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SANDY — With three major losses across the Real Salt Lake back line since the beginning of December, it seems logical that the technical staff would try to throw in some fresh bodies to the team’s six defenders on the 2015 MLS roster.
RSL is expected to sign its ninth Homegrown Player in franchise history with the addition of former Highland High School and Clemson University defender Phanuel Kavita. Clemson made the announcement Monday on its school website.
The Salt Lake club is finalizing the deal, and Kavita is likely to bolster the first team's depth while being able to see additional time with the third-division Real Monarchs.
Kavita, a 22-year-old central defender who played in all 22 games with two goals for the Tigers in 2014, would be the club’s first signing since re-acquiring Jamison Olave from New York amid a sea of roster changes. RSL has lost defenders Nat Borchers, Chris Wingert and Carlos Salcedo to Portland, New York City FC and Liga MX’s Chivas de Guadalajara, respectively, in the past month.
The Clemson product also confirmed the news on his Twitter account.
It's been a blessing all through the way. Can't wait for my new journey. http://t.co/nCmDZO1PM8#RSL — Phanuel Kavita (@phanuel313) January 11, 2015
Now, the team will add some youth and fresh legs to the defense — along with a local player to the Wasatch Front.
Kavita was a four-year starter at Clemson, tying for fourth all-time at the school with 81 career starts. He helped the Tigers to 0.95 goals-against average as a senior team captain. The Salt Lake City native, who helped Clemson to a 12-7-3 record in 2014, played for RSL’s Arizona Academy and earned all-region and all-state honors at Highland.
The 6-foot-1 Kavita made his mark with the Tigers right away, scoring the game-winning goal against then-No. 1 Maryland in an ACC match during his freshman season. He was the only player to start every game of the past four seasons at Clemson, and he helped the Tigers to a remarkable 0.91 goals-against average with only 20 goals allowed as a junior in 2013.
Kavita becomes the fourth Clemson product to sign with an active MLS team, joining New York City FC's Thomas McNamara, Toronto FC's Joe Bendik and the Houston Dynamo's Nate Sturgis.
Kavita played for Monarchs head coach Freddy Juarez alongside University of Virginia standout Riggs Lennon at RSL’s Casa Grande, Arizona academy. Juarez became the first Monarchs coach in franchise history Dec. 23.
USL Pro added 12 teams for its 2015 season to the 14-team league won by Sacramento Republic FC last year. Orlando City SC will move to MLS for the upcoming season, bringing the total number of teams to 25 — with more MLS clubs considering fielding a third-division team. The Monarchs will play the 2015 season at Rio Tinto Stadium and are expected to move into the team’s own venue at the Utah State Fairpark by 2016.
