During the 2020 MLS regular season, significantly shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, Real Salt Lake struggled on the pitch, finishing 11th in the Western Conference and 21st overall with a 5-10-7 record. Led by head coach Freddy Juarez, the team scored 25 goals, with Damir Kreilach leading the squad with 8 goals, but ultimately failed to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs. Off the field, owner Dell Loy Hansen announced he would sell his stakes in the club following a controversy. At the season's end, long-time club captain Kyle Beckerman retired after a historic career.. In the 2021 MLS season, Real Salt Lake rebounded from a low-expectation projection to finish 7th in the Western Conference and 13th overall, securing a playoff spot on the final matchday with a dramatic 90+5' goal by top scorer Damir Kreilach. Under interim head coach Pablo Mastroeni, who took over in August following Freddy Juarez's surprise departure, RSL went on a historic postseason run. They advanced all the way to the Western Conference Finals before falling 2-0 to the Portland Timbers.