Real Salt Lake made six roster changes this weekend, adding five new players and selling one player to Chivas USA.

The additions for RSL came through the Major League Soccer Super Draft. RSL sold forward Alecko Eskandarian to Chivas USA for approximately $125,000 in allocations in its only non-draft transaction.

The 2008 Major League Soccer Super Draft was a successful endeavor for RSL as they were able to obtain four young players who are anxious to play in the MLS. With the third pick in the draft, RSL nabbed Anthony “Tony” Beltran, who played for UCLA. The 20-year-old midfielder/defender has experience playing in big games such as the Under-20 World Cup last summer and several NCAA tournament games.

The 14th pick went to David Horst, a 22-year-old defender from Old Dominion. Horst is 6-foot-4 and weighs 200 lbs., which will help add power and height to the defense.

The 17th pick yielded one of the youngest players available in the draft, 17-year-old Alex Nimo. The midfielder/forward gained valuable time on the Under-17 National Team. Before coming to the United States, Nimo lived in a refugee camp in Ghana.

The 37th pick was Brennan Tennelle from San Diego, California. He is 5-foot-11 and could add speed to RSL’s midfield. Tennelle went to the University of California, Santa Barbara and helped the Gauchos to the 2006 NCAA College Cup title.

RSL will begin training with its youthful squad on Jan. 26. Trips to Florida, Calif. and Argentina highlight the pre-season before RSL opens its 2008 campaign at Rice-Eccles Stadium against the Chicago Fire on March 29.

Originally printed in The Daily Utah Chronicle on Janurary 22, 2008.