Chris Seitz & Robbie Findley Help U.S. Under-23s to Pair of Draws in China
Two members of Real Salt Lake's youth movement - FW Robbie Findley and GK Chris Seitz - concluded a two-week camp with the United States Under-23 Men's National Team over the weekend, which was capped off Sunday evening with a 3-3 draw against the Chinese U-23 National Team at Yue Xiu Shan Stadium in Guangzhou, China. Seitz had collected his third straight half of shutout soccer on the USA's two-game tour of China after keeping the home side off the board in the first half, but three unanswered Chinese goals after the half resulted in the second draw between the two sides during the USA's trip to the host country of next summer's 2008 Olympic Games. Findley played the first half of Sunday's match and helped the U.S. U-23s expand an early lead in the 32nd minute, when his through ball down the right flank for fellow forward Charlie Davies was finished by the Swedish-based striker to give the USA a 3-0 advantage at the time.
Seitz and Findley would also participate in the USA's first match of the trip last Thursday, a 0-0 stalemate against the Chinese U-23s at the Changsha He Long Sports Centre in Changsha. Seitz would make five saves en route to a clean sheet for the U.S. squad, while Findley entered the match as a late-game substitute, playing the final 22 minutes in place of Jozy Altidore. A third Real Salt Lake player, D/M Nathan Sturgis, was looking to join Seitz and Findley on the U.S. U-23 roster for the trip, but a minor calf injury suffered during the team's weeklong training camp at The Home Depot Center kept the Clemson University product from traveling abroad. For more coverage of the U.S. U-23 team's Asian excursion, visit the official home of U.S. Soccer, www.ussoccer.com, or the U.S. U-23 MNT blog chronicling the trip, including post-game quotes from Seitz and video highlights of Sunday's thrilling 3-3 draw.
The recently completed two-week camp and exhibition trip was the first gathering of the U-23 MNT since new Head Coach Peter Nowak took the reins in August, and served as the first major camp in preparation for the final round action of the 2008 CONCACAF Men's Under-23 Championship to be held from March 11-23, 2008, in Los Angeles, Tampa and Nashville. The eight-team tournament will send the two finalists to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. As hosts, the U.S. Under-23 Men's National Team will be based in Tampa during the group stage of the tournament, but won't learn its opponents until the draw is held tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 18, at the CONCACAF headquarters in New York City. Along with the U.S., Canada, Cuba, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico and Panama will be drawn into two groups as they vie for two Olympic berths.
GM Garth Lagerwey & Head Coach Jason Kreis to Host Online Chat Wednesday
The top two rungs of the Real Salt Lake technical staff - General Manager Garth Lagerwey and Head Coach Jason Kreis - have kept busy during the offseason thus far, but the duo will take a break this Wednesday, Dec. 18, to conduct at online chat with fans at www.RSLstadium.com, beginning at 2:00 p.m. MT. Lagerwey and Kreis will team up to answer any and all questions thrown their way during the live, 60-minute chat, with topics likely to include the team's offseason scouting trips, thoughts on the upcoming MLS SuperDraft, and, of course, their impressions of the club's soon-to-be home in Sandy. Fans that can't make the chat from 2:00-3:00 pm this Wednesday at www.RSLstadium.com can send in their questions for Lagerwey and Kreis at any time prior to the chat via email to rslcommunications@RealSaltLake.com.
RSL and Leo's Pride Hosting Donation Drive to Benefit The Salt Lake Christmas Box House
Real Salt Lake and Leo's Pride, RSL's charitable partner, have announced a partnership with The Salt Lake Christmas Box House for the local charity's holiday donation drive. RSL and Leo's Pride will be collecting new items - including children's clothing, toys, and toiletries - on behalf of The Christmas Box House through this Friday, Dec. 21, at four locations throughout the Wasatch Front: the RSL main offices at Trolley Corners in Salt Lake City (515 South 700 East, Suite 2R) and at all three Real Sports locations: Fashion Place Mall, Valley Fair Mall, and Provo Towne Center (address listed below).
Dedicated in September of 2000, The Salt Lake Christmas Box House provides temporary shelter and assessment services to children up to the age of eleven who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. The Christmas Box International accepts donations to provide for the everyday needs of these children. For further information regarding The Salt Lake Christmas Box House, and the items of greatest need this holiday season, please visit http://www.thechristmasboxhouse.org or www.RealSaltLake.com.
Give the Gift of Real Salt Lake this Holiday Season via Real Sports' Three Locales
Stumped on the perfect gift for your loved ones this holiday season? Real Salt Lake has you covered no matter where you are, as a wide array of officially-licensed Real Salt Lake and other adidas merchandise and apparel is now available at Real Sports' three merchandise kiosks spread throughout the Wasatch Front:
Real Sports at Fashion Place Mall
6191 S. State St. in Murray, UT
801-281-1920
Real Sports at Valley Fair Mall
3601 South 2700 West in West Valley City, UT
801-955-KICK
Real Sports at Provo Towne Center
1200 Towne Centre Blvd. in Provo, UT
Throughout the holidays, shoppers can take advantage of Real Sports' "50-50 Special," which gives customers that spend $50 or more at the kiosks 50% off any additional items. For more information on the Real Sports kiosks throughout the area, please call 801-924-8572.
RSL Royal Gift Pack is the Gift that Keeps on Giving into 2008!
If visiting the mall is not your ideal way of shopping during the holidays, Real Salt Lake is also offering a limited-time offer to catch next year's biggest games through the RSL Royal Gift Pack. The perfect stocking stuffer for the soccer fan in your life, the RSL Royal Gift Pack includes two tickets to three of RSL's most-anticipated games next season - the 2008 Home Opener vs. the Chicago Fire on March 29, the return of Real Madrid to Salt Lake City, and the annual July 4th contest - in addition to four tickets to any other RSL regular season contest and two RSL scarves to help keep your favorite RSL fans warm until the '08 season kicks off. The RSL Royal Gift Pack is available in two prices ranges - $199 for Corner Kick seats ($260 value) and $399 for VIP section seats ($540 value). For more information on the RSL Royal Gift Pack, including how to order yours in time for the holidays, please call 801-924-8585 or visit the "TICKETS" section of www.RealSaltLake.com.
