I can't remember a time in the last 5 years where so many question marks remained on the RSL roster just over a week before the MLS season kicks off. Between replacing the 9 players lost in the off-season, the injuries to current players, normal salary cap concerns, you can add the missing 2 international slots as major factors in the roster that Real Salt Lake will head into the 2012 season with.

You also have to remember that after today's rosters are submitted to Major League Soccer HQ for compliance with both the roster rules and salary cap, that tomorrow (Friday, March 2nd 2012) will be the MLS waiver draft. RSL fans should remember that it was the 2009 Waiver draft that brought Ned Grabavoy to RSL, I think that has turned out rather well.

I think the one thing that is clear from this off-season for RSL it has been about getting younger while trying to keep within the salary cap and to keep the team able to compete. That is no easy task, but given the quality and quantity of players who RSL is having to replace, I think they have done a great job. There are some exciting young players that I think the RSL nation will welcome into the family and I think will be difference makers this year as well as into the future.

Here is the official RSL press release:

REAL SALT LAKE FINALIZES 2012 ROSTER WITH EIGHT NEW SIGNINGS

New Crop of Claret-and-Cobalt Brings RSL's Complement of Players to 26 on Compliance Date

SANDY, Utah (Thursday, March 1, 2012) - Real Salt Lake today announced the signing of eight players to new contracts, finalizing the Utah side's 26-man roster on today's official date for MLS teams to reach salary budget compliance.

Click here to download a PDF version of the official 2012 Real Salt Lake roster

Today's batch of signings includes one Homegrown Player, four 2012 draftees and three trialists (please click hyperlinks to see player's full bio information on RealSaltLake.com):

• FW Emiliano Bonfigli [MLS Supplemental Draft (17^th overall pick); last played for Manta FC (Ecuadoran 1^st Division)]
• DF Leone Cruz (acquired rights via trade with Seattle Sounders FC; last played for Southern Methodist Univ.)
• DF Diogo de Almeida [MLS SuperDraft (24^th overall pick), Southern Methodist Univ.]
• GK Lalo Fernandez [Homegrown Player, RSL-Arizona Academy]
• MF Enzo Martinez [MLS SuperDraft (17^th overall pick), University of North Carolina]
• MF Jonny Steele [free transfer, Carolina Railhawks (NASL)]
• DF Terukazu Tanaka [free transfer, Sagan Tosu (Japanese 2^nd Division)]
• MF Sebastian Velasquez [MLS SuperDraft (36^th overall pick), Spartanburg Methodist College]

The rest of the press release and a look at the full roster after the jump

While RSL is keeping a core of 10 players that have been regulars in its starting lineup for the last five seasons - an MLS record - the new crop of Claret-and-Cobalt marks the largest influx of new blood since the roster overhauls of 2007 & 2008 that followed the installments of Head Coach Jason Kreis and General Manager Garth Lagerwey.

"As an organization, we couldn't be more pleased to officially welcome these players into our side, as we believe they represent all the characteristics the RSL shield stands for," said Lagerwey. "The caliber of the players that were fighting for roster spots during our preseason made for some difficult choices, but those are exactly the types of decisions you want to make when you're filling out a squad. This team will represent our fans proudly both on and off the field and should allow us to seriously contend for trophies on multiple fronts once again this year."

Today marked the deadline for all Major League Soccer clubs to be roster compliant. While a club may continue to add or release players from its roster or training camp, the club's official roster - players under contract - must remain within the MLS roster guidelines. Players waived today will be a part of tomorrow's Waiver Draft at 1:00 p.m. MT. Clubs that select a player who is not currently under contract during the Waiver Draft will be required to offer that player a contract. Clubs may not claim the right of first refusal for a player through waivers.

So the 2012 season will start with just 26 players on the RSL roster, but I have to believe that before the April 16th Primary Registration Window closing that you may see a move or two being made. One huge question remains for me, as the team roster shows 9 International slots, clearly some updates are coming.

What do you think RSL nation? I hit this one right on the head yesterday.

OFF MY SOAPBOX