RSL adds crucial center back depth via trade for Columbus' Philip Quinton

The Crew will received a guaranteed $150,000 in GAM and a conditional $50,000 if certain performance incentives are met for the 24-year-old defender out of Notre Dame, according to a team release.

Real Salt Lake’s center back conundrum has a new solution.

The club announced Friday the addition of Columbus Crew defender Philip Quinton in exchange for up to $200,000 in general allocation money via trade.

The Crew will received a guaranteed $150,000 in GAM and a conditional $50,000 if certain performance incentives are met for the 24-year-old defender out of Notre Dame, according to a team release.

The former MLS SuperDraft first-round pick was under contract with Columbus via club options through 2026.

Quinton spent three seasons with Columbus, signing with the club’s Crew 2 second team in 2022 and appearing in 19 regular season matches, including 17 starts. He signed with the first team for 2023 and 2024, scoring his first MLS goal in a 6-1 win over Atlanta United on March 25, 2023.

“I’m honored to join Real Salt Lake and be a part of the project in Utah,” Quinton said. “RSL is a great club with a big history and an excellent plan to keep building into the future. I’m excited to meet all my teammates and the coaching staff, and most importantly I can’t wait to see the great fans that support the Club.”

The move comes two weeks after Marcelo Silva suffered an injury that head coach Pablo Mastroeni said will keep him out for a significant amount of time. Erik Holt is out with a hamstring injury, and both starting center backs of Justen Glad and Brayan Vera are listed as questionable this week, with Bryan Oviedo, Bode Hidalgo and even attacking midfielder Matt Crooks filling in central defense during training sessions.

Quinton could be available for selection for RSL’s match Saturday against the Chicago Fire at Soldier Fire after joining the team from Columbus in the Windy City.

Kickoff Saturday is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. MT on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, with Tyler Terens and Kyndra de St. Aubin on the call in English and Alejandro Luna and Luis Gerardo Bucci getting the nod in Spanish.