Olmes Garcia

Acquired by Real Salt Lake on Feb. 21, 2013 on a transfer from Colombian club Deportes Quindio, MLS newcomer Olmes Garcia enjoyed a successful first year with the Claret-and-Cobalt. Despite having to adjust to a new country, team, language, culture and tactics, the 21-year-old fit right in with the club and made an impact off the bench, notching five goals and four assists in 24 league games played – eight of which were starts. All of the Colombian’s goals were scored in substitute appearances.

Garcia scored his first career MLS goal, a stunning curler from outside the box, against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place on April 13, 2013. The young forward also notched a brace last year against the LA Galaxy on June 8, 2013, scoring two goals in the last 10 minutes to ensure a 3-1 RSL victory. Garcia’s strong season earned him a spot on MLSsoccer.com’s 24-under-24 list, with the speedy striker coming in at 19^th in the annual rankings.

Acquired
 

RSL: Signed by Real Salt Lake on a transfer from Colombian club Deportes Quindio on Feb. 21, 2013

Deportes Quindio (Colombian 1^st Division): Signed with Quindio’s first team in January 2011

Professional Career

2016: Appearing in 24 games Garcia started nine of those for the Claret-and-Cobalt adding one goal and one assist in 964 minutes. His one goal came in RSL’s 3-1 win on August 6 against the Chicago Fire.

2015: Garcia led RSL with 33 appearances in his third season with the club.  He had career-highs with 15 starts and 1,542 minutes.  He finished the season with two goals and one assist in MLS play, also adding a goal in both the CONCACAF Champions League and U.S. Open Cup play.

2014:  Garcia had three goals in his second season with Real Salt Lake.  His season was highlighted by a two-goal performance in a substitute role on July 24 to power RSL to a 3-1 win over the Montreal Impact.  Of his 23 appearances, 12 were in a starting role and he surpassed his 2013 total with 1,191 minutes played.  Of his eight career goals, all have come off the bench.

2013: Played in 24 games – eight of which were starts – for the Claret-and-Cobalt in the regular season … Scored five goals and registered four assists … Finished in the top-five for RSL with five goals (tied for fourth), four assists (fifth), 15 shots on goal (fifth) … Scored his first goal for Real Salt Lake on April 13 in RSL’s 1-1 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC … Provided an assist on the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over Chivas USA on April 20 … Scored the game-winning goal in the 80^th minute in a 2-1 win over New England Revolution on May 8 … Notched a late brace as a sub in RSL’s 3-1 win over LA Galaxy on June 8 … Registered an assist on the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over Toronto FC on June 29 … Scored in RSL’s historic 3-0 win over FC Dallas on July 13 … Recorded an assist on Alvaro Saborio’s second goal in a 4-3 loss to New York Red Bulls on July 27 … Provided an assist on the second goal in RSL’s 4-0 rout of Columbus Crew on Aug. 24 … Provided an assist in RSL’s 3-0 win over Carolina RailHawks on June 26 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup … Featured in two playoff matches playing a total of 49 minutes – did not record any goals or assists

2012: Made 33 appearances, including 26 starts, across the 2012 Apertura and Clausura tournaments, both career highs … Set a career high for goals, scoring five in league play for Deportes Quindio

2011: Signed his first-ever professional contract with Deportes Quindio ahead of the 2011 Apertura … Made 14 appearances and 10 starts across 2011… Scored two goals for Deportes Quindio in his first full season as a professional

Personal

Full name is Olmes Fernando Garcia Florez ... Born in Barranquilla, Colombia … Grew up in the city of Istmina in the Chocó region of Colombia