SALT LAKE CITY - Real Salt Lake General Manager Steve Pastorino today announced that RSL will host its first-ever international friendly on Wednesday, June 8, at 7:30 p.m. MT at Rice-Eccles Stadium against South American powerhouse Universidad Católica. The contest against the Chilean First Division squad represents the first time RSL has played a team from South America.
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"Universidad Católica is one the most storied clubs in Chile," Pastorino said, noting that Católica joins German power Hannover 96 as international clubs to have entered relationships with Real Salt Lake. "It is truly an honor to host their first tour of the United States. We hope this game marks the beginning of a long-term relationship with the Chilean First Division team, and look forward to bringing South American flavor to Utah."
The game is included in RSL's 2005 full season ticket plan and is marked as "Bonus Game A" in season ticket packages. 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.
"I am pleased for our first international friendly to be played against a club of this caliber," said RSL Head Coach John Ellinger, en route to Seattle for tomorrow's reserve contest against the Seattle Sounders. "Universidad Católica has forged a consistent reputation internationally as a true power, and we are excited to showcase our talents and their squad before our phenomenal fans."
The June 8 game in Salt Lake City represents the second leg of the Católica tour of the United States, with the first leg being played against the Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium at 5:30 p.m. MT on Saturday, June 4. Católica currently holds the top spot in the Chilean First Division with a 13-2-1 record and three weeks to play, outscoring its opponents 35-10. Católica is seven points clear of Universidad de Chile and FW Jose Luis Villanueva leads the team with eight goals. Its 4-1 win against Cobreloa last weekend qualified the team for Copa Nissan Sudamericana, the CONMEBOL club championship tournament to be held August-December, 2005.
The storied Chilean team was the 1993 Libertadores Runner-up, champions of the 1993 edition of the Copa Interamericana, and 15-time Champions/Runner-up in the Chilean First Division. Santiago-based Católica is the former home of current MetroStars GK Jonny Walker, is coached by Jorge Alberto Pellicer Barcelo, and was founded in 1937.
SEASON TICKETS STILL SELLING BRISKLY: Real Salt Lake season ticket packages, now pro-rated following the first two games, remain on sale. The RSL 2005 season ticket package now features 19 games, including the remaining 14 MLS regular season games, four special bonus games and the highly-anticipated U.S.-Costa Rica World Cup Qualifier on June 4. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the RSL Ticket Office at 515 South 700 East, #2R, SLC, UT 84102, by logging onto www.RealSaltLake.com or by contacting the Real Salt Lake Ticket Office at (866) 9-SOCCER.
GET YOUR FLEX ON WITH NEW SEASON TICKET OPTION: To add more options for fans, RSL now offers the Flex Season Ticket Package, which is comprised of twenty vouchers of the same price category (North Goal, Corner Flag, Premium and VIP) that allows the purchaser to determine which games they would like to see in the regular season and how many tickets needed for that game. Prices for the 2005 Flex Package are $260 for the North Goal, $320 for the Corner Flag, $440 for the East Sideline and $560 for the VIP seats. Tickets can be redeemed in the following way: one could use all the vouchers and bring 20 people to one game or 4 people could attend five games. Flex vouchers are discounted from the day of game pricing making it an even greater value. Vouchers can be redeemed in advance through the Real Salt Lake Front Office by mail or in person or on the day of the game at the Real Salt Lake Customer Service Window. Seating is best available per price category at the time of redemption. The June 4th US-Costa Rica and RSL-FC Dallas doubleheader is not included in the flex package.
SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE: Real Salt Lake single-game tickets for its inaugural 2005 season at Rice-Eccles Stadium continue to be on sale both online and at the University of Utah Ticket Office, located at the Stadium's south end. Individual game prices are $14 for north goal, $18 for corner flag, $25 for premier east and $32 for VIP west. Individual game tickets can be purchased by visiting the Utah Ticket Office at 451 South 1400 East, by logging onto www.utahtickets.com or by contacting the Ticket Office at (801) 581-UTIX. Fans are continued to be encouraged to purchase in advance.
ACCESS REAL: Real fans can now receive up-to-date information on the team by signing up for the RSL Weekly Newsletter the fans section of RealSaltLake.com.
MLS CAMPS: MLS Camps, the Official Camp and Clinic of Major League Soccer, has partnered with Real Salt Lake to provide Packaged Camps, Clinic & Training Services and Supply Opportunities to the Greater Utah Community. To host a Program in your community, call (800) 680-6272 or by logging onto www.MLScamps.com and register for a program near you.
