Solans Secures Future Amid Roster Shifts
Real Salt Lake has signed leading scorer Sergi Solans to a contract extension through the 2029-2030 season, securing the young striker following the departure of All-Star midfielder Zavier Gozo to Crystal Palace of the English Premier League. The roster move comes as the club prepares for the Leagues Cup 2026, a tournament featuring a high-profile field of global stars and FIFA World Cup players.
Rising Star Secures Long-Term Deal
The extension for Solans, who was selected by Real Salt Lake in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, follows a season where the Spanish striker established himself as a primary attacking force. In his debut season, Solans has maintained a high scoring rate, including a seventh goal of the 2026 regular season during a 1-1 draw against St. Louis City SC on Aug. 1, 2026. That goal, assisted by Saba Lonjanidze, helped Solans secure sole ownership of the club's 2026 Golden Boot race.
Solans' long-term commitment provides stability for the squad as it navigates a busy summer schedule. The striker's rise has been marked by consistent performance, including a notable goal against St. Louis City SC where he took a touch around a defender before finding the net. His ability to perform under pressure has been a key factor in the club's recent efforts to remain competitive in both MLS and regional competitions.
Gozo Departs for Premier League
The club's offensive reinforcement arrives as it manages the loss of Zavier Gozo, who was named to the 2026 MLS All-Star First XI earlier this year. Gozo, a 19-year-old homegrown midfielder, was selected for the All-Star Game through a combination of fan, player, and media votes. He recently suffered a hip strain during a match against a Liga MX selection in Charlotte, North Carolina, which ultimately led to his transfer to Crystal Palace.
Gozo's emergence has been a significant part of the club's recent history. Before his transfer, the midfielder had made 25 MLS appearances and scored four goals during the 2025 campaign. He also represented the United States U-20 Men’s National Team at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, where he recorded one goal and one assist.
Leagues Cup Features Global Talent
The Leagues Cup 2026, which began its Phase One matchups in early August, features 36 participating clubs from Major League Soccer and LIGA MX. The tournament is the fourth edition of the competition and is scheduled to include matches played in Mexico for the first time. The top three finishers in the tournament will qualify for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup, with the champion earning a direct berth into the Round of 16.
The 2026 tournament features an exceptionally deep player field. Headlining the roster are global icons including Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF, Robert Lewandowski of Chicago Fire FC, Son Heung-min of LAFC, and Antoine Griezmann of Orlando City SC. Other notable participants include Thomas Müller of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Hugo Lloris of LAFC, and Keylor Navas of Pumas UNAM. The competition is broadcast on Apple TV, with select matches on TelevisaUnivision, FS1, Imagen TV, TSN, and RDS.
Club Finds Momentum in Summer
Real Salt Lake enters the Leagues Cup competition in strong form. Following a 3-0 victory over FC Juárez on Aug. 4, 2026, the club secured seven points in three matches, moving into contention for one of the four MLS quarterfinal spots. Head coach Pablo Mastroeni noted that the team has found success by playing with freedom and focusing on collective performance rather than individual aspects of the game.
In addition to the Leagues Cup, the club has navigated a challenging 2026 schedule. This included a 1-1 stalemate against St. Louis City SC on Aug. 1, which snapped a two-game road losing streak. The team's performance has been bolstered by the development of young players like Sergi Solans and the recent addition of Lineker Rodrigues, who made his first career start for the club during the St. Louis match.
A Landmark Year for Utah Soccer
The 2026 season has been a landmark year for the club, highlighted by the visit of Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF to America First Field in Sandy, Utah, on April 22, 2026. The visit was part of a broader 2026 schedule that saw the club host several international stars, including Son Heung-min on Sept. 5 and Thomas Müller on Sept. 19.
Due to the midseason hiatus for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Real Salt Lake did not host MLS matches between May 16 and August 15. This period allowed the club to focus on regional competitions and prepare for the high-intensity home stretch that defines the summer months.
Looking Toward the Knockout Stage
As the Leagues Cup progresses, Real Salt Lake looks to build on its recent successes to secure a spot in the knockout rounds. The club's ability to integrate young talent like Solans while managing the departures of established stars like Gozo remains a central theme of its 2026 campaign.
