REAL SALT LAKE SIGNS FORWARD CHRIS AGORSOR
Young Striker to Be Available for Utah Side in Advance of Saturday’s Showdown with San Jose Earthquakes

SANDY, Utah (Friday, July 22, 2011)– Real Salt Lake today announced the signing of forward Chris Agorsor to the Utah side. Per club policy, contract terms will not be disclosed. Agorsor will be available for selection for RSL Head Coach Jason Kreis when Real Salt Lake plays host to the San Jose Earthquakes this Saturday, July 23 (8:00 p.m. MT kickoff), during the Utah side’s annual Pioneer Day Celebration, presented by Les Olson Company. Agorsor and the rest of the Utah side will be available for comment following RSL’s training session this morning at XanGo Field in Lehi, beginning at 11:00 a.m. MT.

“Having a talent like Chris Agorsor enter the squad provides our attack with added depth as we enter the second half of our regular season schedule,” said RSL General Manager Garth Lagerwey. “Chris possesses tons of potential, and we hope our coaching staff will be able to bring out the best in him as he looks to renew his professional career in Claret-and-Cobalt.”

Agorsor has been training with Real Salt Lake for the majority of the last month, this after the highly-touted striker was waived by the Philadelphia Union in early June. The 20-year-old native of suburban Baltimore (Severn, MD) has been under the American soccer community’s microscope since his high school days, when his standout play for the Baltimore Bays and McDonogh School led to him earning such distinctive accolades as the Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year, National Soccer Coaches Association of America Player of the Year and U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-17/18 Player of the Year honors.

#13  Chris Agorsor

Position: Forward

Height: 5’9”                Weight: 145 lbs.

Born: September 1, 1990 in Severn, Maryland

Hometown: Severn, Maryland

Citizenship: USA

College: University of Virginia

MLS Experience: Rookie (2011)

Last Club: Philadelphia Union (2011)

Pronunciation: A-GOR-sor

Acquired

RSL: Signed to roster on July 21, 2011

PHI: Philadelphia Union acquired MLS rights in special player lottery February 14, 2011

MLS Career

2011 (PHI): Scored two goals, including the game-winner, in a preseason match against Greek Third Division side Hersonissos F.C. on 3/03 … Played full 90 minutes and tallied the Union’s first ever MLS Reserve League goal on 4/10 v. NY, helping the Union Reserve side to a 2-1 win … Also played all 90 minutes for the Union Reserves on 5/16 v. DC (0-1 L), 5/29 v. TOR (0-0 T) … Was waived by Philadelphia on 6/02 and joined RSL camp as a trialist in late June.

College

Made 20 appearances across two seasons at the University of Virginia, although both years with the Cavaliers ended prematurely due to injury … 2008: Appeared in seven games as a freshman in Charlottesville, starting five, before suffering a season-ending knee injury on 9/23 vs. Central Connecticut State … Tallied four goals, including one game-winner … Started his collegiate career off with a bang, scoring in three straight games against SMU (8/31), George Mason (9/05), and Hofstra (9/07) … Had final goal of the season vs. NC State (9/19) … 2009: Appeared in 13 games as a sophomore, starting in 10, before his season ended due to an ankle injury … Scored two goals and added two assists en route to the Cavs winning the NCAA College Cup, although the ankle injury prevented him from participating in the postseason … Scored game-winner against VCU on 9/29.

Youth Career

U.S. Youth National Teams: Was a member of the player pools for the U.S. Under-20, Under-18 & Under-16 Men’s National Teams … Called into the USA’s U-18 side for the Limoges Tournament in France in Oct. 2007, playing in all three contests at the prestigious youth tournament … Earned a last-second call-up to the U.S. U-20s for a trip to England in May 2008, making the most of the opportunity by scoring a goal in the USA’s 2-0 win over the Boltom Wanderers Reserves and also impressing during an exhibition against the Manchester United Reserves … Club Career: Played club soccer for the Baltimore Bays from 2006-09 … Helped the Bays win numerous crowns, including the 2006 U.S. Youth Soccer U-16 National Championship, the 2008 U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-17/18 National Championship, and the 2009 U.S. Youth Soccer Region I title … Enjoyed an accolade-filled 2008 campaign after being named the Gatorade National Player of the Year, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-17/18 Player of the Year & U-17/18 First-Team member, the NSCAA Player of the Year and Baltimore Sun’s Male Athlete of the Year … High School: Played three years of high school ball for McDonogh School in Owings Mills, MD, helping the squad to the 2008 Maryland Athletic Interscholastic Association ‘A’ Conference championship.

Misc.

Born on September 1, 1990 in Severn, Maryland … Following his two injury-riddled seasons at the University of Virginia, spent time trialing in Europe, including training stints with English Premier League power Manchester United and Portuguese First Division side CD Nacional … Combined his junior and senior years at McDonogh School in order to accelerate his soccer career … While he has suited up for the United States at youth international levels, Agorsor is also eligible to switch his national team allegiance to Ghana.

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