Real Salt Lake exercises contract options on 8, declines 6 for 2026
Real Salt Lake exercised the options for eight players and declined six (with three more being out of contract), meaning the club will bring back at least 28 players for 2026.
The end of the season arrived for Real Salt Lake after a fifth-straight playoff appearance — and fourth-straight first-round (or earlier) exit — with contracts to be renewed, declined or guaranteed through at least 2026.
The club announced Thursday following approval from Major League Soccer that six player contract options have been declined, joining three who were out of contract; eight options have been exercised; and 28 players had their rights retained by the organization, including eight recent homegrown signings.
RSL previously inked long-term contract extensions with goalkeeper Rafael Cabral and former U.S. men’s national team outside back DeAndre Yedlin, who both committed to the team through at least 2027 (with a club option for 2028).
Here’s a look at the current roster outlook, after the league’s most recent approval:
Out of Contract: FW William Agada, DF Zack Farnsworth, GK Zac MacMath
Options Declined: FW Forster Ajago, MF Matthew Bell, DF Kevon Lambert, FW Johnny Russell, DF Tommy Silva, MF Jude Wellings
Options Exercised: FW Jesus Barea, D/M Noel Caliskan, DF Alex Katranis, MF Braian Ojeda, DF Philip Quinton, GK Mason Stajduhar, DF Brayan Vera, FW Marcos Zambrano
Guaranteed for 2026: MF Owen Anderson, GK Rafael Cabral, FW Rwan Cruz, MF Emeka Eneli, DF Justen Glad, MF Diogo Gonçalves, FW Zavier Gozo, FW Aiden Hezarkhani, GK Max Kerkvliet, MF Diego Luna, FW Dominik Marczuk, MF Omar Marquez, MF Luca Moisa, FW Victor Olatunji, MF, Nelson Palacio, FW Ariath Piol, DF Luis Rivera, MF Pablo Ruiz, MF Juan Gio Villa, M/F Tyler Wolff
Henry made just three MLS appearances in an RSL kit, totaling 39 minutes since arriving from French side Reims for the 2025 season.
There’s also defender Sam Junqua, the former MLS Texas journeyman who made 32 appearances including 17 starts since being arriving via trade for Anderson Julio for the 2025 campaign.
“Off the field, me and my fiancée have enjoyed Salt Lake City, the nature and the change of scenery has been nice,” said Junqua, who could be a free agent after this year. “We’ve been speaking with the club a little bit, and that’s to be continued.”
Barea’s option was extended after the former 2025 MLS SuperDraft pick led the third-division Real Monarchs with 14 goals in 19 games, helping the club to its first MLS NEXT Pro Playoff appearance since the reserve league was founded four years ago.
“I’m very proud of this year,” he said. “But we have to build now for next year.
“Nobody wants to play in the Monarchs if you have a first-team contract,” he added candidly. “Going there was a challenge to me — a challenge to prove that I can be on the first team, and I didn’t take nothing for granted. I went there, I performed as I should be doing, and I got minutes in the last game with the first team, so I think that shows my year with the Monarchs.”
Agada joins former RSL starting goalkeeper MacMath, who missed the entire 2025 season following shoulder surgery, and Farnsworth, the Utah native from Cedar Hills who made 34 appearances with Real Monarchs while battling several injuries since his debut in 2021, on the out-of-contract list.
“Shout out to all our fans; they’ve been here for us,” Agada said during end-of-season exit interviews. “We love them so much. Thank you for all the support, and we saw you guys in every movement we made, every tackle, every goal.
“I can’t thank you guys any more.”
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