Nine things about Real Salt Lake we're grateful for this Thanksgiving

Matt says:

I'm grateful that we've won a trophy once already, and that we've been even better since winning in 2009. It takes the sting out of some losses to know that we've only improved.

I'm grateful that Real Monarchs will be coming into play next year, and that we'll have more soccer to watch every week for 75 percent of the year. More than just a great resource for player development, it should be something we can get behind as a community.

I'm grateful for the stability Real Salt Lake has shown in the last seven years. Although it makes our squad a little older than some others, having players who understand the importance of Real Salt Lake to the community - and who helped develop it - has made an incredible difference.

Randal says:

I'm grateful that we have two of the best players to have ever played in MLS in Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando. They will be remembered by and large for their time in Salt Lake City and they have forever changed the culture of the club.

I'm grateful that Real Salt Lake is by and large investing its money in the academy pipeline system. Being a small market club, I could not agree more that the way to be competitive is to pour a bunch of resources into player development just like some of the best clubs in the world do. This will pay dividends in the long run.

I'm grateful that Real Salt Lake is now consistently selling out games. I'm excited about this for two reasons. Selling out games means that the community is invested in the club. This is a huge deal considering how much opposition there was when Dave Checketts wanted to bring a franchise to Utah. Second, it means that RSL is getting more revenue which in turn will put the team ahead of other small market teams.

Weston says:

I'm grateful that Real Salt Lake has been able to keep the longest consecutive playoff appearance record in the league. Being able to keep above that thin red line is no easy task, especially in a evermore competitive Western Conference.

I'm grateful that Real Salt Lake has a first year head coach in Jeff Cassar that has been able to reach the playoffs in his first year as a head coach. Becoming a head coach of a team is often followed by a extreme turnover of both players and staff. Unlike other first year coaches though, Cassar came into the club that is steady and not static and has been able to keep RSL a dominate force in the West.

I'm grateful that all of Real Salt Lake's players can contribute. Other teams in the league rely on big names and shiny stars to earn them points, while RSL has both young and relatively unknown players that put up the points that lead to their success.

Anything you're grateful for today? We'd love to hear it, whether it's about Real Salt Lake, soccer in general, or any other walk of life.