Jordan Allen, right back, winger, forward, Real Salt Lake, 2014-current. One of the most talented young players Real Salt Lake has seen, expect Allen to earn minutes closing out games, giving him a chance to showcase his diverse set of attacking and defensive qualities.
Jeff Attinella, goalkeeper, Real Salt Lake, 2013-current. Playing second fiddle to Nick Rimando is a tough task, but Attinella has handled it with aplomb. Expect Attinella to continue improving communication to complement his already strong shot-stopping abilities.
Kyle Beckerman, defensive midfielder, Real Salt Lake, 2007-current. What's to expect from Real Salt Lake's captain? With a three-man midfield, expect Beckerman to drop into more defensive roles with adjusted positioning and a revised role from the midfield diamond he helped define.
Tony Beltran, right back, Real Salt Lake, 2008-current. One of the best right backs in the league, Beltran's goal for 2015 should be to firmly grasp that veteran mentality and lead the team.
Lalo Fernandez, goalkeeper, Real Salt Lake, 2012-current. Third-string goalkeepers rarely get to play, but with Real Monarchs entering the picture, Fernandez will get his first opportunity to play week in and week out. Expect him to show why he's been kept in Salt Lake City for three years.
Olmes Garcia, forward, Real Salt Lake, 2013-current. More goals and consistent minutes could see Garcia take on a prominent role in RSL's 2015 campaign, but he'll want to show the boss he's reliable in team defense, too.
Luis Gil, midfielder, Real Salt Lake, 2010-current. The attacking midfielder is always on the verge of making it to the big-time, and Gil's 2015 should be a huge step forward in his career. He's taking on more prominent midfield roles, and he'll need to push himself to stay consistent.
Justen Glad, full back, center back, defensive midfielder, Real Salt Lake, 2014-current. Expect Glad to spend plenty of time with Real Monarchs as he looks to get his professional career off the mark.
Sebastian Jaime, forward, Real Salt Lake, 2014-current. After joining midseason with high expectations thrust on him at a difficult time in Real Salt Lake's season, Jaime has an opportunity to impress beyond most expectations. Expect him to take it.
Phanuel Kavita, center back, Clemson University, 2011–2014. Kavita, a Highland High School graduate, will want to impress in the few first-team minutes he's handed this season. Expect him to play more time with Real Monarchs than with Real Salt Lake.
Abdoulie Mansally, left back, Real Salt Lake, 2012-current. Always a high-flying, risk-taking left back, Mansally will continue that approach in a tactical setup that supports it more than it ever did before. Expect him to get on the scoresheet once or twice as he bombs into the attack.
Aaron Maund, center back, Real Salt Lake, 2013-current. After gaining a reputation for recklessness in defense, expect Maund to fight to make 2014 nothing but a memory. He'll probably spend plenty of minutes with Real Monarchs.
Javier Morales, attacking midfielder, Real Salt Lake, joined in 2007. The aging playmaker doesn't have too many years left as a player, but expect him to continue impressing as one of Real Salt Lake's most important figures.
Luke Mulholland, midfielder, Real Salt Lake, 2014-current. Few players have taken to Real Salt Lake's system and play like Mulholland, but expect him to be battling for minutes with Luis Gil to start the year. Where he ends up is a combination of luck, performance and opportunity.
Boyd Okwuonu, right back, center back, University of North Carolina, 2011-2014. A multipositional backup is always a valuable asset, even when they're just getting started in the league. Expect Okwuonu to pick up minutes when RSL is scrapping for a win.
Jamison Olave, center back, New York Red Bulls, 2013-2014. In his second stint with Real Salt Lake, expect an Olave somewhat different than the one who left. His play is a bit more methodical than his first years of red-card-earning defensive work.
Wellington “Pecka” Paeckart, defensive midfielder, Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL), 2011-2014. One of a handful of new arrivals, Pecka is destined to play backup to Kyle Beckerman in one of the most demanding roles on the team, defensive midfield.
Demar Phillips, left back, Aalesund FC (Norway), 2009-2014. An incredible attacking defender, Phillips should impress with his pace and ability, but two questions remain about him after joining Real Salt Lake: Can he stay fit, and what happens to the defensive space when he bursts forward?
Joao Plata, forward, Real Salt Lake, 2013-current. After suffering a foot injury to start the preseason that'll set him back until April or May, expect Plata to come back ready and raring to go. His 2014 saw him become of the more important players on the team, and he looks set to continue that into 2015 — eventually.
Nick Rimando, goalkeeper, Real Salt Lake, 2007-current. Everything that can be said about Nick Rimando has been. Expect his quality ’keeping to continue for another year.
Álvaro Saborío, forward, Real Salt Lake, 2010-current. A tough 2014 campaign, which saw him miss the World Cup through injury, should see him itching to go, and there was some of that in the preseason win over Colorado Rapids, when he got sent off. Watch him carefully, because opponents are going to try to capitalize on any temper he shows.
Devon Sandoval, forward, Real Salt Lake, 2013-current. A difficult sophomore campaign might see Sandoval in one of two places: Real Monarchs, where he can get consistent playing time, or right back in the thick of the first team, where, after his preseason campaign, he looks closer to it than he ever has.
Chris Schuler, center back, Real Salt Lake, 2010-current. The lanky defender will hope to grow into an increasingly veteran role with the team and fill the gap in experience left behind by one Nat Borchers.
John Stertzer, midfielder, Real Salt Lake, 2013-current. Perhaps Real Salt Lake's most unlucky player, Stertzer will spend some time out with a broken toe after kicking a player's foot accidentally. When he gets back, expect him to do everything he can to show that he's worth playing.
Elias Vasquez, center back, Dorados (Mexico), 2014-2015. One of the more exciting young players to join Major League Soccer in 2015, Vasquez will impress you from the first time he touches the ball, with his calmness and technicality particular qualities to look for.
Adolfo "Fito" Ovalle, midfielder, RSL-Arizona Academy, 2012-14. Ovalle is the latest addition to the RSL roster, signing a homegrown player contract with the team on Friday, one day before the MLS opener. Ovalle, who is 17 years old, was raised in Layton and played in 54 games with the U-16s in the Arizona academy.
Matt Montgomery is the managing editor of RSL Soapbox. Contact him at montgomery.matt@gmail.com.