Real Salt Lake Striving For Perfect Combination Of Age & Youth In 2022

SALT LAKE CITY – Every soccer club, including Real Salt Lake, has a very similar ambition. Silverware.

Firstly, winning is of the utmost importance. When a club can consistently win trophies, the fanbase organically grows, tickets are sold at a higher rate, and the media places a higher emphasis on covering the team.

However, the manner in which a club strives to win silverware is also incredibly important to the character of an organization.

For Real Salt Lake, they are trying to find the perfect combination of youth and experience. They want to merge the youth that is being developed from an Academy level with the experience of players that has spent time in Europe.

“We have all been through the same process as them,” veteran winger Justin Meram told KSL Sports. “For us it is just to make sure that their mind is focused, that they do not get too down or frustrated and that they just work hard because if you work hard and you’re respectful and a good person within the group then you are going to succeed.

The "Homegrown Factory" of Major League Soccer, @realsaltlake believes in their youth.

Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni and Justin Meram share their philosophy and thoughts behind developing the future ahead of a 2022 MLS season.#RSL #DaleReal @kslsports @rslshow pic.twitter.com/KHfYbLpnd0

— Andy Muñoz (@andymunoz48) January 31, 2022

Earlier this year prior to the trip to Tucson, Arizona, the club announced five new Homegrown signings. Over its 18 year existence, Real Salt Lake has signed 32 Homegrown players, tying FC Dallas for the most in the league.

Signing Homegrown players is a sign that the Academy is producing. It also provides financial optimism for the future.

However, finding the correct balance between youthful legs and old bones is no easy task. Younger players are full of energy but are still developing both their mind and their body whereas older players have the luxury of experience on their side but may be starting to show ailments of age and slowing down physically.

Managers around the world are always trying to find the correct balance for their roster.

Fortunately, Real Salt Lake manager Pablo Mastroeni has a strong group of veterans on his side. Captain Damir Kreilach, Marcelo Silva, Justin Meram, Justen Glad, Everton Luiz, Aaron Herrera, among others have all played significant minutes for the club over recent years and will all play roles in developing and shaping the team dynamic.

“The important thing for me this year was to make sure that we had a good group of senior players that younger players can really lean upon,” Mastroeni told KSL Sports in an exclusive interview.

Ultimately, the balance will forever be a worry for Mastroeni. But that will not stop him from forever tinkering, adapting, and searching for the perfect balance between youth and experience.