One year after trudging through early-season rehab after breaking his foot on the first day of preseason in 2015, Real Salt Lake forward Joao Plata is standing tall through the first month of the 2016 season. With three goals and two assists through the first three matches for RSL, Plata is among four finalists for the Etihad Airways Player of the Month for March, joining four other contenders from around the league for the honor.
Against Orlando City SC in the season opener, Plata scored both goals in a 2-2 draw. He followed that up with assists on both goals in RSL’s 2-1 win over Seattle Sounders FC in the home opener the following week.