Real Salt Lake and Lobos PFC of the Liga Primera de Ogden today announced a partnership between the two organizations that will assist Utah's MLS side as it heads into the squad's fourth season of play in 2008. The two sides will finalize the agreement this evening at 5:00 p.m. MT with a signing ceremony at the Real Salt Lake offices prior to the team's viewing party for the highly-anticipated United States v. Mexico international friendly.
With today's agreement, Real Salt Lake has announced the squad will take part in the "First Annual Kick Off Cup" against Lobos PFC on Monday, March 24, which will take place at Skyline High School in Salt Lake City (3251 E 3760 South), with kick-off slated for 7:00 p.m. MT. This special contest, which will serve as Real Salt Lake's final preseason exhibition match and help RSL commence its annual "Real Week" festivities, will be free and open to the public.
"A match against local opposition is an outstanding way to kick off 'Real Week' on the right foot while also introducing our fans to some of our team's young talent for 2008," said RSL General Manager Garth Lagerwey. "We would like to thank Lobos PFC and the Liga Primera de Ogden for their cooperation, as we hope partnerships such as this one will further our efforts in building a strong and sincere connection to the Hispanic community across the Wasatch Front."
Also as part of the partnership, Lobos PFC will assist RSL's efforts to sell-out the MLS side's 2008 season opener at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, March 29, against Cuauhtémoc Blanco and the Chicago Fire. As a part of a fund-raising effort for the Ogden-based club, Lobos PFC will be selling discounted tickets - $15 North Goal seats and $25 Premium section seats - to members of the Liga Primera de Ogden in the weeks leading up to RSL's opening day contest.
"It's a wonderful opportunity for a team like Lobos to expose our talent and passion against a team at the level of Real Salt Lake," said Lobos PFC General Manager Miguel Hernandez. "We hope to become the pioneers of a tradition that will stay within the Hispanic community in Utah for years to come, as more of the community identifies themselves with our local team, Real Salt Lake."
