SALT LAKE CITY - Real Salt Lake today announced that Utah's Major League Soccer club, in conjunction with the Latin American Chamber of Commerce (LACC) and the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (UHCC), will host an exhibition match to raise funds on behalf of victims of last month's devastating earthquake in Peru. The exhibition, featuring members of the Real Salt Lake family and Utah soccer community taking on a group of former South American-based players, will take place on the Rice-Eccles Stadium field beginning at 9:15 p.m. MT on Wednesday, Sept. 19, following RSL's home clash that evening against the Los Angeles Galaxy (7:00 p.m. kick-off).
Support from around the globe has been trickling into Peru after the country was struck by a massive 8.0 magnitude earthquake on Aug. 15, which killed more than 500 people and left tens of thousands without shelter. Real Salt Lake has announced that the club will donate $5 for every ticket sold to the night's doubleheader by the LACC and the UHCC, which are locally spearheading fundraising for the relief efforts, to the Peruvian Consulate in the United States. Fans wanting to purchase tickets through the LACC are asked to contact Francisco Calderon at 801-688-3477.
"We are so excited to put our talents and skills to work as we help the victims in Peru recover from this disaster," said RSL Hispanic Relations Representative Francisco Terreros. "The whole Latino community has put their hands and their hearts to work to make this game possible so our Peruvians brothers and sisters can quickly overcome this tragedy."
In addition to the exhibition match, the evening at Rice-Eccles Stadium will feature a glimpse of the Peruvian culture - including a Peruvian dance troupe that will perform in between the evening's contests. The Peruvian consulate will be on hand with a booth in the Carnival Real festival area that will feature a silent auction and information on how fans can further help the relief efforts.
"Help us help them!" exclaimed Peruvian counsel Guido Loayza. "This is a beautiful expression of sensitivity from Real Salt Lake and the Utah Hispanic and Latin American Chambers of Commerce towards our brothers and sisters that are living in catastrophic conditions in Peru. Hoy por ti mañana por mí," which is a famous Spanish quote that translates to, "Today I will help you because tomorrow you would help me."
The 30-minute exhibition contest will pit representatives of the Utah soccer community - including former MLS and USL players, soccer administrators, and members of the BYU Cougars PDL squad - against a team consisting of players that plied their trade across the South American continent. Real Salt Lake continues to work to add players to both rosters for the exhibition match, but players already confirmed to participate include:
Team Utah
Wilmer Cabrera - Colombian international who represented his country in two different FIFA World Cups - Italy 1990 and France 1998. The current MLS Fan Development Manager spent his professional career playing for some of Colombia's top clubs, including América de Cali, Millonarios and Chicó FC.
Mauricio Cienfuegos - An early pioneer of Major League Soccer, the El Salvador international and seven-time MLS All-Star helped the Los Angeles Galaxy win the 2000 CONCACAF Champions Cup, 2001 U.S. Open Cup, and 2002 MLS Cup titles before retiring in 2003.
Brian Dunseth - Former U.S. Olympic Team representative and RSL defender who spent eight seasons in Major League Soccer.
Brian Kamler - A nine-year MLS veteran who ended his career with Real Salt Lake in 2005, the year he was also named the MLS Humanitarian of the Year.
Greg Maas - Serves as the Technical Director for the Utah Youth Soccer Association and Head Coach of the RSL-Utah Under-17 Boys Team.
Steve Magelby - BYU Cougars midfielder who has appeared for the RSL Reserves over the last two seasons.
Chad Sackett - Former Utah Blitzz goalkeeper and RSL Reserves member in 2005 who now serves as the MLS club's Community Sales Director.
Chris Watkins - Currently the Head Coach of the BYU Cougars USL PDL squad who also played for the Utah Blitzz.
Team South America
Ariel Bravo - Argentine who spent a decade playing professionally in South America and Mexico before finishing his career by helping the Utah Blitzz win a pair of USL Pro Soccer League titles.
David Chevez - Played for Peruvian powerhouse Alianza Lima and the Peruvian National Team.
Alejandro "Guti" Gutierrez - Colombian playmaker who was a standout with the Utah Blitzz before finishing his career with the Portland Timbers of the A-League.
Orlando "Pony" Maturana - Defender at youth international level for Colombia who played professionally for Colombian side CD Tolima.
Adolfo Valle - Ex-Chilean National Team performer who played for Chilean power Universidad Catolica and Ecuadoran side Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito before helping the Utah Blitzz to the 2001 & 2004 USL Pro Soccer League championships.
