Real Salt Lake Begins Voluntary Workouts A Week From Official Preseason Start Date

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake conducted their first voluntary workout today a week before the official start to the 2021 pre-season.

Every player but those who are away on international duty were on offer for Manager Freddy Juarez and his staff to push through their paces.

Goalkeeper David Ochoa, defenders Aaron Herrera and Justen Glad, and forward Douglas Martinez are all away preparing for the upcoming Olympic Qualifying tournament in Mexico.

However, all other first-team players, Monarchs and MLS draftees were present at the session.

The official start to the pre-season begins on Monday, March 8th. However, Major League Soccer allowed clubs to begin a week early if players and coaches underwent COVID-19 testing protocol and precaution prior to the voluntary workouts.

Your preseason views could never pic.twitter.com/HmierdnfZF

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 1, 2021

Players who arrived in Utah from out of state were required to quarantine for seven days prior to today’s session. While the players who were already in the market were not obligated to quarantine as they had already undergone the required testing and protocol.

RSL’s Comeback Season Incoming

RSL is looking to rebound from a very disappointing 2020 season that saw them finish as the second-worst Western Conference team. They missed the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.

Juarez was in his first season as the Manager of the club and was faced with multiple disruptions due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 2021 season will hopefully prove fruitful for RSL despite the ongoing challenges surrounding the ownership dilemma.

The Front Office, led by General Manager Elliot Fall, has brought in new players during the off-season in an effort to bolster the squad. Forward Rubio Rubin headlines the players that were brought in during the winter months.

United States international Bobby Wood is also expected to join RSL shortly. His arrival, however, remains unclear as he is currently under contract with German club Hamburger SV.