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Real Salt Lake Selects Defender Bret Halsey to Highlight 2021 MLS SuperDraft Class

January 21, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


HERIMMAN, UTAH - Real Salt Lake added four players in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas on Thursday, highlighted by Generation adidas defender Bret Halsey out of Louisville with the seventh overall pick in the first round. RSL later selected midfielder Elijah Amo (34th overall), forward Aris Briggs (61st overall) and forward Rene White (84th overall) to round out the club's four picks.

Halsey, a two-time ACC All-Tournament recipient, appeared in 31 matches, all starts, during his three seasons with the Cavaliers, including eight this past fall playing every minute of every match. During the 2019 campaign he played in 22 of the 24 matches on Virginia's way to the NCAA National Championship final where they eventually fell in penalty kicks to Georgetown.

"We are thrilled to welcome Bret Halsey to the Real Salt Lake family," Real Salt Lake General Manager Elliot Fall said. "Bret is an all-around player with the potential to compete in multiple spots on the field. We are eager to see what he brings to the pitch and look forward to seeing him in Utah."

The University of Virginia defender is a Generation adidas player, a joint venture between Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer, meaning should he be rostered he will not count against the team's senior roster.

Amo appeared in 54 matches during his four years with Louisville, scoring six goals and adding one assist. This fall he started in all six matches and scored a team-leading three goals.

"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."

He joins current teammates Andrew Brody and Tate Schmitt as Cardinal alumni to join Real Salt Lake.

A two-time Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year, Aris scored 27 goals in 53 appearances for Georgia State, including 16 goals during his junior season. He added five goals in his senior season, good for second-most in the country.

"Aris is a powerful, relentless attacking player with game changing potential. We are happy to welcome him to Real Salt Lake," Beltran said.

White finished his career at NJIT with a school-leading 34 goals in 54 appearances. For his offensive prowess he was named the 2019 Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year after finishing fourth in the nation with 17 goals.

"We are elated to welcome Elijah to the Club," 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."

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