January 10, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Real Salt Lake News Release
HERRIMAN, Utah – Real Salt Lake signed one of its two 2024 MLS SuperDraft first-round picks, DF Kevin Bonilla, who was selected last month No. 18 overall out of the University of Portland. As a Pilot in the 2023 season, Bonilla was a MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, receiving distinction in college soccer’s Heisman Trophy equivalent. Bonilla is signed for the 2024 MLS campaign, with Club options for the 2025, 2026 and 2027 seasons.
“This is such an exciting time for me, I’m very grateful for the opportunity,” said Bonilla, who has already arrived at the Club’s Herriman training facility ahead of this weekend’s preseason kickoff. “For RSL, which hasn’t seen me much since I was young kid, I’m excited to show out for the Club; RSL is known as a place that will play the young guys and give us a chance, especially if the performances are there. Just being able to train every day and knowing that you have that opportunity if you perform, that gives us confidence – just look at what happened with DF Emeka Eneli last year, what a perfect example.”
Bonilla, a dual U.S. / Honduras international from the Univ. of Portland, has been a highly-regarded prospect, the Dallas native distinguishing himself as one of the top outside backs in the country. The reigning West Coast Conference Defender of the Year, Bonilla is the first Portland Pilot to be drafted in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft since 2010, when RSL took MF Collen Warner. The 22-year-old senior – still an underclassman with a year of eligibility remaining due to a Covid-19 year – was also named to TopDrawerSoccer’s Best XI, the All-West Region First Team and the All-WCC First Team as well.
“I’m excited to just have the opportunity, to be honest with you,” said Bonilla, well-versed in both the MLS Academy and college soccer landscapes. “It’s been a tough road the past couple years in terms of my family stuff and other things going on. But just the team believing in me and giving me the opportunity is all I could ask for. Now it’s just on me to put the work in.
“I think first goal for anybody is to play, I understand that it’s going to take me impressing and me doing what I do. And you know, the whole reason RSL brought me here is for a certain reason in terms of how I play this year and past couple years. So I understand the challenge at hand and I’m ready for it.
Bonilla joins 2022 selection Jasper Löffelsend (Pittsburgh, No….
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at OurSports Central Major League Soccer MLS News…