Real Madrid was in town. David Beckham conducted a clinic and signed just about every autograph that was requested. Fabio Cannavaro, voted the second best player in the World Cup, was here and played. And finally a stadium deal got done.
Seriously, was that not the best week ever in RSL history? If you weren't a fan before, you sure should be now. I was privileged to have been able to come to Salt Lake City this weekend to be a part of the festivities, and to have called the game against Real Madrid.
The training session Friday morning was fabulous to witness. There was nothing very demanding being done, but the players had a very professional approach and were very serious and focused. They set a great example for young players watching, and even some of the young RSL players. When you watch Real Madrid train, you can see that the talent is not the only reason why they are a part of one of the world's best teams.
The fanfare surrounding Real Madrid was great to see - front page of the entire newspaper, not just the sports page! That was wonderful to see. In a country where soccer is often overlooked, Real Madrid was the only thing in town last week.
The team was extremely gracious in fulfilling all that was requested of them, and even going over and above the call of duty. They went everywhere as a team and made several appearances, all with a casual, welcoming smile. On a team full of legitimate superstar players, the player that garnered the most attention is, of course, Beckham.
Beckham was treated like a rock star by the people of Salt Lake City, as he was bombarded with autograph and picture requests. He never looked bothered and just as pleasantly as possible went about his business of giving the fans what they wanted. He is truly a tremendous amabassador of the world's game. He handled the adulation with a calm and down-to-earth demeanor that certainly suggests that he has been in the spotlight a bit in his career. But it is worth noting that not everyone who is in the spotlight continuously handles it nearly as well as he does.
The rest of the team was tremendous as well. Whether they were being dragged to various appearances or they found themselves waiting for Beckham to get finished with his throng of adoring fans, the other players of Real Madrid also never looked bothered. I think it was Ruud van Nistelrooy who said that the players know that they have a responsibility to sell the game, and the team, worldwide. It just comes with being a part of the most famous team in the world. So they get it and they live it willingly, and even pleasantly.
Aside from all that surrounded the game, and its fantastic players , RSL is going to have a new stadium! The announcement was welcomed by ecstatic players, fans and politicians and business people alike. The ceremony on Saturday, where the announcement was made, was a wonderful affair that Real Madrid was even gracious enough to attend. They, along with RSL, had a complete turnout, and posed for pictures with the shovels that would later be used as the groundbreaking tools. The location in Sandy, and the plans that are in place for the stadium and the surrounding areas, are going to be key reasons why this is going to be a great place to watch soccer. The fans of RSL are going to be in for a real treat!
With the touch-and-go situation that existed regarding whether the stadium would even be a possibility, the news on Saturday was received with relief as much as joy. It will be a great situation for all involved. That, along with one of the best and most storied clubs in history coming to town, made for the most exciting week in the history of Salt Lake City soccer. It was exciting to be there and I, for one, certainly hope to see an ever-evolving relationship between RSL and Real Madrid. Being attached to them can only be a good thing for RSL and the people of Salt Lake City.
Robin Fraser, a five-time MLS Best XI selection and two-time MLS Defender of the Year, ended his 10-year MLS career and 16-year professional career last October, and now begins his first season with RSL as the team's color television analyst. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Fraser amassed 27 caps for the U.S. National Team and was drafted fourth overall by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the inaugural MLS draft.
Comments? E-mail Robin and the entire RSL broadcast crew at fun@realsaltlake.com, and your e-mail could be featured in the Computech "Fan Feedback" feature on all RSL on KSL and FSN Utah broadcasts, as well as on KALL 700 AM.
