Real Salt Lake general manager Steve Pastorino announced the acquisition of striker Melvin Tarley, a Liberian-born forward who has scored six goals in three U.S. Open Cup Games for the Minnesota Thunder (USL First Division).

In order to clear roster space for today's acquisition, RSL placed DF Matt Behncke on waivers. Behncke appeared in eight RSL games this season, starting seven and logging a total of 587 minutes for the senior team.

Tarley, a 22-year old forward who stands at 6-foot-1, found the back of the net twice in the Thunder's 6-4 win over RSL July 13 and tallied all four Thunder goals in the team's 4-1 win over the Colorado Rapids on Aug. 3. Tarley started and played 88 minutes in Minnesota's 3-1 win over the Kansas City Wizards on Aug. 24, advancing the USL First Division squad to the Open Cup semifinals against Los Angeles on Sept. 14.

"One of the best ways to evaluate players is to view them playing against your own team, and Melvin Tarley displayed his abilities against us in the third round of the 2005 U.S. Open Cup," RSL coach John Ellinger said. "He is somebody we felt that we should immediately add to our roster. Tarley is a forward that has good pace, great size and holds the ball well, and we welcome him as we make our push for a playoff berth."

As part of the transfer, RSL and Minnesota have agreed that Tarley will be available to return to his former team for its semifinal game against Los Angeles. Should Minnesota advance to the final, Tarley will be available for his former team for the Open Cup finals.

Tarley began his career with the Thunder during the 2003 season and logged just 400 minutes during his rookie season, scoring once in 16 appearances. The speedy forward led Minnesota with eight goals during the 2004 season, while playing 1,313 minutes in 24 games.

Tarley has a green card and will not count as one of RSL's international players.