Real Salt Lake adds multiple players to roster

SALT LAKE CITY - Real Salt Lake today announced the signing of United Soccer League (USL) Seattle Sounders MF Leighton O'Brien and 2005 MLS Combine MVP MF Luke Kreamalmeyer to the senior roster. In addition, RSL announced the signing of GK Jay Nolly, GK Noah Palmer, DF Michael Lookingland, MF Kevin Novak, MF Kenny Cutler, MF Nikolas Besagno, and FW Jamie Watson.

"Leighton has been an impact player at multiple levels; we think he is poised to play a significant role in Real Salt Lake's midfield in 2005 and beyond. We are excited to have him back in MLS," said RSL General Manager Steve Pastorino.

The 29-year old was in his final year of a three-year deal with the Sounders before signing with RSL. In 2002, O'Brien earned A-League MVP and assist honors when he tallied 13 goals and 11 assists in 27 games with the Sounders. He competed in three matches for Seattle in 2003 before he was loaned to Bodens BK of the Swedish Supperettna for two seasons, where he played alongside current RSL DF Brian Dunseth during the 2004 season.

The Tacoma, Washington native, who was born in Ireland and played his college ball at University of San Diego, missed a majority of the 2004 season with Boden BK due to a nagging groan injury and reported to RSL camp in February with no lingering effects. O'Brien is making his second stint in the MLS after being drafted by the New England Revolution as the 25th pick in the third round of 1999 MLS College Draft.

"He's an experienced professional and I have worked with him in the past with the U.S. National B Team," said RSL Head Coach John Ellinger. "Defensively and offensively he is always in the right position. Getting Leighton O'Brien is something that we weren't quite sure was going to happen. He'll definitely play a big role on the team this year either starting or coming off the bench."

The 22-year old Kreamalmeyer was unknown until his performance at the adidas Player Combine held in Carson, Calif., in January. Throughout preseason training, the Edwardsville, Ill., native made has made his mark, which resulted in Ellinger's offering him a senior roster spot. RSL used its fourth-round selection in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft to take Bradley midfielder Kreamalmeyer, the MVP of the Combine.

On another note, RSL also announced today it will play an exhibition game against the Seattle Sounders at Qwest Field in Seattle, Wash. on Wednesday, May 11 at 8:00 p.m. MT. RSL will announce a series of "friendly" games in the coming months - both in Utah and outside of the state.

"Real Salt Lake is excited to make the trip to Seattle in May to take on one of the most storied names in American soccer - the Sounders," Pastorino said. "It will represent our first game against a United Soccer Leagues 1st Division opponent, and we look forward to a spirited battle."

ROJAS PREPARING WITH T&T FOR THIRD WCQ AGAINST COSTA RICA: RSL DF/MF Marlon Rojas is with the Trinidadian National Team in Port of Spain, Trinidad in preparations for its third World Cup Qualifying game against Costa Rica at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday, March 30 at 1:30 p.m. MT. Trinidad recently fell 5-1 to Guatemala at the Mateo Flores Stadium in Guatemala City on Saturday, March 26. Rojas has become a regular on the Trinidadian National Team, making a valuable contribution to the senior team's effort to advance to Germany 2006 with five first and second round appearances, including a solid effort versus the U.S. last month. The Arima, Trinidad native will suit up for the national again on Wednesday, March 30 when Trinidad plays Costa Rica at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago at 1:30 p.m. MT.

RSL ON KSL FIVE TIMES IN 2005: Real Salt Lake's first-ever game will be broadcast regionally on KSL 5 TV Saturday night from Giants Stadium. With a 30-minute season preview pre-game show kicking off at 6:30 p.m. MT, the two-hour game telecast is the first of five games committed to KSL 5 TV during Real Salt Lake's inaugural season. The complete RSL on KSL 5 TV schedule for 2005 follows:

SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE: Real Salt Lake single-game tickets for its inaugural 2005 season at Rice-Eccles Stadium went on sale Saturday both online and at the University of Utah Ticket Office, located at the Stadium's south end. Individual game prices are $14 for north goal, $18 for corner flag, $25 for premier east and $32 for VIP west. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Utah Ticket Office at 451 South 1400 East, by logging onto www.utahtickets.com or by contacting the Ticket Office at (801) 581-UTIX.

Real Salt Lake season ticket packages for the inaugural 2005 season at Rice-Eccles Stadium are now on sale. The RSL 2005 season ticket package features 21 games, including all 16 MLS regular season games, four special bonus games and the highly-anticipated U.S.-Costa Rica World Cup Qualifier on June 4. Real Salt Lake's season ticket pricing consist of Youth (15 and younger) and Adult in four price levels. Prices for the 2005 season ticket packages are $200 adult ($180 youth) for the North Goal, $300 adult ($240 youth) for the Corner Flag, $400 ($320 youth) for East Sideline and $500 ($400 youth) for VIP seats. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the RSL Ticket Office at 515 South 700 East, #2R, SLC, UT 84102, by logging onto www.RealSaltLake.com or by contacting the Real Salt Lake Ticket Office at (866) 9-SOCCER.