Real Salt Lake Makes Three Selections In MLS SuperDraft First Round
Dec 20, 2024, 1:32 PM | Updated: 2:10 pm
(Photo courtesy of Real Salt Lake)
(Photo courtesy of Real Salt Lake)
SANDY, Utah—Real Salt Lake is focused on adding threats this offseason. To kick off the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, the team selected a trio of first-round forwards. Following the round, RSL acquired an additional first-rounder in a trade with the Columbus Crew. Real Salt Lake added a total of eight players in the SuperDraft.
The three-round MLS SuperDraft was held on Friday, December 20. RSL started the day with the 19th pick in each round, later adding all three New York Red Bulls picks in a trade for forward Elias Manoel.
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so this was fun. let’s do it again sometime 🤪
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) December 19, 2024
The Claret and Cobalt added Jesus Barea from Missouri State, Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos out of Marshall, Sergi Solans from Oregon State, and goalkeeper Max Kerkvliet from UConn.
SuperDraft Round 1
No. 19 Overall: Jesus Barea – Missouri State Bears
Real Salt Lake selected Missouri State forward Jesus Barea with the 19th pick of the first round.
A 5’9 forward from Cádiz, Spain, Barea earned United Soccer Coaches All-American first-team recognition in 2024. The senior’s 15 goals were tied for the fourth-most in Division 1. His 34 points were the fifth-most in D1. Barea led the country with 2.78 shots on goal per game and was third in the country with 4.5 shots per game.
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With the 19th overall pick of the @MLS SuperDraft, we have selected Jesus Barea from Missouri State University.
Excited to have you join the RSL fam, Jesus!! pic.twitter.com/6dvWsvfT2h
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) December 20, 2024
Barea started 85 of the 88 games he played at Missouri State, tallying 34 goals and 19 assists. He is credited with five game-winners in 2024 and ten in his career.
No. 21 Overall: Max Kerkvliet – UConn Huskies
In its third acquisition of the day, RSL sent $75,000 to the Columbus Crew for the rights to UConn goalkeeper Max Kerkvliet.
With the 21st overall pick of the @MLS SuperDraft we have selected Max Kerkvliet from the University of Connecticut.
Welcome to Utah, Max!! pic.twitter.com/D2IWe6QXGv
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) December 20, 2024
A 6’5 redshirt freshman from Houston, Texas, Kerkvliet allowed 13 goals while starting all 18 games for the Huskies in 2024. His .772 save percentage was the tenth-best mark in the nation.
Kerkvliet tallied eight clean sheets in his redshirt freshman season.
No. 29 Overall: Lineker Rodrigues Dos Santos – Marshall Thundering Herd
The first of three selections acquired from the New York Red Bulls earlier in the day, RSL picked Lineker Rodrigues Dos Santos out of Marshall University.
With the 29th overall pick of the @MLS SuperDraft, we have selected Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos from Marshall University.
Excited to have you join the Claret & Cobalt, Lineker!! pic.twitter.com/3dhiSE4WOb
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) December 20, 2024
Rodrigues dos Santos started 23 of 24 matches in 2024. He scored 15 goals to finish with 35 points.
Before landing at Marshall, he played three seasons with the Memphis Tigers. He started 45 of 50 games with the Tigers, scoring 20 goals and nine assists, including nine game-winners.
No. 30 Overall: Sergi Solans – Oregon State Beavers
RSL acquired the 30th pick in a deal with the LA Galaxy, taking Oregon State forward Sergi Solans. Real Salt Lake sent $50,000 to LA in exchange for the pick.
With the 30th overall pick of the @MLS SuperDraft, we have selected Sergi Solans from Oregon State University.
Welcome to the Beehive State, Sergi!! pic.twitter.com/wbOsnktrXJ
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) December 20, 2024
The youngest of RSL’s first-round picks, Solans recently finished his redshirt freshman season with the Beavers. The Lleida, Spain, native started 14 of 16 games in 2024, registering 14 goals, three assists, and 31 points.
Second Round
No. 49 Overall: Nick Dang – Virginia Mountaineers
With the 49th overall pick of the @MLS SuperDraft, we have selected Nick Dang from the University of Virginia.
Welcome to the 801, Nick!! pic.twitter.com/LUv5gxCkdj
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) December 20, 2024
No. 59 Overall: Trace Alphin – Wake Forest Demon Deacons
With the 59th overall pick of the @MLS SuperDraft, we have selected Trace Alphin from Wake Forest University.
Welcome to the RSL fam, Trace!! pic.twitter.com/kus5Ry2cT2
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) December 20, 2024
Third Round
No. 79 Overall: Liam O’Gara – Wake Forest Demon Deacons
With the 79th overall pick of the @MLS SuperDraft, we have selected Liam O'Gara from Wake Forest University.
Excited to have you join the club, Liam!! pic.twitter.com/0DMmUJpXob
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) December 20, 2024
No. 89 Overall: Aleksandar Vukovic – Marshall Thundering Herd
With the 89th overall pick of the @MLS SuperDraft, we have selected Aleksandar Vukovic from Marshall University.
Welcome to Utah, Aleksandar!! pic.twitter.com/fNPt12pPrg
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) December 20, 2024
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball coverage here.
