Major League Soccer announced today that Real Salt Lake Stadium, the League's newest soccer-specific venue, will host the 2009 MLS All-Star Game next summer. MLS President Mark Abbott joined Real Salt Lake Owner David W. Checketts, Utah Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., and Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan at a press conference at the new Stadium to officially announce the event.
The new 20,000-seat stadium in Sandy, Utah, which is expected to open in October, will host the 14th annual MLS mid-summer showcase. The 2009 MLS All-Star Game will be the sixth time the MLS All-Stars will take on a high-profile international club, continuing the tradition of "MLS Takes on the World." The date and opponent for the 2009 All-Star Game will be announced by early next year.
"We are excited to bring the 2009 MLS All-Star Game to Utah and Major League Soccer's newest world-class venue," said MLS President Mark Abbott. "Real Salt Lake has a history of hosting first-rate soccer events, and we certainly expect Dave Checketts and his staff to continue this tradition with the All-Star Game. It is a testament to the growth of the League that we are able to host this wonderful event in a soccer-specific stadium for the seventh consecutive year."
Since its first season as an MLS expansion team in 2005, Real Salt Lake has seen tremendous support from the local community as soccer continues to grow in Utah. The MLS All-Star Game continues the list of high-profile soccer matches in Utah during the past few years, joining a 2006 World Cup Qualifier between the United States and Costa Rica and exhibition matches featuring high-profile clubs such as Real Madrid, Boca Juniors and Everton.
"The decision to call Utah home of the 2009 MLS All-Star Game represents precisely the type of opportunity that this Stadium and this team seek to set into motion," said Checketts. When we broke ground on that fateful August day in 2006, we knew that this Stadium would bring spectacular events to this community, and I cannot think of another event that exemplifies that idea more than this one. The eyes of the world will focus on the majestic Wasatch Mountains and stare in wide wonder. World-class players will witness the passion of our fans, and travelers from across the country will fill the streets of this valley over three days next summer to celebrate this wonderful game."
The MLS All-Star Game is a showcase of the League's brightest talents on the field. In recent years, the game has also featured the League's finest facilities. Since 2003, the MLS All-Stars have faced and defeated CD Guadalajara (Mexico), Fulham FC (England), Chelsea FC (England), and Celtic FC (Scotland), and are set to battle West Ham United (England) on July 24 at Toronto's BMO Field in the 2008 mid-summer event.
Fans from throughout North America and across the globe are expected to travel to Utah to take in the game and surrounding All-Star festivities, such as the MLS Soccer Jam that will take place during All-Star Week. Ticket information will be available in the coming months through www.RealSaltLake.com, the official Web site of Real Salt Lake.
