Utah Soccer Founder and Chairman David W. Checketts invites the Salt Lake community to join the organization Saturday for the announcement of Major League Soccer's newest team's name and logo identity, as well as General Manager Steve Pastorino's formal introduction of the team's inaugural head coach.
Season ticket sales for Utah Soccer's inaugural campaign have surpassed 500 in total, as a veritable who's who of Utah business personalities and community leaders have submitted orders for their 2005 MLS season tickets.</p>
"Going into Saturday's open house and seat selection event with more than 500 season ticket holders after just two weeks of sales is outstanding," said Pastorino. "I am ecstatic to be able to unveil the franchise's identity and head coach on Saturday to such a welcoming and supportive community."</p>
Alan Jones became Utah Soccer's 'First Fan' when he reserved his online season tickets at 12:01 p.m. on September 15. Jones, a former Chicago Fire faithful, returned from Illinois to his native Utah in 2003 and was elated to hear of MLS' expansion. </p>
"Having MLS in town will be a tremendous boost to the Utah youth learning the game, and I'm so happy my boys will get to see these games and world-class players in their own backyard," stated Jones. "Our company, Solare Design/Build, is committing to these tickets long-term, and we hope many other companies in the area will join us in creating a passionate and vocal fan base for this great sport." </p>
Several Salt Lake City community leaders have demonstrated support as season ticket holders, including:<br>
Frank Layden, Utah Jazz Legend
Peter Corrone, Salt Lake County Mayoral Candidate
Bill Bosgraaf, Utah Adult Soccer Association
Paul Burke, Utah Youth Soccer Association
Dave Oram, American Youth Soccer Organization-Section 9
John Garff, Ken Garff Automotive Group
David Neeleman, CEO, Founder, JetBlue Airlines
Scott Leishman & Lowell Leishman, Republic Mortgage
Rhett Bullen & John Bullen, Evolution Fitness
The Boyer Group
Mike Bennett, Team Gear International
Brian Cunningham, Snell & Wilmer
Mark Gibb, Durham, Jones & Pinegar
Gaylen Jorgensen, Let's Play Indoor Soccer Centers
Cesar Morales, Deportes Los Jarochos
Dan Lofgren, Cowboy Partners
Tom Love, Love Communications
Peter Minenno, ScoreGoal Futsal
Kelly Moller, Avalon International Marketing
Tyler Parrish, Chapman Richards Realty
Mike Peterson, Peterson Oil
Mike Polich, Coldwell Banker
Rick Pratt, American Elite Mortgage
David Simmons, Simmons Media
Tom Spangler, Soccer Locker
David Strasser, Coldwell Banker
Season tickets for the 2005 Major League Soccer season can be purchased by calling (877) MLS-UTAH or visiting www.MLSnet.com. Full season ticket packages include 20 Games from April to October 2005, as well as various special events. Season ticket holders will also receive an inaugural season scarf, media guide and t-shirt, exclusive "Meet the Team" opportunities, ticket exchange program priority and priority seat selection in future seasons.</p>
Major League Soccer, in its ninth season, is America's only Division I men's outdoor professional soccer league. Two expansion clubs, Salt Lake and CD Chivas USA, join the League for play in 2005, while the ten teams competing for MLS Cup 2004 are: the Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, Dallas Burn, D.C. United, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, MetroStars, New England Revolution and the defending champion San Jose Earthquakes. For more information about MLS, log on to the League's official Web site at www.MLSnet.com.</p>
