SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake forward Jonathan Menéndez has been loaned out to top-flight Argentinian club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield for the remainder of the year.

Menéndez, 28, has struggled to find playing time under manager Pablo Mastroeni in 2022 after battling injury and fitness throughout the opening 19 games of the season.

NEWS: We have loaned Joni Menendez to Velez.

We wish him the best of luck.

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) July 12, 2022

Jonathan Menéndez Loaned For The Year

“We appreciate Joni for everything he has done for our Club in the last year,” RSL General Manager Elliot Fall said. “This loan will allow Joni more opportunities to see the field and rediscover his best form while providing us with increased roster flexibility.”

Menéndez has only appeared in four games in 2022 and is yet to start. He has accumulated 142 minutes and is yet to notch a goal or assist.

Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield is 7 games into their 25-game campaign. Currently, they sit fourth from the bottom of the table having only managed to pick up five points with a goal differential of -3.

Most recently Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield lost to Club Atlético Colón despite scoring first and Colón being shown red in the 59th minute.

Menéndez was acquired by Real Salt Lake on May 29, 2021, and has since played in 25 games for the Claret and Cobalt. He has scored one goal and added five assists and was named to the MLS Team of the Week following his goal and assist against FC Dallas in week 23 of 2021.

Menéndez becomes the second player to leave Real Salt Lake in the Secondary Transfer Window after news broke that Everton Luiz joined Belgium second division side K.S.K. Beveren on a permanent deal.

Next RSL Match

Real Salt Lake will travel to Atlanta for a midweek clash with Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Kick-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. and will be available to stream for free via the KSL Sports and KSL 5 TV apps or on KSL Sports dot com.