Real Salt Lake announced a trade today with the Columbus Crew that bolsters the team's depth up front and continues Coach John Ellinger's youth movement, sending reserve GK Noah Palmer to the Columbus Crew in exchange for the Crew's 2007 first-round supplemental draft pick as well as the rights to FW/MF Duke Hashimoto, a 2006 MLS SuperDraft fourth-round pick (38th overall).
"This is a good deal for both teams, giving Noah a chance to start for a senior MLS team and for RSL to acquire another young, speedy, attacking talent," said RSL Head Coach John Ellinger. "Duke is a guy who loves the game, who will run through walls for his teammates and for the badge on the front of his chest. We had him rated as one of the top players coming out of college this year, and we are excited to have him as part of the organization."
Hashimoto has appeared in four games with the Crew reserves, logging 221 total minutes. The former SMU second-team All-America honoree has spent the first two months of the MLS season completing coursework towards his Business degree, limiting his time with Columbus.
Palmer appeared in one match for the RSL reserves, a game in which he logged the full 90 minutes and made three saves to record a shutout in RSL'S 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy in Park City on April 30. The former University of Maryland 'keeper missed the entire 2005 season due to shoulder surgery.
Transaction: RSL acquires rights to Duke Hashimoto and 2007 first-round supplemental draft pick for GK Noah Palmer.
JERRY SEINER / RSL COACHES SHOW ON KALL 700 AM: RSL invites fans to join RSL players, coaches and front office staff at the Jerry Seiner Salt Lake dealership's Iceberg Café located at 1530 South 500 West every Thursday for the weekly "Jerry Seiner/RSL Coaches Show" at 6:00 p.m. MT. The KALL 700 Bill Riley Show will broadcast LIVE each week at Jerry Seiner Salt Lake from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. MT, with Coach Ellinger and RSL personalities featured during the final hour. This week Bill will be joined by RSL players Danny Torres, Andy Williams and Ryan Johnson.
Each week, fans can compete against players, coaches and each other in the X-BOX FIFA 2006 Challenge. Supporters will compete to qualify to play in the Carnival Real X-BOX competition at every home game, where an X-BOX will be given away to the most outstanding player. RSL's next 2006 X-BOX FIFA Challenge will be Saturday, May 27 at Carnival Real when RSL takes on the Colorado Rapids at Rice-Eccles Stadium at 2:00 p.m. MT. Carnival Real opens at 1:00 p.m.</p>
