Rich Balchan

The 11th overall selection in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, Balchan joined RSL on March 2, 2013 after spending the 2011 and 2012 seasons with the Columbus Crew.

Balchan recorded an unlucky first season with Real Salt Lake, suffering a dislocated shoulder against the LA Galaxy Reserves on April 28, 2013. The Indiana University product underwent successful shoulder surgery and made a return to the Real Salt Lake Reserves in its final match on September 24, 2013 in RSL’s‘ 2-0 win over Chivas USA Reserves. Balchan made no Claret-and-Cobalt first-team appearances in last year but played in a total of six RSL Reserve games – two of which were starts.

A versatile defender capable of playing both center and outside back, Balchan will hope to have a healthy 2014 season and provide RSL with valuable depth at all four spots across the backline.

Acquired

RSL: Signed to a contract by Real Salt Lake on March 2, 2013
CLB: Drafted with the 12th overall pick of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 13, 2011

Professional Career

2013: Made no first-team appearances for the Claret-and-Cobalt … Played in a total of six Real Salt Lake Reserve games, two of which were starts … Suffered a dislocated shoulder against the LA Galaxy Reserves on April 28; the injury kept him out for most of the season

2012: Did not feature in any MLS matches due to various injuries, including a sports hernia injury that required surgery and kept him out for most of the season

2011: Selected by Columbus with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft … Made his professional debut in the CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal series against Real Salt Lake, starting both legs of RSL’s series win over the Crew … Appeared in 19 regular season matches, 18 of which were starts … Scored his first professional goal on June 4 in the Crew’s 1-1 draw at the New York Red Bulls … Started the Crew’s one playoff game, a 1-0 Wild Card Game loss at the Colorado Rapids

Personal

Despite being an Indiana University alum, Balchan is a big supporter of the University of Michigan – a Big 10 Conference rival and his parents’ alma mater

College

2007-10: Appeared in all but two out of 80 possible matches in his four-year career at Indiana University … Scored four goals and added seven assists in his career with the Hoosiers … Named First-Team All-Big Ten in the 2010 season