HERRIMAN, Utah (January 11, 2022) – On Tuesday, Real Salt Lake selected two players in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas, selecting Pedro Fonseca with the 53rd overall pick, Jasper Loeffelsend with the 81st overall pick. The Club also acquired $50,000 in 2022 General Allocation Money from Columbus Crew in exchange for RSL’s natural first round pick (25th overall).
Fonseca, 24, comes to Real Salt Lake from the University of Louisville where he tallied 15 goals and 16 assists in 48 appearances, including eight goals and eight assists during his senior season for which he was named to the 2021 All-ACC First Team. Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Fonseca made three appearances in the NCAA Tournament and a berth to the Round of 16 during his sophomore year.
Loeffelsend, 24, appeared in 36 matches in his two seasons at the University of Pittsburg, during which he recorded two goals and 18 assists. The German-born defender is the two-time reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist and a two-time member of the All-ACC First Team.
Real Salt Lake is set to begin the 2022 regular season at Houston Dynamo FC on Saturday, February 27 before returning to Rio Tinto Stadium for the team’s Home Opener on Saturday, March 5 at 4:00 p.m. MT against Seattle Sounders FC.
Real Salt Lake finished the 2021 season in dramatic fashion, booking its place in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs on Decision Day before making a run to the Western Conference Final following a 14-14-6 regular season record. RSL will open the 2022 season on the road against Houston Dynamo FC on February 27 before returning to Rio Tinto Stadium for the home opener against Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, March 7.
