Ever since the final whistle blew on Real Salt Lake’s playoff run in a defeat to Sporting Kansas City on November 11, RSL Head Coach Mike Petke has been eyeing the start of the 2019 season. In those 72 days, he spent some time away with family, worked closely with his assistant coaches and took U.S. Soccer coaching courses.
On Monday, the long wait was over and RSL returned to the indoor facility at Zions Bank Real Academy for the start of training camp and while few soccer balls were kicked – the team underwent stringent fitness testing – the feeling of urgency to get back to action was eminent throughout the day.