Real Salt Lake Re-Signs Defender Tony Beltran

Dec 18, 2018, 12:43 PM | Updated: 12:47 pm

Real Salt Lake defender Tony Beltran (2) is grabbed by Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan (10) during a game at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday, March 22, 2014. (Matt Gade, Deseret News)

(Matt Gade, Deseret News)

BY TREVOR ALLEN, KSL SPORTS

KSL Sports

SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake announced that they have re-signed veteran defender Tony Beltran, keeping him with RSL for his 12th season.

Beltran is a two-time MLS All-Star as well as a member of the 2009 Real Salt Lake team that won MLS Cup.

“I have heard some writers say that the only book that matters is the next one. Now I understand the same holds true in sports. For a long time I didn’t know if there was going to be another game, the next one, or where that game where that game would be,” Beltran said. “Next year, RSL and I will continue the journey we started together 11 years ago. The next game will be here, in this city that means so much to me, a place that I’m proud to call home.”

He missed all of the 2018 season with an injury that he suffered late in the 2017 campaign. Beltran was drafted by RSL in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, being selected as the third overall pick, he has spent his entire career in a RSL uniform.

After making his debut in April of 2008, Beltran has started in 230 of his 245 regular season appearances. He averaged 28 starts and over 25,000 minutes per season from 2012-16.

“Tony is part of the fiber of this club,” RSL General Manager Craig Waibel said. “Even as our roster evolves with a young core in place, it’s important to have players like Tony who are more than capable in their positions and excellent leaders in the locker room as well.”

The 31-year-old is one of the three players on the roster that is from the 2009 championship team, along with midfielder Kyle Beckerman and goalkeeper Nick Rimando.

“I am very happy that we were able to re-sign Tony,” RSL Head Coach Mike Petke said. “He is someone that embodies the character, professionalism and playing ability that I want to represent this team.”