Where we left off last year
2025 season: 41 points, 9th in the Western Conference, 19th in MLS
RSL spent most of last year crashing back down to earth. After a terrific 2024 season that saw them enter the Supporters’ Shield race on the back of effective possession-based soccer, Salt Lake struggled last year without the two attackers that really fueled their reinvention under Pablo Mastroeni: Andres Gomez (transferred to Ligue 1 in the summer of ’24) and Chicho Arango (traded to the San Jose Earthquakes last offseason).
An ownership change last year meant that replacements came slowly — most of the major additions came in the summer, via DeAndre Yedlin and Victor Olatunji. But without a stable of uber-dangerous attackers, RSL’s tactical approach stagnated and they fell to the Portland Timbers in the West’s wildcard game.
What changed in the offseason
Notable arrivals:
- Morgan Guilavogui, FW: RSL’s newest Designated Player, Guilavogui arrived from Lens in Ligue 1 for a reported $5 million fee. The 27-year-old has an impressive profile, having scored six goals and added two assists for St. Pauli in the Bundesliga last season and notched 35 goal contributions across his final two seasons with Paris FC in Ligue 2. Best as a second striker or in the halfspaces, Guilavogui can do a bit of everything in the attack and will bring strong defensive effort.
- Juan Manuel Sanabria, LWB: I think it’s entirely possible that Sanabria goes down as one of the best signings of the entire MLS offseason. The brother of the LA Galaxy’s Lucas Sanabria, the 25-year-old should be a major upgrade at left wingback over Alex Katranis. Sanabria, who broke into the Uruguayan national team late last year, put up numbers for Atletico San Luis in Liga MX and will bring two-way verve to Salt Lake.
