SANDY, Utah (Friday, December 14, 2018) – Real Salt Lake selected DF Donny Toia in Stage 1 of the MLS Re-Entry Draft on Friday, bringing the RSL Academy product and former RSL player back to Rio Tinto Stadium.
“Donny Toia is a young player, but he’s also experienced,” RSL Head Coach Mike Petke said. “He has been in the league for a while and can contribute to our club and still has the potential for growth.”
Originally signed by Real Salt Lake as the club’s first ever Homegrown signing in 2011, Toia played with FC Tucson of the PDL in 2012 and USL Pro’s Phoenix FC in 2013 before returning to MLS with Chivas USA in 2014. There, he started 24 matches out of his 27 appearances. After one season with Chivas, he moved to the Montreal Impact in the 2014 MLS Dispersal Draft. He held the starting left back position for two seasons with the Impact, starting 44 of his 48 appearances and scoring his lone goal. In 2015, he started in all six Knockout Round matches during Montreal’s run to the CONCACAF Champions League Final. Prior to the 2017 season, he moved to Orlando City SC in the Expansion Draft and started 32 of his 34 appearances.
“Donny is a player we have been following throughout his career and it’s great to bring back a product of our Academy who has been able to gain valuable experience around the league,” Real Salt Lake General Manager Craig Waibel said. “He is an experienced player who brings a good locker room presence and will add depth to our back line.”
With Toia’s return to Real Salt Lake, the club now has 11 RSL Academy products on the roster. Toia joins DF Danilo Acosta, FW Jordan Allen, MF Luis Arriaga, FW Corey Baird, DF Justen Glad, DF Aaron Herrera, DF Brooks Lennon, GK David Ochoa, FW Sebastian Saucedo and FW Julian Vazquez.
2019 Real Salt Lake season tickets are available now at RSL.com/Tickets or by calling 844-REAL-TIX (844-732-5849).
Transaction: Real Salt Lake Selects DF Donny Toia in Re-Entry Draft.
Player Information
Name: Donny Toia
Position: Defender
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 160 lbs
Born: 5/28/1992 (26 yo)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Last Club: Orlando City SC
