Joao Plata

Acquired in a trade with Toronto on Jan. 30, 2013, it looks like the 20-year-old Plata could become the latest discarded MLS player to have a re-birth at Real Salt Lake. Much like RSL defender Aaron Maund, the talented Plata was a victim of some turbulence at TFC, which sent him on a loan to Ecuadorian side LDU Quito halfway through 2012 before trading him to RSL this offseason.

The tiny Ecuadorian – Plata stands just 5-foot-2 and weighs in at 135 lbs. – showed very well for the Claret-and-Cobalt during preseason, giving defenders fits with his quickness, agility, skill and finishing. The Ecuadorian international is a significant addition to RSL’s revamped forward corps – look for him to provide a spark off the bench as a third forward and get an occasional spot start for lead forwards Robbie Findley and Alvaro Saborio.

Acquired

RSL: Acquired by Real Salt Lake on Jan. 30, 2013 in a trade with Toronto FC in exchange for a second round pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft

TOR: Selected with the 49^th pick of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. Officially signed with Toronto on Jan. 10, 2012 following the conclusion of a year-long loan

Professional Career

2012: Went on a six-month loan from Toronto FC to Ecuadorian club LDU Quito on July 11 … Played 10 league games – seven starts – for Toronto before leaving for Quito without scoring a goal or adding an assist … Finished his TFC career with 10 goals and nine assists in 52 games across all competitions

2011: Appeared in 26 matches, starting in 21 … Recorded three goals and five assists, while logging 1,753 minutes … His first career goal came on May 7 at BMO Field against Houston … Plata also logged the game-winning assist in the May 7 match against the Dynamo, with the entire performance earning him MLS Player of the Week honors for Week 8 …. Appeared and started in all four of TFC’s matches in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship … Scored one goal in the second leg of the finals against Vancouver … Was named the George Gross Memorial Trophy winner as the tournament’s MVP … Appeared in five of Toronto’s CONCACAF Champions League matches, starting in four … Scored four goals including two during the decisive group stage match in Dallas on October 18 … Was the leading scorer  at the 2011 MLS Combine … Drafted by TFC with the 49^th overall pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft

2010 – LDU Quito (Ecuadorian 1^st Division): Made seven appearances in his first full year with the LDU first-team … Started five matches for Quito and scored one goal, a game-winner against ESPOLI in September

Ecuadorian National Team

Has one senior cap for his native Ecuador, coming on as a late game substitute in Ecuador’s 2-2 friendly draw against Canada at BMO Field on June 1, 2011 … Has appeared in multiple games for the Ecuadorian Under-20 National Team