Real Salt Lake General Manager Steve Pastorino and Head Coach John Ellinger today announced the signing of Salt Lake City native MF Adam Acosta to the developmental roster. In addition, RSL announced that it has waived FW Jeff Rowland from the developmental roster. Acosta will be eligible to play in this weekend's season opener against Chivas USA on Sunday, as well as RSL's first Reserve League game of the year on Monday morning.
"Adam's somebody we used last year in our reserve games and he trained with us during our 2005 preseason at the University of Redlands," Ellinger said. "He did very well on his own merit and it is a plus that he is from Salt Lake City. Adam trained with the team throughout the 2005 regular season and made the effort to train hard. He proved in the reserve league that he can score and has worked very hard to get where he is at today."
Acosta was called up for nine games with the RSL Reserves, with three starts, tallying two goals and one assist. He is the first-ever Redlands men's soccer player to earn All-SCIAC First Team accolades each of his four-year career. He ranks second all-time at Redlands with 83 games played and 76 games started while also ranking third with 25 career assists.
"This is a proud day for Adam and RSL," Pastorino said. "He is an example that hard work, dedication and patience pay off. He has truly earned this spot on the roster and we know that he will push our other forwards every day to try and earn a spot in the starting 11.
"At the same time, we wish Jeff Rowland a speedy recovery from his ACL surgery. We retain his rights within MLS and we have made it very clear to him that he will be given every opportunity to earn a roster spot as soon as he is 100%."
Rowland suffered a right knee Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury earlier this month during preseason training camp in Salt Lake City. The Albuquerque, New Mexico native had his ACL surgically grafted by RSL Team Physician and Orthopedic Surgeon, Andrew Cooper, at the Comprehensive Orthopedic Specialists in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Rowland was a first round (Second Overall) selection in the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft on January 26. The Albuquerque, New Mexico native left the University of New Mexico as the most decorated player in school history and is the only two-time All-American in school history. He went from a non-recruited walk-on to a Hermann Trophy Finalist during his four years at New Mexico. In addition to being a great athlete, he excelled as a student with a 3.76 grade point average in Marketing.
