In this list we’ll look beyond the stat sheets for a more complete idea of what it means to be an RSL top ten man. We’ll be looking at performance on the pitch yes but also leadership in the locker room, connection with supporters, and overall impact on the community outside of matchdays. Our most influential RSL players are the ones who have helped define the club’s culture. The ones who have lifted its big moments and left a mark that still shapes the team today.
10- Diego Luna
Starting us off at the number 10 spot is Diego Luna. Luna has had a major impact in a relatively short time with RSL. He is arguably the face of the club in its current form. Luna was named MLS Young Player of the Year in 2024 after an outstanding breakout year. The momentum kept going with MLS All-Star nods in both 2024 and 2025. He has been an impactful player with the USMNT in recent years as well, although he was left off the initial roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Beyond the stats, Luna is a player that fans connect with. He gives us someone to root for on and off the pitch. He takes time to talk with fans when he’s recognized in public and always has a smile on and a kind word. Diego has already made a lasting impact on the club, landing him solidly on this list.
9- Robbie Findley
No RSL top ten list would be complete without Robbie Findley. As a major attacking piece of the 2009 MLS Cup Champion RSL team, he cemented his legacy with the club. He played more than 130 games with the club and scored 36 goals. One of those goals in particular ensures his place on this list.Robbie Findley scored the equalizer in the 2009 MLS Cup Final that pushed the match to penalties. Robbie Findley gave RSL fans something to believe in and is a key reason why the badge carries a star today.
8- Damir Kreilach
Fan favorite Damir Kreilach came on the scene and became a leader for a newer RSL era. His locker room presence and off-field work were at the center of why the fans still love him to this day. Dami performed on the pitch as well, scoring 16 goals with 9 assists in 2021, but his leadership and kind nature endeared him to the fans. After being named club MVP in 2021 he entered into 2022 wearing the captain’s armband, leading the club in a way only Dami could. An unfortunate injury weakened his back and limited his time on the pitch but did not slow him down as a leader. Dami set up Kreilach’s corner, a section of the stadium that was used to provide tickets to underprivileged families so they could get a chance to see the club play in person. Dami embodies the belief that “football is for everyone.”
7- Jamison Olave
He ran down Wayne Rooney in an All-Star match like a crazy Colombian freight train. That would be enough to earn him a spot on a lot of top 10 lists, but he did so much more. He was a dominant defender and driving force behind the 2009 MLS Cup win. In 2010 he was awarded MLS Defender of the Year, which is no surprise to those who were around to watch him. A terrifying combination of size and speed, Jamison Olave was the last thing you would want to see careening toward you at full speed. In that 2010 season, he was a key reason why RSL set a league record for the fewest goals allowed in a season with only 20 goals against. As scary as he was on the pitch, Olave was even better for the fans off of it. Always willing to engage with the fans, his good nature would light up any room. Jamison Olave is a genuine jewel of a person and menace of a player.
6- Tony Beltran
Another defender extraordinaire on this list is Tony Beltran. Coming to the club from the MLS Super Draft out of UCLA, Tony made an instant impact. He started in 230 of his first 245 regular season appearances for RSL. Earning league-wide respect, he was named to the MLS All-Star team in 2013 and 2015. He played 12 years for the club before injuries caught up with him, ending his career. He transitioned from the pitch to the front office following the 2019 season. He continued to make a meaningful impact on the club by helping bring RSL back to its roots with the “RSL Way” manifesto. In the modern era of RSL, he has been an integral part of the development pipeline leading the RSL Academy to a new era of excellence, raising GPAs of the students by nearly double to 3.8. Tony Beltran has left his mark on and off the pitch and will surely go down as a club legend.
5- Álvaro Saborío
RSL all-time leading goal scorer Álvaro Saborío bagged 63 regular season goals and 79 goals across all competitions for RSL. A truly elite striker, he was recognized by the Salt Lake Tribune for having four consecutive double-digit scoring seasons in the 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 seasons. Sabo gave RSL fans something to cheer about every match. The man with the magic feet helped build a golden era of RSL. Consistent Cup contenders, a magic run in Concacaf Champions League (now Concacaf Champions Cup) and plenty of other accolades set him apart from other MLS strikers at the time. Sabo may not have been the loudest personality in club history, but his influence lives on.
4- Jason Kreis
The one that started it all. The first ever player signed by RSL and its first ever captain, Jason Kreis. Jason couldn’t leave the firsts alone and also scored the first ever goal for RSL. That still wasn’tenough though and when his player career ended, he became the first ever RSL player to become head coach, less than a week after “retiring”. Still not satisfied with his list of firsts, he became the first RSL coach to bring the club an MLS Cup. He then brought RSL to its first Concacaf Champions League final. Jason Kreis is intertwined with RSL in a way that only a select few can be. His name is literally carved into the stadium. He now serves as the President of Soccer Operations for the club after spending some, at least for the fans, very painful years apart. Jason continues his relentless pursuit of excellence today working with Kurt Schmid and coach Pablo Mastroeni to build one of the most competitive rosters RSL has ever seen. Jason’s down to earth and calm presence instantly endearshim to fans. Jason has a talent for making you feel like the most important person in the world when he talks to you. He cares deeply about this club and his contributions since his return are only the beginning.
3- Javier Morales
Javier Morales’s contributions to the club are huge. Another member of the illustrious group of players carved into the ring of honor. Javi is RSL’s all-time assist leader and undisputed creative engine of RSL’s golden era. Javi began playing with RSL in 2007 and made 240 appearances with the club. He scored 49 goals and 81 assists. The Maestro is a universal choice for an RSL Mount Rushmore. His creativity and selfless play made him easy to love. RSL wouldn’t be where it is today without Javier Morales.
2- Nick Rimando
Nick Ri-man-do clapclap*clap*clap*clap* Anyone who had the pleasure of watching the greatest keeper in MLS history is familiar with this chant. Nick made 369 starts for RSL in MLS play and 33,210 minutes played. In his 13 years with the club, he endeared himself to the fans with consistent performances, a hunger for excellence, and some of the flat out most fun soccer to watch. Nick is not just an RSL legend but an MLS one. 514 games played for MLS for a total of 46,336 career minutes, leading MLS all-time in both categories. 223 wins and 154 clean sheets. An awe inspiring 1,712 career saves. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame and became a member of the Ring of Honor at America First Field. Nick continues his RSL legacy today serving as a goalkeeper coach for the RSL Academy, bringing up the next generation of keepers.
1- Kyle Beckerman
KB5 is a defining player in RSL history. Joining the club from hated rival Colorado Rapids, he was a boon from the beginning. Kyle was a player that...wasn’t well liked by other teams. He was scrappy, tough, had a mouth on him, and was a master of the tactical foul. He was given the captain’s armband in 2008 and wore it throughout the rest of his career. Kyle’s personality transcended the pitch. Scarves, t-shirts, posters, and chants of “Dread the Dreads!”, a reference to his signature dreadlocks, were commonplace. Kyle has been named as one of “The 25 Greatest” players in MLS history. He played for21 years in the league with the majority at RSL. A defensive workhorse he also put up goals, credited with 30 goals and 34 assists for RSL. He was a lead-by-example kind of captain and beloved by his teammates. He was the perfect complement to Javier Morales. If Javi was the brain, Kyle was the heart. Kyle put RSL on the international stage representing the US at the World Cup. Kyle didn’t just help set RSL’s identity; he arguably is RSL’s identity incarnate. He still lives in Utah and helps build the sport here. He recently left his position as Head Coach of Utah Valley University Men’s Soccer, and we can only hope to see him involved in RSL again soon in some capacity.
Real Salt Lake’s history is more than wins and losses. It’s more than statistics and trophies. It’shuman, these humans. And others who came along the way. Each man on this list earned his way there in a different way but every single one changed my life and the lives of countless fans like me. Their impact shows that influence is not measured by numbers, but by the emotions and memories they created for themselves and for us. It’s measured in moments, in standards, in legacy. Sports bring people together because sports give us the chance to watch epic stories play out in real time. RSL has changed me and these ten men are a huge part of that. They gave us something to Believe in and “If you believe, then just stand up on your feet. And shout out loud, Real. Here at the Riot the battle hymns begun. We’re here for RSL.”
