Just hours after the Utah House of Representatives passed a bill to support funding that would help build a soccer specific stadium in Salt Lake County, Real Salt Lake owner Dave Checketts stood before a gathering of lawmakers, media and RSL fans at the center of the State Capitol's outdoor plaza to officially announce "Real Salt Lake is here to stay."
"As players, this has been a very emotional time for us," said Jason Kreis. "Our wives have been on our backs and it's been difficult. We're just very, very happy to be here."
Following extensive negotiations with local and state leaders, things took an intense turn a couple weeks ago when Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon decided not to allocate county money to the stadium project in Sandy.
Frustrated at the lack of support from the county, Checketts made preparations to sell the squad to an ownership group in St. Louis. It was news that cut deeply into those most loyal to RSL.
"It was terrifying and gut wrenching to be making final payments on season tickets for my family and reading ... 'we're going to sell. St. Louis, here we come,'" said Glenn Webb, president of The Loyalists, one of several RSL supporters groups.
It is those fans like that who were Checketts' main motivators for trying to keep the team on the Wasatch Front.
"If there was ever a reason to do this," said Checketts, "you just have to look at our fans."
With conversations between RSL and the county going sour, Governor Jon Hunstman stepped in. The governor urged lawmakers to find a way to keep Major League Soccer in Utah, stating that he saw the economic benefit that Checketts' development plan could have on the area.
Less than two weeks later, a resolution seems to have been found. When addressing the crowd gathered at the Capitol on Thursday, Governor Huntsman made sure to thank the players who, he said, are often overlooked on whether the team stays or goes.
"As a player, this wasn't a very long process," said RSL winger Chris Klein. "But, it was pretty intense for the time that it was up in the air."
Klein is one of several veteran RSL players who are not strangers of playing in situations of uncertainty while their team tries to find a permanent home. Before joining Salt Lake in 2006, Klein spent his previous eight seasons as a professional with the Kansas City Wizards, who, for much of the time while he was there, were looking for a public-private partnership to build a soccer specific stadium. Unlike RSL, the Wizards are still looking for a solution outside of Arrowhead Stadium.
Klein is just grateful that the situation in Salt Lake was dealt with quickly.
"It was a lot different [than in Kansas City] because this one was swift," said Klein. "I really applaud Mr. Checketts and the way he handled this situation. It really is amazing how it all came together and I was glad it didn't drag on."
Scott McAllister is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
