SALT LAKE CITY --
Real Salt Lake is proud to announce the schedule for the team's fourth annual "Real Week," a full week of events throughout the Salt Lake Valley leading up to the team's 2008 season opener next Saturday, March 29, at Rice-Eccles Stadium against the Chicago Fire. This year's full slate of events will start on Monday, March 24, with the "Kickoff Cup" exhibition match against Lobos PFC at Skyline High School and will be highlighted by the Fourth Annual Real Salt Lake Kickoff Charity Luncheon, benefitting Operation Kids, which will be held next Tuesday, March 25, at The Depot.
A detailed, day-by-day itinerary of Real Week 2008 is listed below. Fans with any questions regarding any of the Real Week 2008 events are asked to call the Real Salt Lake office at 801-924-8585.
Monday, March 24
First Annual RSL "Kickoff Cup" v. Lobos PFC
Real Week kicks off next Monday with the first installment of the "Kickoff Cup," an exhibition contest between the Real Salt Lake reserves and Ogden-based club Lobos PFC. The Kickoff Cup clash will take place at Skyline High School, located at 3251 E. 3760 South in Salt Lake City, with game time set for 7:00 p.m. MT. Admission to the match is free of charge, allowing all fans a sneak peek at some of Real Salt Lake's new additions for the 2008 campaign.
Tuesday, March 25
Fourth Annual Real Salt Lake Kickoff Charity Luncheon
Real Salt Lake invites its fans to what is becoming a yearly tradition, the Fourth Annual Real Salt Lake Kickoff Charity Luncheon, being held this year at The Depot, located in Salt Lake's historic Union Pacific Station at 400 W. South Temple. The event kicks off at 11:30 a.m. MT with a reception and silent auction, with the luncheon program following at 12:00 p.m. Real Salt Lake is proud to announce that its charitable partner for this year's event is Operation Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting a safe and healthy lifestyle for children in our global community.
All proceeds from tickets sales to this year's Kickoff Luncheon will go directly to Operation Kids for distribution to a carefully selected group of charities aimed at serving the diverse needs of children worldwide, through education, health, safety and well-being. As part of Operation Kids' participation in this year's Kickoff Luncheon, the program will be highlighted with a keynote address from former Major League Baseball star and Alpine, Utah, native Dale Murphy, who has donated much of his time and effort since his playing days to the Operation Kids cause.
The event will include lunch with a player or coach and a Real Salt Lake ticket voucher good for any of RSL's 15 MLS regular season contests. Tickets are $65 for an individual, $500 for a table (8 guests and 8 ticket vouchers) and $1000 for a VIP table (8 guests, 8 ticket vouchers and your choice of RSL player.) For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact Morgan Bramble at 801-924-8574 or mbramble@RealSaltLake.com, by the close of business on Friday, March 21.
RSL Coaches Show on KALL 700 Sports
One and all are invited to join RSL Head Coach Jason Kreis; the voice of RSL, Bill Riley; a pair of RSL players (TBA), and fellow RSL fans for the 2008 debut of the "RSL Coaches Show" on KALL 700 Sports next Tuesday from 6:00-7:00 p.m. MT. The season debut of the RSL Coaches Show will take place from the RSL Stadium site in Sandy, located at 9256 S. State Street, where fans can direct their questions to coach Kreis and learn all about the future home of Real Salt Lake.
Wednesday, March 26
"Show Your Colors" at The Gateway
Real Salt Lake fans, sport your Blue, Red, & Gold at The Gateway shopping complex in downtown Salt Lake City next Wednesday and you might just come away with a ticket to opening day on Saturday! Ten "spies" from the RSL Front Office will be roaming The Gateway from 12:00-1:00 p.m. next Wednesday, and anyone they see donning any piece of RSL gear will be handed a free ticket voucher to the squad's season opener against the Chicago Fire on Saturday.
KFC Autograph Sessions
Skip lunch in the office or bring the family down for dinner next Wednesday, when fans can join RSL players at a pair of Salt Lake area KFC locations for autographs, a live radio remote, and a good meal! MF Kyle Beckerman, FW Robbie Findley, and GK Nick Rimando will stop by the 3900 S. State Street KFC location from 1:15-3:15 p.m. MT, which will coincide with KALL 700 Sports' live remote of "Reality Check" with hosts Spencer Checketts and Frank Dolce. Afterwards, fans can hop on over to the KFC location at 2450 S. Redwood Road from 4:00-6:00 p.m. to snag even more signatures from RSL's South American quintet of MF Matias Cordoba, FW Fabian Espíndola, DF Matias Mantilla, MF Javier Morales, and DF Jamison Olave.
Heart 2 Home Unveiling
A quartet of RSL defenders - Tony Beltran, David Horst, Ian Joy, and Chris Wingert - in addition to RSL mascot Leo the Lion will be on hand to present gifts to the Groves family of Taylorsville as they prepare to move into their new home currently being constructed by Utah's Heart 2 Home Foundation and their multitude of volunteers. RSL fans and the entire community are invited to attend the event and show their civic support at the unveiling event, taking place at 5:00 p.m. MT on the 4900 South block of 2475 West in Taylorsville.
Thursday, March 27
"Movie Night" at Jordan Commons
Soccer and movie aficionados alike are invited to attend a movie screening at the Jordan Commons Megaplex theatres, located at 9400 S. State Street in Sandy, beginning at 7:00 p.m. MT. Real Salt Lake is still solidifying the film selection for that night's screening, but fans are invited to visit the team's official blog at www.RSLtotheCore.com in the upcoming days for the announcement of that evening's title. The event is free of charge, but seating is limited to a first-come, first-served basis.
Friday, March 28
Team Practice & Fan BBQ
Come for the team and stay for the food next Friday, as RSL presents its second annual Fan BBQ at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Fans can attend the squad's open practice at Rice-Eccles beginning at 11:30 a.m. MT, and then stick around to enjoy some Famous Dave's BBQ and mingle with RSL players, coaches and front office staff beginning around 12:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
RSL Supporters Group Pre-Game Tailgate Party
Get ready for First Kick 2008 by joining RSL supporters at their Pre-game Tailgate Party in the West Parking Lot at Rice-Eccles Stadium from 2:00-4:00 p.m. MT. While some food and refreshments will be provided, you just never know who - or how many - may show up, so fans are encouraged to bring their tailgating materials and join in on the fun leading up to kick-off.
First Kick 2008 - RSL v. Chicago Fire
Real Week will culminate at Rice-Eccles Stadium next Saturday at 4:00 p.m. MT, when Real Salt Lake's revamped side will take to the field for its 2008 MLS season opener against the dynamic Cuauhtémoc Blanco and the Chicago Fire. The Fire fans will come out of the woodwork to make Rice-Eccles Stadium their own, so RSL urges all its supporters to come out and pack the stands in Blue, Red, & Gold for the start of RSL's final season at its University of Utah home.
