Real Salt Lake selects DF Ryan Neil in first round of 2014 MLS SuperDraft

PHILADELPHIA – Real Salt Lake on Thursday selected University of California DF Ryan Neil with the 18^th overall pick in the first round of 2014 MLS SuperDraft.

Neil spent four years at Cal, earning All-Pac-12 second-team honors in 2013 and 2012. The 22-year-old played and started 20 games this past collegiate season, recording one goal and four assists and earning an All-Pac-12 second-team selection as a senior at Berkeley. Neil helped the Golden Bears reach the quarterfinals of the 2013 NCAA College Cup, putting in a full 90 minutes in the team’s 2-1 quarterfinal loss to the University of Maryland. In his junior year, Neil earned a spot on the NSCAA All-Far West third team and was a member of the All-Pac-12 second-team while recording a career-high five assists. The Mission Viejo, Calif. native appeared in 67 games, made 48 starts and tallied a total of two goals and 13 assists in his collegiate career.

A capable attacker, Neil will compete at right and left back for RSL. He was Real Salt Lake’s only pick in the first two rounds of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft. The third and fourth rounds of the SuperDraft will be held via conference call next Tuesday, Jan. 21, with the Claret-and-Cobalt holding the 53^rd overall pick in the third round and the 70^th overall selection in the fourth round.

Name: Ryan Neil
Position: Defender
Height: 6-1
Weight: 165 lbs.
Birthdate: Jan. 2, 1992
Hometown: Mission Viejo, Calif.
College: University of California
Acquired: Selected in the first round (18^th overall) of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 16, 2014

Real Salt Lake 2014 Preseason Key Dates/Schedule (subject to change)
2014 MLS SuperDraft – Rounds III and IV

Tuesday, Jan. 21

Preseason Opens – Salt Lake City

Friday, Jan. 24 – Entrance physicals in Salt Lake City

Preseason Training Trip No. 1 – Casa Grande, Ariz.

Saturday, Jan. 25 – Travel to Casa Grande, Ariz.
Jan. 25-Feb. 1 – Training at Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Ariz.
Sunday, Feb. 2 – Return to Utah

Preseason Training Trip No. 2 – Irvine, Calif.

Tuesday, Feb. 4 – Travel to Irvine, Calif.
Feb. 4-13 – Training at the University of California-Irvine in Irvine, Calif.
Friday, Feb. 14 – Return to Utah

Preseason Training Trip No. 3 – FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup

Feb. 17 – Travel to Tucson, Ariz.
Feb. 18 – Training at Kino Sports Complex
Feb. 19 – Real Salt Lake vs. New England Revolution - North Stadium at Kino Sports Complex – 6:00 p.m.
Feb. 20-21 – Training at Kino Sports Complex
Feb. 22 – Real Salt Lake vs. Chicago Fire – North Stadium at Kino Sports Complex – 3:30 p.m.
Feb. 23-25 – Training at Kino Sports Complex
Feb. 26 – Real Salt Lake vs. FC Tucson – North Stadium at Kino Sports Complex – 6:00 p.m.
Feb. 27-28 – Training at Kino Sports Complex
March 1 – Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium
5^th Place vs. 6^th Place – 2:30 p.m.
3^rd Place vs. 4^th Place – 5:00 p.m.|
1^st Place vs. 2^nd Place – 7:30 p.m.

2014 MLS Regular Season Opener

Real Salt Lake at LA Galaxy – Saturday, March 8 - StubHub Center – 8:30 p.m. MT

2014 RSL Home Opener

Real Salt Lake v. LA Galaxy – Saturday, March 22 - Rio Tinto Stadium – 2:00 p.m. MT (NBCSN)