SANDY — The day after getting ousted from the U.S. Open Cup in discouraging fashion, Real Salt Lake had some good news to announce on Thursday.
Nearly a month after trading away Alvaro Saborio and freeing up salary cap space to pursue a summer signing, RSL announced that it finally got a deal done as it signed Argentine striker Juan Manuel Martinez to a Designated Player contract.
He’ll be added to the roster pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate.
"Juan is a player with great quality that can add a new dynamic to our attack while fitting in with our style of keeping possession with the ball on the ground," said RSL technical director Craig Waibel in a press release statement. "A player with his pedigree and background will be a good addition to our locker room and our play on the field."
The 29-year-old striker has spent all 13 years of his professional career in South America and had a brief stint with the Argentine National Team with four appearances in 2011 and 2012.
Martinez has spent the past three years with Boca Juniors in Argentina, but playing time has been difficult to come by after Carlos Tevez joined the team this season.
With Real Salt Lake, he should add an immediate spark to an attack that’s struggled with consistency this season.
To free up a Designated Player roster spot, Real Salt Lake used the league’s recently-created Targeted Allocation Money to buy down the salary of Kyle Beckerman below the Designated Player level.
Martinez’s best year as a professional came in 2010 when he scored 10 goals to lead Velez Sarsfield to the title. He was named co-Argentine Footballer of the Year that year along with Lionel Messi.
"Martinez is a very experienced player," said RSL coach Jeff Cassar in a statement. "He's played in several high-level situations and has enjoyed success at each and every stop. We believe he will bring a style of soccer that we want for our club and our fans."
Real Salt Lake has scored 27 goals in 24 matches this season, but the club hopes the signing of Martinez helps its climb back into the MLS playoff picture. Currently, RSL is three points out of a playoff spot.
After Wednesday’s disheartening loss in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals, RSL returns to action this Saturday at home against the Portland Timbers — one of the teams it’s chasing in the playoff race.
Martinez won’t be available for the match, but it’s possible he could be available the following weekend when Real Salt Lake hosts Seattle, another team it’s chasing in the playoff race.
Deseret News prep editor and Real Salt Lake beat writer.