The home-field advantage at Rio Tinto Stadium has long been the stuff of legend. This year, it is No. 6 on the Top 10 stories of 2015.
Real Salt Lake went 12-4-6 at home across all competitions and 7-4-6 in MLS play. There are many factors to that home success, ranging from the club’s talent and fitness to the altitude. But one inarguable influence is the support of the crowds that came out in record numbers in 2015.
On March 29, the club’s first Sunday regular season home match in club history against Toronto FC, fans set a Rio Tinto Stadium record when 20,794 people watched RSL score a 2-1 win on national television.
Four more times RSL surpassed the previous best attendance figure, with 20,801 in attendance for a Memorial Day weekend match against New York City FC; 20,809 for a Pioneer Day clash with the Sporting Kansas City; 20,956 for an Independence Day meeting with Orlando City SC; and an all-time best mark of 21,004 in a September match against the LA Galaxy.
In those five matches, RSL posted a 4-0-1 record, with the lone draw coming against Orlando City. RSL outscored the opposition 9-3 in those five matches.
That level of dominance is no coincidence and Real Salt Lake hopes to maintain that fortress in 2016.
Top 10 RSL Stories of 2015
10. Maund Emerges on Defense
9. The Launch of the Monarchs
8. Waibel Climbs the Ladder
7. Youth is Served at RSL
6. Records at The Riot
5. 11/4
4. 11/5
3. 11/5
2. 11/6
1. 11/6
