Over the course of the last month, Real Salt Lake fans have cast their votes to name the Claret-and-Cobalt’s All-Time Best XI in the club’s first 11 seasons. Many among the 16,000 season ticket holders and numerous others around the "RSL Nation" weighed in to elevate the following 11 players recognized by the fans as the best to wear the jersey.
Goalkeeper: Nick Rimando
Since arriving on the scene in 2007, Rimando has staked his claim to the nickname “Wall of the Wasatch.” In 249 games with RSL, he has posted 106 wins, 87 shutouts and a 1.09 goals against average. That’s not to mention that he was the club’s MVP in 2007, the two-time RSL Defensive Player of the Year and was crucial to RSL’s 2009 MLS Cup title. The league’s all-time shutout king was the top overall vote-getter on the Best XI.
Defender: Nat Borchers
Borchers came to RSL in 2008 and departed after his contract expired in 2014, setting the defensive tone along with Jamison Olave for the club’s run to the 2009 MLS Cup title, as well as the final of the 2010-2011 CONACACF Champions League. In 205 appearances for RSL, he notched 10 goals and four assists, was the MVP of the 2009 championship team, earned MLS Best XI honors in 2010 and was named RSL’s Defensive Player of the Year three times in his seven seasons with the club.
Defender: Tony Beltran
Beltran was selected third overall in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft and worked his way onto a veteran back line, eventually becoming the stalwart at right back. He has played 195 matches for RSL and in addition to winning MLS Cup in 2009, earned call-ups to the U.S. National Team and is a two-time MLS All-Star.
Defender: Chris Wingert
He was among a bevy of players brought in during Jason Kreis’ first season as head coach that turned the tides for a previously downtrodden organization. He helped solidify the defense that won the 2009 MLS Cup and brought balance with his versatility on the field. In eight seasons, he totaled 204 appearances with one goal and 14 assists.
Defender: Jamison Olave
The 2010 MLS Defender of the Year was one of the more dominating presences in MLS from 2008-2012. Now in his second stint with Real Salt Lake after returning in 2015, he has amassed 142 games played with 11 goals and three assists, earning two MLS Best XI honors and also being named RSL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2009.
Midfielder: Kyle Beckerman
The Captain arrived in Utah as part of a midseason trade in 2007 and has been the heartbeat of the club ever since. In 231 games with RSL, he has 25 goals and 32 assists and became the league’s all-time leader in appearances by a field player in 2015. A seven-time MLS All-Star and three-time RSL MVP, Beckerman also has the feather in his cap of playing in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, starting all three Group Stage matches for the U.S. National Team.
Midfielder Javier Morales
Known as "The Maestro," Morales has pulled the strings in Salt Lake’s attack since his arrival in 2007. Another three-time RSL MVP, he is also RSL’s All-Time assist leader with 77 in 211 career games played. He also has added 45 goals to that total and has been instrumental in RSL’s success since he moved into RSL’s midfield.
Midfielder: Andy Williams
An RSL original, Williams was the club MVP in 2005 and a mainstay in the lineup until his retirement in 2011. In that span he played 189 matches and notched 14 goals and 29 assists. A fan-favorite during his playing days, he now serves as Real Salt Lake’s Head Scout.
Midfielder Will Johnson
Another crucial component to RSL’s MLS Cup-winning midfield, Johnson played 114 matches from 2008-2012, tallying nine goals and eight assists. Johnson is well-regarded by fans and teammates alike for his unrelenting work rate and tenacity on the field and his every-man attitude off of it.
Forward: Alvaro Saborio
From his arrival in 2010 until his departure in 2015, few in MLS had as prolific a goal-scoring rate as Saborio. Real Salt Lake’s all-time leading scorer finished with 63 goals in 127 games and was RSL’s Golden Boot winner four times.
Forward: Jason Kreis
Another RSL original, Kreis was an explosive scorer in his 58 matches in the Claret-and-Cobalt with 17 goals and five assists before his retirement in 2007. He moved straight into the Head Coach’s chair and was among the most successful coaches in MLS from 2007 until he left following the 2013 season, leading his club to two MLS Cup finals - winning in 2009 – a U.S. Open Cup final and CONCACAF Champions League final.
