Real Salt Lake accomplished plenty in 2010

SANDY — Real Salt Lake knows as well as anyone that the MLS playoffs are unpredictable.

In 2008 and 2009, RSL qualified for the playoffs on the final day of the regular season, yet advanced to the conference final both years and won the MLS Cup in 2009.

This year, RSL qualified for the playoffs weeks before the end of the regular season but couldn't get out of the first round.

"Sometimes the playoffs are a crapshoot and it wasn't our time this year," said RSL captain Kyle Beckerman.

Real Salt Lake's accomplishments during the regular season, however, were really quite staggering.

RSL finished with the second-best record in MLS and was in the hunt for the Supporter's Shield until the final weekend of the season. It set or tied six single-season league records, including fewest goals allowed, and also set or tied 14 team records. It also set a new league record with a 25-game regular-season home unbeaten streak — which is still in progress.

Jamison Olave was named the MLS Defender of the Year and Alvaro Saborio was named the MLS Newcomer of the Year.

Real Salt Lake won its group in the CONCACAF Champions League, advancing to the quarterfinals next February, when it will take on fellow MLS squad Columbus.

"When you look at the season, it was an excellent season. We had a lot of fun; we didn't lose many games," said Beckerman.

Nonetheless, he and all of his teammates are heading into the offseason with a bitter taste in their mouths.

"Yeah, we did do some fantastic things this year, but (winning another) MLS Cup was on the front burner for a lot of us," said defender Nat Borchers.

"We all know what we've accomplished, and we're all proud of that, but right now what sticks out in our mind is our last loss, and that's Dallas," said Nick Rimando.

For some, the sting of bowing out in the first round will last a long time. Robbie Russell said he still talks about Real Salt Lake's loss to New York in the conference final in 2008.

The big question this offseason is which players will be back as RSL continues its quest to win the 2010-2011 Champions League, while also trying to dethrone Los Angeles as the Supporter's Shield winner.

Robbie Findley's contract with MLS expires, and he's expressed interest in exploring his options overseas. Saborio's loan from his Swiss club is also up, and renegotiating a new loan or buyout won't be cheap. Re-signing the duo or finding replacements will be the No. 1 objective this offseason.