SALT LAKE CITY - Real Salt Lake has announced the finalized schedule for its Third Annual "Real Week", a weeklong celebration leading into the club's third season in Major League Soccer. "Real Week" kicks into gear next Monday, April 2, with the Third Annual RSL Kickoff Luncheon and Fashion Show and concludes on Saturday, April 7, when Real takes to the field for its first-ever MLS season opener at Rice-Eccles Stadium against FC Dallas at 4:00 p.m. MT. The following is a full rundown of the daily activities taking place during this year's "Real Week":
Monday, April 2: Third Annual RSL Kickoff Luncheon and Fashion Show
The Third Annual Kickoff Luncheon and Fashion Show, benefiting United Way of Salt Lake, is the community's official introduction to the RSL squad of 2007. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. MT with a reception and silent auction and will continue at noon with the luncheon program that will feature a fashion show and remarks from the day's keynote speaker former Utah Jazz Head Coach/GM Frank Layden, and other selected speakers. The fashion show will feature 2007 team members and their families in styles from Dillard's, 10, Cherrella, Lucky Pirate Denim Bar, Bastille, Calle, RSL, and more.
Tables for the RSL Kickoff Luncheon can be purchased at two price ranges: $600, which allows for nine individuals to sit with an RSL player or coach; or $1,000, which allows attendees to sit with a player or coach of their choice based on order of reservation. Individual tickets are also available for $65 per person. All guests will receive a complimentary ticket voucher good for any 2007 RSL home contest and a chance to place bids at the silent auction, which will feature a Real Madrid captain signed jersey and RSL and MLS memorabilia and experiences, including a "Travel with the Team" package that includes two round-trip tickets on JetBlue to New York City and two game tickets to see RSL take on the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium on Sept. 29. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent under the law.
Tuesday, April 3: KFC Autograph Alley
Real Salt Lake and KFC invite fans to join RSL players at the KFC Autograph Alley across the Salt Lake Valley on Tuesday, April 3, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. MT. Fans can grab lunch and player autographs at the following locations:
KALL AM-700 "The Zone" personality Bill Riley will also host a live broadcast of "The Bill Riley Show" from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the 3900 S. State location.
Wednesday, April 4: SLC Premiere of Real Madrid's 2006 U.S. Tour Documentary
Real Salt Lake is excited to host the exclusive Salt Lake City premiere of Real Madrid's documentary depicting the Spanish superclub's visit to the United States last summer, which included RSL's exhibition contest against the "Galacticos" at Rice-Eccles Stadium on August 12, 2006. A limited number of tickets are available for this red carpet event that will take place at the Trolley Square Regency Theatre, located at 602 E. 500 South in Salt Lake City. Tickets for the premiere are $5 and all proceeds will benefit the families of the Trolley Square victims, inspired by Vanessa Quinn, an RSL season ticket holder. Real Salt Lake players and coaches and their families will start the evening at 6:00 p.m. MT by helping Head Coach John Ellinger kick off the 2007 season of the "RSL Coaches Show" on KALL AM-700 "The Zone" at 6:00 p.m. MT, which will take place at the Jerry Seiner Downtown Salt Lake GM Dealership at 1530 S. 500 West. RSL players and staff will then arrive at Trolley Square in style around 6:40 p.m. in new cars from Jerry Seiner before walking the red carpet for photos, interviews, and autographs and taking their seats when the lights dim for the start of the documentary at 7:00 p.m. For more information on how to purchase tickets for this unique premiere event, please contact Teresa Nelson at 801-924-8565 or tnelson@RealSaltLake.com.
Thursday, April 5: Grand Opening of Real Sports at Fashion Place Mall
Real Salt Lake is pleased to announce the opening of Real Sports, a new merchandise kiosk in the Fashion Place Mall, located at 6191 S. State Street in Murray. Beginning at 12:00 p.m. MT, fans will be able to purchase and order officially licensed RSL apparel and merchandise and special ticket packages at the new location. "The Zone's" Bill Riley will help usher in the new store with a live remote of "The Bill Riley Show" from 1:00-4:00 p.m., while M/F Duke Hashimoto (4:00-5:00 P.M.), M/F Jamie Watson (5:00-6:00), and MF Mehdi Ballouchy (6:00-7:00 p.m.) will be on hand to sign autographs for fans.
As an incentive to drop by the new kiosk, from April 5-7 fans will be able to take advantage of a special Opening day package available only at Real Sports. The "Real Deal" ticket and merchandise package includes one voucher for a seat in the North Goal section at Rice-Eccles Stadium for RSL's April 7 opener against FC Dallas and a Real Salt Lake scarf for just $25 - a savings of $15 off the retail price.
Friday, April 6: First Annual RSL-CALLE 4v4 Street Soccer Tournament / RSL Fans & Friends Barbeque
CALLE and Real Salt Lake have joined together to host the First Annual 4v4 Street Soccer Tournament, to be held on the field at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Registration for the tournament will begin at 8:30 a.m. MT, with the first set of games kicking off at 9:00 a.m. Teams entering the tourney will receive a CALLE Primero soccer ball, six tickets to the following day's RSL season opener vs. FC Dallas, tons of free giveaways, and a chance to mingle with RSL players. Teams of 4-6 players can enter the tournament for a $150 entry fee. Brackets will fill quickly, so teams are encouraged to register soon by filling out an online form at www.tournament.callesoccer.com or downloading a registration form at www.RealSaltLake.com and returning the completed form to the Real Salt Lake front office, located at 515 S. 700 East, Suite #2R in Salt Lake City. Registration must be completed by Wednesday, April 4, at 5:00 p.m. MT. All proceeds from the 4v4 Street Soccer Tournament will go to RSL's community outreach program, "Kicks for Kids". For more information on the RSL-CALLE 4v4 Street Soccer Tournament, please email morgan@callesoccer.com.
Real Salt Lake invites all fans to participate in a pre-game walk through on Friday, April 6, from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. MT at Rice-Eccles Stadium during the team's final practice before it takes on FC Dallas the following day. The walk through will be followed by the RSL Fans & Friends Barbeque that will be held at Carnival Real, located in the Olympic Cauldron Park on the south end of Rice-Eccles. Fans will have the opportunity to mingle with RSL players, coaches, and front office staff while enjoying food provided by Famous Dave's BBQ and dessert from Dreyer's Ice Cream.
Saturday, April 7 at 4:00 p.m. MT: 2007 Season Opener vs. FC Dallas
"Real Week" concludes in grand fashion on Saturday, April 7, when Real Salt Lake opens its third season as part of MLS First Kick 2007 with a Western Conference showdown against FC Dallas at Rice-Eccles Stadium at 4:00 p.m. MT. The fun at RSL's first-ever MLS season opener at Rice-Eccles begins at 2:00 p.m., when gates to the stadium and Carnival Real - RSL's interactive fan zone featuring inflatable games for the kids, loads of sponsor booths with giveaways and food, and information on how to join Real Salt Lake's supporters groups - open to the public. The first 5,000 fans through the Rice-Eccles gates on April 7 will receive a coupon for free fries and a drink at any Carl's Jr. location, courtesy of Carl's Jr. Restaurants. In addition, Real Salt Lake will introduce the first "Item of the Game" on April 7, when fans will be able to keep warm in case Mother Nature fails to cooperate by purchasing an RSL tapestry blanket for only $35.
