Real Salt Lake unveiled its 2026 team award winners in a report published November 12, according to a club statement. The honors recognize four players for their contributions during the 39-game campaign that saw the team finish ninth overall in the Western Conference and qualify for its sixth consecutive postseason.
Midfielder Noel Caliskan was selected by his peers as the 2026 Most Valuable Player. The German-born midfielder, who has led the team in minutes played by a non-goalkeeper for the last two seasons, has made 72 appearances for RSL and 98 appearances for the club's teams overall. His scoring included a late equalizer in a 2-2 home draw against LAFC on Sept. 5.
Uruguayan player Juan Manuel Sanabria was voted by his peers as the Defensive Player of the Year. The most-expensive non-DP acquisition in the club's history, Sanabria has earned 93 caps across Uruguay's youth and senior national teams. His season included scoring goals on July 25 against Portland and Oct. 31 against San Jose.
Spanish-born rookie Sergi Solans captured the 2026 Golden Boot, scoring 19 goals across all competitions, including 15 in MLS regular-season action. His performance matched the 2012 club record held by Alvaro Saborio. Solans, a former Girona youth product, scored six goals in the final eight games of the season to help the team surge into postseason contention.
Goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar earned the Jordan Guernsey Humanitarian of the Year award. Stajduhar and his wife, Tatiana, launched the nonprofit organization StajdeHeart at the end of 2025 to provide emotional and financial aid to families affected by pediatric cancer. The mission is rooted in Stajduhar's personal experience of being diagnosed with bone cancer at age 19.
Real Salt Lake's recent success includes a 2-1 victory over LA Galaxy on Decision Day, which earned the club one of 18 berths in the 2027 Leagues Cup. The team is also anticipated to participate in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. RSL is currently preparing for next week's kickoff to the 2026 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and a trip to Seattle.
