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SANDY — On the final day of the NBA trade deadline, Major League Soccer club Real Salt lake moved defender Abdoulie Mansally to Houston in exchange for a 2017 MLS SuperDraft pick.
Mansally, a 27-year-old Gambian international, joined RSL midway through the 2012 season and played 57 matches, including 49 in MLS play. He totaled 1,310 minutes with 14 starts for the Salt Lake side in 2015, becoming a fixture at left back in RSL's defensive structure.
Mansally was also active in the community, establishing The Mansally Foundation to aid his native country as well as immigrants in the Salt Lake area. A two-time RSL Humanitarian of the Year winner, the veteran defender was well-known and well-liked in the locker room and just the second player to win the award in consecutive seasons.
"We would like to thank Abdoulie for everything he has done on and off the field during his time with Real Salt Lake and wish him nothing but the best through the next stages of his career," RSL general manager Craig Waibel said in a statement.
But the left-back position became cluttered recently with the return of veteran defender Chris Wingert after one season at New York City FC. With the addition of Notre Dame fullback Max Lachowecki, as well as returning starter Demar Phillips, Mansally saw a potential logjam for playing time at his position.
RSL has 10 defenders on the roster, with the three left backs and versatile defensive players Boyd Okwuonu, Justen Glad and homegrown signing Danilo Acosta.
In exchange for Mansally, the Dynamo sent RSL a conditional third-round pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.
"The acquisition of Abdoulie strengths our roster by adding an additional left-sided defender with significant MLS, playoff and CONCACAF Champions League experience," Houston general manager Matt Jordan said in a statement from the club. "He'll be a welcomed addition to our backline and we look forward to his integration into the group."
The move frees up a roster spot for RSL to fill with other necessities, such as the team's long-held desire to add another center back before the season. RSL is in discussions with Ghanaian central defender Jerry Akaminko. The 27-year-old is on trial with RSL during preseason camp in Tucson, Arizona.
Mansally's move, however, does not open an international spot, as the Gambian international is also a U.S. green card holder.
RSL opens the 2016 season next week with a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal match at Tigres UANL of Liga MX. The two clubs meet at Rio Tinto Stadium on March 2, followed by the MLS opener at Orlando City SC on March 6.
