The 2021 MLS regular season is upon us and Real Salt Lake opens this weekend on the road against Minnesota United FC.
So much can happen in an off-season, so it’s time to get up to speed on everything RSL. We start with a look at the forwards on the roster and will take a glance at each of the position groups throughout the week in the buildup to the season-opener on Saturday.
Forwards
Milan Iloski (21) – RSL Homegrown made just one appearance in first season. Looks to gain experience in 2021.
Douglas Martinez (23) – Olympic-bound Honduran scored two goals in his first MLS season after breakout USL campaign, adding a third in the MLS Is Back Tournament.
Rubio Rubin (25) – Former U.S. National Team forward looks to get back with the Stars and Stripes after rekindling early promise with stellar month in USL Championship.
Bobby Wood (28) – Veteran of German leagues and U.S. National Team scheduled to join RSL on July 1.
Wingers
Maikel Chang (30) – Led RSL with six assists in 2020, his first MLS season after starring in USL.
Bode Davis (19) – RSL Academy product looks to break into the rotation in his first MLS season.
Chris Garcia (18) – Injuries kept him off the field in 2020 and he looks to build on impressive preseason.
Anderson Julio (24) – Ecuadorian speedster joins RSL on loan and looks to build on an impressive resume from his time at LDU Quito.
Justin Meram (32) – Veteran had three goals and three assists in 2020 to bring his career totals to 46 goals and 39 assists.
Jeizon Ramirez (20) – Limited to 10 substitute appearances in his first MLS season in 2020 due to injury and fitness.
Freddy Juarez’s take: “Attacking we are very happy. We’ve added depth in guys that we brought along from the Monarchs and young Academy players and internationals that gained some valuable experience last year. Then you sprinkle some experience on top of that with Anderson and Rubio and Bobby Wood and you feel like you have a good amount of different, quality players that you can lean on for those qualities in certain games. I think we have a good core of attackers that we can change up and have variety that is a luxury once we get all of those pieces.”
