Here's a look at Real Salt Lake's current roster after exercising 6 options, exiting a dozen
The club retains the rights to 29 players from the 2024 roster, including 10 homegrowns and six that had options exercised following a historic 2024 season.
Changes are coming to Real Salt Lake.
The club announced more than two dozen roster decisions Wednesday as RSL shifts into the offseason following a year that ended with franchise records in points (59) and goals (65) en route to a third-place finish in MLS’s Western Conference.
Among the announcements made public were six players who had their options picked up in rising goalkeeper Gavin Beavers, newly acquired versatile defender Javain Brown, midfielder Noel Caliskan, defenders Philip Quinton and Tommy Silva, and super-sub forward Anderson Julio.
Also in the bevy of returning players are defender Bode Hidalgo and midfielder Emeka Eneli, who inked long-term extensions with the club during the 2024 season.
That meant the releasing of 12 players who were either out of contract or had a club option declined ahead of the 2025 season, when RSL will return to continental play for the first time since the 2025-16 CONCACAF Champions League with the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Here’s a look at the club following Wednesday’s moves.
Out of contract
MF Maikel Chang
GK Tomas Gomez
DF Bryan Oviedo (waived in August)
DF Marcelo Silva
Options declined
FW Bertin Jacquesson
FW Benji Michel
FW Ilijah Paul
DF Delentz Pierre
FW Rubio Rubin
DF Kevin Bonilla
DF Erik Holt
DF Jaziel Orozco
Options exercised
GK Gavin Beavers
DF Javain Brown
MF Noel Caliskan
FW Anderson Julio
DF Philip Quinton
DF Tommy Silva
The leaves the following roster standing at 28 players as of Wednesday afternoon, including two goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 10 midfielder and six forwards that include club-record goal scorer Chicho Arango.
Goalkeepers: Gavin Beavers, Zac MacMath
Defenders: Andrew Brody, Javain Brown, Justen Glad, Bode Hidalgo, Alex Katranis, Kevon Lambert, Philip Quinton, Luis Rivera, Tommy Silva, Brayan Vera
Midfielders: Noel Caliskan, Matt Crooks, Emeka Eneli, Diogo Gonçalves, Diego Luna, Luca Moisa, Braian Ojeda, Nelson Palacio, Pablo Ruiz, Jude Wellings
Forwards: Chicho Arango, Matthew Bell, Lachlan Brook, Anderson Julio, Axel Kei, Dominik Marczuk
The club is also in ongoing discussions with homegrown defender Zach Farnsworth about a new deal that could see the versatile center back returning from injury sign a developmental contract with the club or its MLS NEXT Pro affiliate Real Monarchs.
Bonilla, Holt and Orozco officially had their options declined for the moment. But club officials tell Salt City FC that the trio remain in collaboration with the club, and could potentially return under a Monarchs contract or similar deal among the RSL roster.
Real Salt Lake opens the preseason Jan. 11, with the first leg of the yet-to-be-determined Champions Cup opener scheduled for Feb. 18-20.
MLS regular season play kicks off on the 2025 season on Saturday, Feb. 22.