Real Salt Lake lost 2-0 on the road to Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference semi-finals on Wednesday night, bringing to an end their season and Nick Rimando’s career. So what’s next for the Claret & Cobalt? In the coming months, the club would ideally secure a general manager, head coach, and find a replacement for the all-time league leader in saves, shots faced, shutouts, and games played in Rimando, as well as find a head coach for the Real Monarchs and RSL Academy team.
While the search for a GM, coaches, and players continue, Real Salt Lake must plan for the upcoming MLS Expansion Draft for Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC. The draft will take place on Tuesday, November 19 with lists of eligible players being released on Friday, November 14. Each participating team can protect twelve players from their senior, supplemental, and reserve roster from the draft and only one unprotected player can be taken from each team.
RSL Expansion Draft History:
2016: Minnesota United – goalkeeper Jeff Attinella
2014: NYCFC – midfielder Ned Grabavoy and defender Chris Wingert
2011: Montreal Impact – defender Collen Warner
2010: Portland Timbers – defender David Horst and forward Robbie Findley
2008: Seattle Sounders – midfielder Nathan Sturgis
2006: Toronto FC – forward Jason Kreis
With the now-shortened MLS Playoff schedule, the off-season is much longer this year with just over three months until training camp and about four and half months before league play begins again in March.
The Western Conference final between LAFC and Seattle Sounders will take place on Tuesday, October 29, the Eastern Conference final between Atlanta United and Toronto FC will take place on Thursday, October 31, and the MLS Cup Final on November 10.
