RSL Midfielder Noel Caliskan Voted Most Valuable Player by His Peers;
Juan Manuel Sanabria Named Defensive Player of the Year;
Spanish-born Rookie Sergi Solans Captures 2026 Golden Boot;
GK Mason Stajduhar Earning Humanitarian Recognition
HERRIMAN, Utah (Thursday, November 12, 2026) – While awaiting next week’s kickoff to the 2026 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and its trip to Seattle, Real Salt Lake’s locker room today unveiled its 2026 Team Award Winners, following the 39-game campaign across various competitions to this point that saw RSL finishing ninth overall in the Western Conference, qualifying for its sixth consecutive postseason and also advancing to the 2027 Leagues Cup tournament.
A mix of statistical, community service-oriented and peer-selected honors, RSL’s 2026 Team Awards recognize four different players – third-year midfielder Noel Caliskan (Most Valuable Player), first-year standout Juan Manuel Sanabria (Defensive Player of the Year), Spanish rookie Sergi Solans (Golden Boot) and second-year goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar (Humanitarian of the Year) – for their contributions to Real Salt Lake’s 22nd season, on and off the pitch.
Due to the “Decision Day” Wild Card qualification with a dramatic 2-1 over the LA Galaxy, the Claret-and-Cobalt have earned one of 18 MLS berths in the 2027 Leagues Cup, while participation in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is anticipated as well after perennial contender RSL earned its 16th postseason appearance in the last 19 years, as well as RSL’s eighth MLS Cup Playoff berth in the last nine seasons.
FIELD PLAYER “IRON MAN” CALISKAN NAMED 2026 RSL MVP
RSL’s field-player “Iron Man” MF Noel Caliskan – who has led the team in minutes played by a non-Goalkeeper the last two seasons – was selected by his peers as RSL’s 2026 Most Valuable Player.
A starter in 57 of the last 62 Real Salt Lake matches played dating back to last year, the two-way metronome scored his first goal of 2026 back on Sept. 5 v LAFC, providing the late equalizer in the 2-2 home draw. The German-born, two-way midfielder was drafted by Portland in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft out of Loyola Marymount University, and signed to Real Monarchs deal in early 2024. Since his arrival at the Club, Caliskan has seen action for both RSL and Monarchs across numerous competitions, with Decision Day marking his 98th appearance for the teams, and his 72nd with RSL.
SURPRISING SOLANS EARNS 2026 RSL GOLDEN BOOT
After shattering the Club’s all-time rookie scoring record, Spanish-born former NCAA player Sergi Solans won RSL’s 2026 Golden Boot award, scoring 15 goals in MLS regular-season action, and 19 across all competitions.
While his 15 goals included seven game-winners, clinching more than half of RSL’s 2026 wins, Solans’ 19 goals in MLS, Leagues Cup and the Burnley exhibition matched Alvaro Saborio’s 2012 Club record. Drafted out of Oregon State in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, and playing last year at UCLA before reporting to RSL’s preseason in Portugal in January, the former Girona youth product quickly made his mark in MLS, scoring in his first start on March 7 at Atlanta, RSL’s lone road win until late September. With five goals in his first five starts, Solans served notice that he could be looking at a special year. With three two-goal “braces” in his rookie season and a trio of game-winning assists amongst his four overall, Solans served as the fulcrum of the RSL attack throughout the season. Earning a new contract extension in late August, Solans scored six goals in the final eight games, leading RSL to five wins and a draw as it surged back into postseason contention.
SANABRIA STANDS OUT WITH DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Perhaps RSL’s most consistent player this season, Uruguayan World Cup standout D/M Juan Manuel Sanabria, the usual left-sided wide player, was voted by his peers as RSL’s 2026 Defensive Player of the Year. Purchased in early February from Liga MX side Atlético San Luis, where he served as the Club’s captain during last year, Sanabria now has earned 93 caps across Uruguay’s youth and senior national teams, scoring last window against India. Bringing pace, intelligence and deadly set-piece delivery to RSL, Sanabria is the most-expensive non-DP acquisition in RSL’s 22-year history.
The May 2 RSL win marked Sanabria’s first multi-assist match in his RSL career, with two against Portland in the 2-0 win. Back in July 25 at Portland, Sanabria scored his first MLS goal, giving RSL the early lead prior to the Guilavogui ejection, following that up with a goal on October 31 at San Jose.
STAJDUHAR NAMED COMMUNITY MVP
As previously announced, second-year RSL goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar was named the Club’s Jordan Guernsey Humanitarian of the Year for his wide-ranging and extensive work in the community this season, supporting current and former pediatric cancer patients across the country.
At the end of 2025, the RSL ‘keeper and his wife Tatiana launched StajduHeart, a nonprofit organization which aims to both emotionally and financially aid those affected by pediatric cancer. What began as a deeply personal calling has quickly grown into something tangible: game-day experiences, hospital visits, goalkeeper clinic and a soon-to-be mentorship program and website designed to connect families navigating similar battles.
For Mason, the mission is rooted in lived experience. At just 19 years old, early in his MLS career, Stajduhar was diagnosed with bone cancer. The next eight months were filled with chemotherapy treatments, followed by six weeks of radiation. At a time when most young professionals are building momentum, Mason was forced to step away from the game he loved. He was declared in remission at 20, but the experiences reshaped far more than just a season of his career.
On their social media, Tatiana and Mason have posted interview clips from conversations that they’ve hosted together, reflecting on that season of life. Mason describes the toll of being sidelined, physically and mentally, as he was unable to train and do what he loved so early in his MLS career. He attributes the idea for the nonprofit to Tatiana and her “big heart,” along with the experience he had battling cancer.
“Our goal this year was to bring pediatric cancer patients, current and former and their families, out to RSL games, at home and away,” Stajduhar explained. “Just (to) forget about treatment or celebrate the success of finishing their treatment and have a fun time together as a family.”
“[The goal is] to build relationships, honestly,” Tatiana added. “We're planning for 10 families each year. And then anything that pops up too – if we have the financial means to help – we would love to.”
Throughout 2026, the Stajduhars have hosted patients and families across MLS markets, partnered with several RSL teammates to raise enough funds to provide a family with a vertical platform lift (VPL) and Hoyer lift to be installed in their home, making it easier and safer to navigate the stairs. For families balancing medical needs and financial strain, that kind of support can be life-changing.
As Mason continues to defend between the pipes for the Claret and Cobalt, he and Tatiana are building something just as powerful off the field – a network of encouragement, relief and belonging for families who understand the weight of diagnosis. StajduHeart is still in the early chapters, but its heartbeat is clear: to show up, build relationships and remind families that they are not alone. Fans who would like to support the mission can find the donation link here.
In 2015, the club announced that the Humanitarian of the Year Award would be named in honor of one of Real Salt Lake’s biggest fans, the late Jordan Guernsey, whose passion for work in the community embodied the spirit of the award. Each player who receives the award is presented the award by Guernsey’s wife, Paola, and their children, Izzy and Kyle, along with the RSL Community Relations group, and RSL/URFC President John Kimball.
ALL-TIME RSL SEASON-ENDING AWARD HONOREES
RSL Most Valuable Player: Noel Caliskan (2026), Rafael Cabral (2025), Emeka Eneli (2024), Pablo Ruiz (2023), Justen Glad (2022), Damir Kreilach (2021), Damir Kreilach (2020), Everton Luiz (2019), Damir Kreilach (2018), Albert Rusnák (2017), Kyle Beckerman (2016), Javier Morales (2015), Joao Plata (2014), Kyle Beckerman (2013), Kyle Beckerman (2012), Kyle Beckerman (2011), Javier Morales (2010), Nat Borchers (2009), Javier Morales (2008), Nick Rimando (2007), Jeff Cunningham (2006), Andy Williams (2005)
RSL Golden Boot Award: Sergi Solans (2026), Diego Luna (2025), Chicho Arango (2024), Jefferson Savarino (2023), Sergio Cordova (2022), Damir Kreilach (2021), Damir Kreilach (2020), Albert Rusnák (2019), Damir Kreilach (2018), Albert Rusnák (2017), Joao Plata (2016), Javier Morales (2015), Joao Plata (2014), Álvaro Saborío (2013), Álvaro Saborío (2012), Álvaro Saborío (2011), Álvaro Saborío (2010), Robbie Findley (2009), Yura Movsisyan (2008), Robbie Findley (2007), Jeff Cunningham (2006), Jason Kreis (2005)
RSL Defensive Player of the Year: Juan Manuel Sanabria (2026), Rafael Cabral (2025), Justen Glad (2024), Brayan Vera (2023), Andrew Brody (2022), Aaron Herrera (2021), Aaron Herrera (2020), Aaron Herrera (2019), Brooks Lennon (2018), Justen Glad (2017), Justen Glad (2016), Aaron Maund (2015), Chris Schuler (2014), Nick Rimando (2013), Nick Rimando (2012), Nat Borchers (2011), Nat Borchers (2010), Jamison Olave (2009), Nat Borchers (2008), Eddie Pope (2007), Carey Talley (2006), Eddie Pope (2005)
Jordan Guernsey Humanitarian of the Year: Mason Stajduhar (2026), Diego Luna (2025), Matt Crooks (2024), Zac MacMath (2023), Damir Kreilach (2022), Zac MacMath (2021), Kyle Beckerman (2020), Kyle Beckerman (2019), Kyle Beckerman (2018), Justin Schmidt (2017), Jordan Allen and Justen Glad (2016), Abdoulie Mansally (2015), Abdoulie Mansally (2014), Chris Wingert (2013), Will Johnson (2012), Jean Alexandre (2011), Jean Alexandre (2010), Robbie Russell (2009), Nat Borchers (2008), Carey Talley (2007), Seth Trembly (2006), Brian Kamler (2005)
