Real Salt Lake Land Australian Striker Ariath Piol To Bolster Attack
Jan 23, 2025, 12:47 PM | Updated: Jan 24, 2025, 10:24 am
SANDY, Utah- It has already been a busy offseason for Real Salt Lake with several large transactions happening in the months since the end of the MLS season.
The most unanticipated so far has been the club’s decision to move on from last year’s top goal scorer Chicho Arango in a transfer to San Jose Earthquakes. The move left many RSL fans questioning where the Claret-and-Cobalt would go to replace his 29 contributions, and it seems at least the first effort has been made.
Real Salt Lake have signed 20-year-old Australian Striker Ariath Piol of Macarthur FC from the Australian A-League via permanent transfer and is signed with the club through the 2027 season.
Ready to see Ari on the @MLS stage 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/HW0pvUeaMn
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) January 23, 2025
Macarthur FC are just past the midway point of their Australian A-League season. With 14 games played, the Bulls are in sixth place, middle of the table in the 13-club league, with 21 points.
Ariath Piol has appeared in nine of the club’s 13 games so far with four starts and five substitutions. Piol has had a strong start to the season with three goals and one assist. His last goal came on New Year’s Day in a 3-2 win over Western Sydney.
Macarthur had just cleared the Western Sydney possession and had a throw-in around midfield. Piol made a run down the near sideline and received the ball with heavy pressure from his defender. Ariath pushed the ball out in front of him and beat his man to it, streaking toward the face of goal and burying it into the top of the net, capping of the wonderful individual effort.
One of the best solo goals you’ll see this season 😱⚡️Ariath Piol, TAKE A BOW!
Getting the ball 35 yards out, leaving the defender for dead – @mfcbulls regain the lead care of some individual brilliance from the 20-year-old 👏
Watch #WSWvMAC live and exclusive NOW on Paramount+… pic.twitter.com/edXTmALwrG
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) January 1, 2025
“All praise and glory to God for my blessings, I’m happy and grateful to have this U.S. Major League Soccer opportunity,” Piol said about his move to MLS via a press release from Real Salt Lake. “I’ve enjoyed my research of the club and I can’t wait to get on with the great group of players and staff that we’ve got. I’m excited to learn every day, and I’m looking forward to this upcoming season and how I can add my personality to the squad and help the team succeed.’’
How To Watch Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake travels to Santa Barbara, California, on Thursday, January 23, for training camp. The Claret & Cobalt will open the 2025 MLS season against former striker Chicho Arango and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, February 22.
All Major League Soccer games are broadcasted on Apple TV with MLS Season Pass.
