MLS Draft Interview: Matthew Bell, Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake gained a new attacker in Tuesday's MLS SuperDraft. A sophomore out of Marshall, Matthew Bell was drafted by RSL with the No. 16 overall selection. Bell is a native of Kingston, Jamaica, but traveled north to West Virginia to play college soccer. He was an immediate contributor in his freshman year, hitting the back of the net on 10 occasions and assisting another 4. In his sophomore year in 2023, he won the SunBelt Conference Player of the Year. He matched his 10-goal year, but saw a huge uptick in assists, dishing out 12 helpers. He is the second ever player in school history to record multiple seasons of double-digit goal scoring.

Bell is the highest ever MLS draft pick out of Marshall. He helped the Thundering Herd become the top ranked team in the country last season. Bell was honored to learn that he is the highest pick in the school's history, and says that it is a testament to the program they're building.

"It’s definitely an amazing feeling," Bell said. "Just to be drafted in general is a blessing and to find out I’m the highest draft pick in Marshall’s history just shows you the direction in which the soccer program is going. I think at Marshall the trust that the coaches put in me and my abilities is really what gave me that confidence to show what I can do."

The attacker exhibits an incredible display of speed and control each time he's on the pitch. He makes charging runs into the box, and clearly has all of the athletic traits that you'd look for in a player. He has no fear of taking players on, and creates chances for others, as well as himself at a wild rate. For Bell, he has the physical attributes, but the next step was learning the ins and outs of the beautiful game.

"What I think has improved most about my game is my understanding of the game and spaces, and how a team can use the ball to create gaps and break lines and I think my time at Marshall has really exposed me to what football is," Bell said.

He is headed to Real Salt Lake, a team that would benefit from some help in the attack. RSL has cycled through depth-profile strikers, but they have not been able to get consistent production out of any one player as of late. Bell is just ready to get started and get to work.

"I’m looking forward to meeting everyone in and around the team and the community," Bell said. "I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity and I just can’t wait to start this new chapter in my life and my career. Hopefully I can stay here for many years and bring home some trophies along the way."

He departs Marshall and their community with tons of amazing moments, as he contributed to a whopping 36 goals in his two years there. That comes out to nearly one goal contribution per game. Bell leaves the Herd supporters with one last message.

"What I will probably miss most are the supporters of Marshall who have shown me so much love since day one," Bell said. "Hopefully I made you guys proud and left you with some good moments to remember for a long while because you guys have certainly gave me memories I’ll cherish for the rest of my life!"