RSL selects Amass Amankona with third-round draft pick

With the fifth pick in the third round of the MLS Draft, Real Salt Lake picked Amass Amankona from Dayton, a midfielder from Ghana.

Amankona, who was a fifth-year senior at Dayton, studied his first year of university at the University of Ghana. At Dayton, he was named the University of Dayton Presidential Scholar Athlete of the Year.

In 2015, Amankona scored 13 goals and picked up five assists over 23 games.

Amankona was one of the top players ranked by Top Drawer Soccer in 2015, rounding out the season ranked 23rd. But he also received accolades beyond simply his play, as he was named to the NSCAA 2015 Scholar All-America first team.

Amankona isn't hugely likely to play directly for Real Salt Lake to start his first year, with Real Monarchs more likely to provide a development venue. He already has PDL experience, having played for the Charlotte Eagles,