The Houston Dynamo have acquired defender Abdoulie Mansally from Real Salt Lake in exchange for a conditional third round 2017 MLS SuperDraft pick, the club announced today.
Mansally, 27, enters his tenth MLS season in 2016. The left back has made 138 career appearances, including 19 with Real Salt Lake last season (14 starts). The Gambia native has appeared in eight World Cup Qualifying matches and made a total of seven appearances at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup and 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Mansally (pronounced: Ab-DOO-lee man-SAL-lee) set career-highs with 25 appearances and 19 starts with the New England Revolution in 2009.
“The acquisition of Abdoulie strengthens our roster by adding an additional left-sided defender with significant MLS, playoff and CONCACAF Champions League experience,” Dynamo VP/general manager Matt Jordan said. “He’ll be a welcomed addition to our backline and we look forward to his integration into the group.”
Mansally appeared in two MLS Cup playoff games and five CONCACAF Champions League matches in four seasons with Real Salt Lake. He was Real Salt Lake’s Humanitarian of the Year in 2015 and 2014 for his work leading the Mansally Foundation, including the donation of soccer equipment to the children of his hometown of Banjul and helping others with school expenses.
Abdoulie is a U.S. Green Card Holder and will not occupy an international roster spot on the Dynamo roster. The defender will join the Dynamo in Tucson, Arizona today as the club continues its preseason with the Desert Diamond Cup, beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday against the Colorado Rapids. The match will be streamed live at www.HoustonDynamo.com/Live.
ABDOULIE MANSALLY
Full name: Abdoulie Kenny Mansally
Pronunciation: Ab-DOO-lee man-SAL-lee
Position: Defender
Date of Birth: Jan. 27, 1989
Birthplace: Banjul, Gambia
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 160 lbs.
Previous club: Real Salt Lake
Transaction: Dynamo acquire Abdoulie Mansally from Real Salt Lake in exchange for a conditional third round 2017 MLS SuperDraft pick.
