SALT LAKE CITY - Real Salt Lake General Manager Steve Pastorino today announced that RSL will host its second-ever international friendly on Wednesday, August 24, at 7:30 p.m. MT at Rice-Eccles Stadium against Jamaica's Harbour View Football Club. The idea for the contest against the defending Caribbean Club Champions emerged during discussions regarding the transfer of former Harbour View FC and current Jamaican National Team defender/midfielder Robert Scarlett to Real Salt Lake and Major League Soccer.
"Harbour View FC is the preeminent name in Jamaican soccer," Pastorino said. "The success of Jamaican players in MLS and Europe has much to do with the talent that Harbour View has developed over the past decade. The club led by GM Clyde Jureidini and coach Donovan Hayles will bring a distinct and entertaining style to Rice-Eccles Stadium."
Founded in 1974, Harbour View is named for a neighborhood in Jamaica's capital city, Kingston. Distinguishable by its blue-and-yellow colors, Harbour View has won Jamaica's FA Cup four times, represented Jamaica in CONCACAF Confederations Cup on multiple occasions and produced Jamaica's most prolific stream of international players. Harbour View's contributions to MLS include Onandi Lowe, Fabian Tayor, Damani Ralph, Wolde Harris and Scarlett. Jamaica's 2005 Gold Cup team was led in part by Harbour View's Jermaine Hue, Jermaine Taylor and Luton Shelton.
The game is included in RSL's 2005 full season ticket plan and is marked as "Bonus Game B" in season ticket packages. Real Salt Lake's flagship English-radio partner, 1280 AM The Zone, has tagged the Harbour View exhibition as a $12.80 ticket night for P-1 listeners. The specially-priced $12.80 tickets will be available at all 1280 remotes leading up to the games, at various appearances by the Zone Girls and the RSL Street Team, at the 1280 AM and RSL offices, and on www.1280thezone.com and www.RealSaltLake.com.
"I am pleased for our next international friendly to be played against a club of this caliber," said RSL Head Coach John Ellinger. "Harbour View battled well against D.C. United in this spring's CONCACAF Champions Cup, and we are excited to showcase our talents and their squad before our phenomenal fans."
Other ticket prices for this international match are consistent with single-game ($14 for north goal, $18 for corner flag, $25 for premier east and $32 for VIP west). Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Utah Ticket Office at 451 South 1400 East, logging onto www.utahtickets.com or by contacting the Rice-Eccles Ticket Office at (801) 581-UTIX. Groups of 20 or more should contact Real Salt Lake by calling (866) 9-SOCCER.
