Real Salt Lake Select Louisville Cardinal Forward In Second Round Of MLS Superdraft

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake has made its second selection in the 2021 MLS Superdraft by selecting striker Elijah Amo out of University of Louiseville.

Amo was selected in the second round with the 34th overall pick after playing 54 games for the Cardinals, he started on 23 occasions scoring 6 goals and notching 1 assist.

“We are elated to welcome Elijah to the Club,” Real Salt Lake Assistant General Manager Tony Beltran said. “Elijah is a dynamic attacking player that our staff had identified high on the list of potential targets, We look forward to welcoming to Salt Lake in the near future.”

RSL is currently searching for more strike power in the attacking third, which would suggest why RSL opted to bring in Amo’s qualities. He joins current RSL players Andrew Brody and Tate Schmitt to join RSL from University of Louisville.

DRAFTED‼️@ElijahAmo ➡️ @realsaltlake #GoCards | #SuperDraft pic.twitter.com/ICVOu7gPeo

— Louisville Men's Soccer (@UofLmenssoccer) January 21, 2021

KSL Sports reported earlier this week that U.S. international Bobby Wood has agreed to join RSL this season. Wood becomes the second forward to join RSL after Rubio Rubin signed a contracted earlier this year.

Amo became the second player to be drafted by RSL following Bret Halsey’s arrival after the club selected him with the seventh overall pick.

Historically, the MLS Superdraft has produced players that spend most of their careers at the USL level. However, occasionally a player breaks the trend and performs at the first team level. Fortunately, RSL has had a handful of those drafted impact the club. None greater than current Assistant General Manager Tony Beltran who was selected by RSL in the 2008 Superdraft.

Other notable players that RSL has selected include goalkeeper Jeff Attinella who is currently a member of the Portland Timbers and Chris Schuler who managed 105 regular season appearances between the years 2010-18.