SANDY, Utah (Friday, January 11, 2019) – Real Salt Lake selected two players in the 2019 Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Friday, selecting Sam Brown with the 17th overall pick and Kyle Coffee with the 41st overall pick. Both players will join the club ahead of the beginning of the 2019 preseason.
“The big thing for us right now is our culture,” RSL General Manager Craig Waibel said. “These young players need to be committed to their development and we want to be committed to them. Our roster is in a good spot right now. The balance of the roster is very good right now and we’re fortunate and happy to add players like Sam and Kyle to the mix.”
Brown spent four years at Harvard University where he started 61 of the 62 matches he appeared in during his time in crimson. The Ann Arbor, Michigan native contributed 12 assists in his time at Harvard, adding three goals to his name. During his senior season as a co-captain at Harvard, Brown earned All-Ivy League honors, earning a spot on the honorable mention squad, his third All-Ivy League postseason selection. Brown was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Year in 2014-15. Brown has previously spent time training with RSL and Real Monarchs of the USL Championship.
“It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to play professional soccer and now I just can’t wait to get to work,” Brown said. “I think the people at the club make it so great. From the front office, the staff and the players make RSL such a special club. I’m excited to meet all of the guys and the fans and get to work.”
Coffee arrives at the club via the University of Washington where he played four seasons. Coffee made 74 appearances and 45 starts for the Huskies, scored 15 goals and contributed 9 assists. A native of Syracuse, Utah, Coffee played his club soccer for La Roca FC and featured for Syracuse High School where he became the first-ever division one college player in his school’s history. Coffee previously spent time training with RSL and Real Monarchs.
“It’s an incredible feeling getting to be here with my family then getting the call to play for my hometown team,” Coffee said. “I’ve been to so many RSL matches in my life being from Utah. To be able to go to games as a kid and become a fan, to now being a part of it is surreal. I just can’t wait to get started.”
2019 Real Salt Lake season tickets are available now at RSL.com/Tickets or by calling 844-REAL-TIX (844-732-5849).
