Findley, Seitz & Sturgis Part of 24-Man U.S. Olympic Team Camp
U.S. Under-23 Men's National Team head coach Peter Nowak has named 24 players to participate in the team's final training camp before 2008 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying. The camp will take place in Bradenton, Fla., from March 1-9, before the final 20-player roster travels to Tampa, the location of the first-round games in the qualifying tournament for Group A. Of the 17 Major League Soccer representatives in the camp, Real Salt Lake sends the most to Florida with the trio of FW Robbie Findley, GK Chris Seitz and M/D Nathan Sturgis. The RSL trio also took part in the U-23 squad's last camp in Bradenton that ended earlier this month.
The final 20-player roster may include players not in the Bradenton training camp, and will be announced prior to the team's arrival in Tampa on March 9, two days before the U.S. opens the qualifying tournament against Cuba on March 11 at Raymond James Stadium. The U.S. will then face Panama on March 13 at 8 p.m. ET and Honduras on March 15 at 7 p.m. ET. LP Field in Nashville will host the semifinals on Thursday, March 20, and the championship match and third-place game on Sunday, March 23. The tournament will send its two finalists to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
U.S. Under-23 Men's National Team Roster by Position
(A detailed roster is available at ussoccer.com)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Dominic Cervi (Chicago Fire), Tally Hall (Esbjerg fB), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (8): Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Hunter Freeman (New York Red Bulls), Kamani Hil (Vfl Wolfsburg), Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Mike Randolph (LA Galaxy), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Arturo Alvarez (FC Dallas), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96)
FORWARDS (5): Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), Jozy Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Chad Barrett (Chicago Fire), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake)
RSL Readies for Final Preseason Camp in Rosario, Argentina
After stints in California and Florida, Real Salt Lake is now two days away from kicking off its final camp of the 2008 preseason, a two-week excursion to Rosario, Argentina, that will mark the club's first-ever visit to the South American continent. After a full day of travel to Rosario beginning Friday afternoon, the squad will settle in and begin training on Saturday in preparation for scrimmages against Argentine First Division sides Newell's Old Boys (March 6) and Rosario Central (March 11/12). An updated RSL preseason calendar reflecting the Argentina match schedule is listed below.
Before RSL's departure, the squad will take to the training field one last time on Thursday afternoon, with a session at New Park in Park City from 12:30-2:00 p.m. MT, with media availability for all players and coaches in attendance to follow (directions listed below).
Directions (from SLC) to New Park in Park City:
- Take I-80 East towards
- Exit at UT-224 - Exit 145
- Turn right off the exit, but stay in the left turning lane
- Take first left at the light (near the McDonald's) onto Ute Blvd.
- Follow for about ½ mile - the New Park field house is the big green building on the left
Real Salt Lake 2008 Preseason Schedule
Thursday, Feb. 28: Training at New Park fieldhouse in Park City - 12:30-2:30 p.m. MT (media availability to follow)
Feb. 29-March 13: Preseason Trip #3 to Rosario, Argentina
- Thursday, March 6: Scrimmages (first-team and reserves) v. Newell's Old Boys - 10:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. local
- Tuesday, March 11: Scrimmage (reserves) v. Rosario Central - Time TBD<br>
- Wednesday, March 12: Scrimmage (first-team) v. Rosario Central - 10:00 a.m. local</i></p>
March 14-21: Training schedule TBA
March 22: 2008 Saturn Challenge Cup - RSL v. K.C. Wizards in Norman, Okla. - 5:00 p.m. MT
March 24: Kick-Off Cup - RSL v. Lobos PFC at Skyline H.S. in Salt Lake City - 7:00 p.m. MT
March 29: MLS First Kick 2008 - RSL v. Chicago Fire at Rice-Eccles Stadium - 4:00 p.m. MT
Real Salt Lake Featured on Champions Soccer Radio Network
During Real Salt Lake's busy camp in South Florida across the last two weeks, Champions Soccer Radio Network's "American Soccer Show" was able to catch up with a slew of RSL players and coaches to gather their thoughts on the progression of the preseason and the upcoming 2008 campaign. Archives of last Tuesday's "American Soccer Show" interviews, RSL's spotlight article on the "U.S. Soccer Spot" blog, and a link to catch more interviews on next Tuesday's edition of the "American Soccer Show", can all be found at www.csrnusa.com. In addition, RSL head coach Jason Kreis will join CSRN's "The 2 G's" show live on Thursday morning at 11:00 a.m. MT to catch up on the team's busy offseason.
RSL to Host Royal Club Kick-off Event Saturday at Salt Palace Convention Center
Real Salt Lake's fourth season of play in Major League Soccer is just over one month away, and Utah's MLS side invites its loyal season ticket holders to get a jump start on the new campaign by attending the Royal Club Season Kick-Off event this Saturday, March 1, from 12:00-4:00 p.m. MT at the Salt Palace Convention Center (Exhibition Room 4). Saturday's event will give Royal Club Members the first opportunity to pick up their season tickets and exclusive 2008 Royal Club t-shirt, in addition to providing activities for soccer fans of all ages. RSL staff will be on hand with free food and refreshments, while attendees can keep busy by participating in interactive games, including a chance to show off their futsal skills against fellow RSL fans.
Exhibition Room 4 in the Salt Palace is located between 150 South and South Temple and between 200 and 300 West on the lower level. The Royal Club Kick-off event will be located towards the rear of Exhibition Room 4, which can be accessed via the entrance off of 200 West and South Temple (next to the Radisson). A parking lot is available on 300 West between North and South Temple, and street parking on 100 South and/or South Temple will also be available. Visit www.Score-Goal.com and click on the "Facilities" link for directions. To learn more information on the Royal Club Kick-off Event or how to become a Royal Club member, please call the RSL offices at 801-924-8585.
Individual Game Tickets, Mini-Flex Plans for RSL's 2008 Campaign Now on Sale
The wait is finally over, as single-game tickets for any of Real Salt Lake's 15 home MLS contests during the upcoming 2008 season are now available for purchase. Tickets for individual games for the 2008 season will remain the same as last season, with prices ranging from $17 (North Goal) to $40 (west side VIP).
In addition, Real Salt Lake has also announced the introduction of a new Mini-Flex Plan for the 2008 season, which will consist of one ticket to four fixed dates - D.C. United (April 12), LA Galaxy (May 3), San Jose Earthquakes (June 18), and Toronto FC (July 28) - and allow for the buyer to add up to four of the other RSL regular season games for the same per-game rate (option only available at time of purchase). The RSL Mini-Flex Plan will be offered at two pricing levels - $55 per package for North Goal (bleacher seats) section tickets and $85 per package for Premium (chair-back / midfield seat) section tickets.
2008 RSL Royal Club memberships, single-game tickets and Mini-Flex Plans are available for purchase by calling the RSL Ticket Office at 801-924-8585, visiting the RSL Front Office in the Trolley Corners building in Salt Lake City (515 S. 700 East, Suite #2R), or going online to www.RealSaltLake.com, and clicking on the "TICKETS" link. To see Real Salt Lake's full 2008 regular season schedule, click on the "SCHEDULE" link at the official online home of RSL, www.RealSaltLake.com.
RSL Around the Town: Feb. 28-March 3
With the Real Salt Lake roster and coaching staff away in Argentina beginning on Friday, the team's popular mascot, Leo the Lion, will pick up the slack by making several appearances across the Salt Lake Valley on behalf of the club.
Who: RSL mascot Leo the Lion
What: Utah Youth Soccer Association Annual General Meeting
When: Saturday, March 1 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. MT
Where: Juan Diego High School; 300 E. 11800 South in Draper
Who: RSL mascot Leo the Lion
What: RSL Royal Club Season Kick-off Event
When: Saturday, March 1 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. MT
Where: Salt Palace Convention Center (Exhibition Hall #4); 100 S. West Temple in Salt Lake City
Who: RSL mascot Leo the Lion
What: Dr. Seuss Birthday Book Reading
When: Monday, March 3 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. MT
Where: Monte Vista Elementary School; 11121 S. 2700 West in South Jordan
Who: RSL mascot Leo the Lion
What: Literacy Week school assembly
When: Monday, March 3 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. MT
Where: Cherry Creek Elementary School; 484 S. 200 East in Springville
