HERRIMAN, Utah (Wednesday, January 19, 2021) – Real Salt Lake has re-signed defender Tate Schmitt ahead of the 2022 Major League Soccer season, rejoining a defensive unit that helped lead the Club on its historic run to the 2021 Western Conference Final. Schmitt’s contract is guaranteed for the 2022 season with an option for the 2023 season.
Schmitt, 24, first joined Real Salt Lake as a Homegrown Player prior to the start of the 2019 season. In his three years with the Club he has appeared in 10 matches, four of which were starts. In 2021, Schmitt spent the majority of the season on loan to Phoenix Rising FC where he appeared in 23 matches, helping the team earn an undefeated record at home.
In the 2019 season Schmitt was part of the Real Monarchs Roster that lifted the USL Championship trophy, defeating Louisville City to win the team’s first championship in his former home venue at the University of Louisville.
In between his time with the RSL Academy and Real Salt Lake he spent four years as a member of University of Louisville’s soccer program. During his time as a Cardinal, Schmitt scored 26 goals and tallied 17 assists in 80 appearances.
As of January January 19, 2022, Real Salt Lake’s current roster headed into 2022 listed alphabetically by position is as follows:
Goalkeepers (4): Gavin Beavers, Jeff Dewsnup, Zac MacMath, David Ochoa
Defenders (9): Andrew Brody, Zack Farnsworth, Justen Glad, Bret Halsey, Aaron Herrera, Erik Holt, Jaziel Orozco, Marcelo Silva, Tate Schmitt
Midfielders (7): Julio Benitez, Nick Besler, Scott Caldwell, Maikel Chang, Damir Kreilach, Pablo Ruiz, Jude Wellings
Forwards (6): Bode Davis, Chris Garcia, Jonathan Menendez, Justin Meram, Rubio Rubin, Bobby Wood
Real Salt Lake finished the 2021 season in dramatic fashion, booking its place in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs on Decision Day before making a run to the Western Conference Final following a 14-14-6 regular season record. RSL will open the 2022 season on the road against Houston Dynamo FC on February 27 before returning to Rio Tinto Stadium for the home opener against Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, March 7.
TRANSACTION: Real Salt Lake re-sign defender Tate Schmitt on January 19, 2022.
