New Real Salt Lake Captain Damir Kreliach issues statement to fans

After experiencing their first loss of the season, Real Salt Lake (3-1-1) will look to bounce back in the first leg of the Rocky Mountain Cup against Colorado (2-1-1) this Saturday. Photo: Real Salt Lake.

SALT LAKE CITY — Just days before the season opener on Feb. 27, new Real Salt Lake (RSL) captain Damir Kreliach issued a statement to the fans on Friday, promising a positive mindset, a dedicated approach, and to compete for their committed followers throughout the upcoming 2022 campaign.

In his fifth year with the club, 2021 MLS All-star, team MVP, and Golden Boot winner Damir Kreilach has been named the organization’s fifth captain, replacing Albert Rusnák, who relocated to Seattle this past offseason.

In the four seasons that Kreliach has been with RSL, he has been a primary source of creativity and offense as he has scored 42 goals and recorded 23 assists in 119 appearances. Notably, Kreilach is coming off his best season with the club with 16 goals and eight assists during 16 appearances in the 2021 campaign.

“Family. Respect. Mentality. Belief. These are the most important qualities for our team and as Real Salt Lake’s Captain. I wanted to tell you that I promise to uphold these values as we work together to achieve our goals. Our sport relies on a team, and I vow to lead our group on the field and the community to the best of my ability. The RSL family is bigger than any one individual, and I will lead in a way that reflects that belief,” Kreilach stated.

To: Our fans
From: Your Captain pic.twitter.com/zdwI7f4OOG

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) February 25, 2022

Real Salt Lake is set to open their 2022 season on the road against Houston on Sunday, Feb. 27, with a kickoff of 5 p.m. MT. The team will then return to Rio Tinto to host their home opener against Seattle on Saturday, March 5, with a 4 p.m. kickoff.