Real Salt Lake Signs Trio In MLS SuperDraft Opening Round

SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake has signed Ilijah Paul, Bertin Jacquesson, and Emeka Eneli with the 7th, 16th, and 25th pick of the MLS SuperDraft Wednesday evening.

Real Salt Lake Makes MLS SuperDraft Moves

Interestingly, Real Salt Lake acquired the 7th pick, which they used to sign Paul, from Atlanta United in exchange for $175,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM).

With the 7th pick of the @MLS #SuperDraft by @adidasfootball we have selected Ilijah Paul from @UW_MSoccer pic.twitter.com/VgVBm65QpC

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) December 21, 2022

Real Salt Lake acquired the 25th pick earlier in the day following news that RSL Homegrown defender Aaron Herrera had been traded to CF Montreal. As part of the deal, Montreal provided Real Salt Lake with $500,000 in GAM, one 2023 international roster spot, and the 25th pick.

Paul, 20, joins Real Salt Lake from the University of Washington where he led the Pac-12 Conference with 11 goals following the conclusion of the regular season. He was named the Pac-12 offensive player of the year in 2022, and was a Pac-12 all-conference first-team member. He stands at 6 feet tall and is a threat to score with both his feet and his head.

Jacquesson joins Real Salt Lake from the University of Pittsburgh but originally comes from Lorrez-Le-Bocage, France. Jacquesson grew up playing for the RC Strasbourg Alsace academy before coming to the United States to play for the University of Pittsburgh. Jacquesson follows a similar route to that of Real Salt Lake midfielder Jasper Löffelsend who Real Salt Lake acquired with the 81st pick of the 2021 MLS SuperDraft.

Eneli, joins Real Salt Lake from Cornell University where he earned All-Ivy League First Team and Second Team United Soccer Coaches Men’s Northeast Region honors in 2022. He started in all 15 appearances, finishing as team runner-up in goals (7), assists (7), points (21), shots (40), and shots on goal (23).

Real Salt Lake selected three forwards with all three of their first round selection at the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. The club is clearly interested in adding to its offensive power following an offseason that has already seen Bobby Wood and Aaron Herrera moved.

Real Salt Lake’s second round selection hailed from Syracuse. Amferny Sinclair is a midfielder and was picked up with the 16th pick in the second round. The final selection for Real Salt Lake came with the 16th pick in the third round when they selected defender Moses Mensah.