SALT LAKE CITY --
While Real Salt Lake gets ready for another busy week on and off the field, the Utah side is proud to announce that RSL will team up with Major League Soccer in two weeks time to host MLS Futbolito 2008, the League's official 4-v-4 soccer tournament co-presented by Panasonic and Sierra Mist. This year's edition of MLS Futbolito will take place on Saturday, August 2, at Riverside Park (739 N. 1400 West) in Salt Lake City, with check-in for the event beginning at 8:00 a.m. MT and the games kicking off at 9:00 a.m.
MLS Futbolito 2008, sponsored locally by Coldwell Banker, Makita, Regence BCBS of Utah, SL Regional Medical Center, Siegfried & Jenson, Western Union, The Truth, Worker's Comp, and KFC, is a series of all-day events targeting the League's growing multicultural fan base and represents the largest touring Hispanic event hosted by a U.S. professional sports league. As part of the stop in Utah, Real Salt Lake players and an MLS Futbolito Ambassador will be on hand to sign autographs and take in the fast-paced action throughout the day at Riverside Park.
The 4-v-4 tournament is open to players of all ages, abilities and affiliations. Team rosters can consist of up to seven players (four field players and three substitutes) and each team will play a minimum of three games in round-robin action, with the possibility of advancing to the single-elimination championship playoff. The entrance fee is $150 per team for those competing in the Adult Premier Division and $120 per team for all other participants.
Registration is available in eight different divisions, Premier Adult, Adult Recreations, and six Youth divisions - U-18, U-16, U-14, U-12, U-10, and U-8. Winners of each division will receive prizes with the first and second place teams in the Premier Division competing for $3,000 in cash prizes. In addition to the games, each registered player will receive a ticket to a Real Salt Lake game, an exclusive adidas MLS Futbolito t-shirt, and the opportunity to win prizes from the presenting sponsors as well as associate sponsors: adidas, Chase, Fox Sports en Español, Glidden, The Home Depot, Volkswagen, and VISA.
Teams can register online on the MLS Futbolito official website, www.MLSFutbolito.com, or at the Real Salt Lake offices (515 South 700 East, Suite 2R in the Trolley Corners building). The deadline to register teams is July 28. Visit the MLS Futbolito official website or call 1-888-MLS-FUTBOLITO toll-free for more information. The website includes complete lists of all rules and regulations and information regarding the competition dates and locations in both English and Spanish.
Real Salt Lake In the Community: July 22-30
A full list of Real Salt Lake community appearances through next Monday, July 28, is included below. Please contact the RSL Communications Department at 801-924-8584 for more details on any of the listed events.
Who: Head Coach Jason Kreis
When: Tuesday, July 22, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. MT
Where: KALL 700 studio at Trolley Corner; 515 S 700 East in Salt Lake City, UT
What: The KALL 700 Sports RSL Coach's Corner returns to the airwaves this Tuesday, July 22, when RSL sideline boss Jason Kreis will join host Trey Fitz-Gerald for this week's edition from 6:00-7:00 p.m. MT. Kreis and Fitz-Gerald will have plenty of things to talk about, including recapping last Saturday's scoreless affair at Chicago and previewing Wednesday's Pioneer Day Eve friendly against Deportivo Saprissa and the upcoming "Monday Night Futbol" showdown with Toronto FC. As always, fans far and wide are invited to participate in the show by dialing in to the KALL 700 Sports caller hotlines at 470-0700 (Utah County), 570-0700 (Salt Lake County), 670-0700 (Davis & Weber Counties), and 877-353-0700 (toll-free).
Who: Leo's Pride
When: Wednesday, July 23 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. MT
Where: Carnival Real at Rice-Eccles Stadium - RSL v. Deportivo Saprissa match
What: Leo's Pride, Real Salt Lake's charitable outreach partner, will be raising funds for the family of James Taylor, a victim of the recent medical helicopter tragedy in Arizona late last month, at its Carnival Real booth prior to this Wednesday's Pioneer Day Eve international friendly against Deportivo Saprissa at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Leo's Pride, presented this season by Coldwell Banker, will choose a different charity or cause to raise funds for at its Carnival Real location prior to each Real Salt Lake home contest during the 2008 season.
Who: Mascot Leo the Lion
When: Thursday, July 24 from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. MT
Where: Madison Middle School; 575 W. 7th South in Rexburg, ID
What: Leo the Lion will hop on his chopper and head north of the (Utah) border to Rexburg, Idaho, where he'll entertain participants at an MLS Camps session at Madison Middle School. For more information on this event, please contact Dirk Strobel of Rexburg Soccer at strobelfamily@msn.com.
Who: Mascot Leo the Lion
When: Saturday, July 26, from 9:30-11:00 a.m. MT
Where: Lowe's of Sandy; 9291 S. Quarry Meadow Road in Sandy
What: RSL mascot Leo the Lion will continue his series of Lowe's "Build and Grow Soccer Clinics" for kids this Saturday at the Lowe's of Sandy from 9:30-11:00 a.m. MT, with the first 50 kids in attendance receiving a free mini soccer ball!
Who: Leo's Pride
When: Monday, July 28, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. MT
Where: Carnival Real at Rice-Eccles Stadium - RSL v. Toronto FC
What: Leo's Pride and Coldwell Banker will return to Carnival Real from 6:00-7:00 p.m. MT on July 28, for RSL's "Monday Night Futbol" showdown against Toronto FC. For the contest against the "Reds," Leo's Pride will be raising funds for the local branch of the Heart 2 Home Foundation.
