SALT LAKE CITY - Real Salt Lake departed today for its 10-day preseason training stint in Madrid, Spain, hosted by European superclub Real Madrid. RSL arrives in the Spanish capitol Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. local time, kicks off the first of 12 training sessions at Real Madrid City that evening at 6:00 p.m., and plays the first of three/four games on Thursday, March 1, against Madrid-based Segunda Division B club Rayo Vallecano.
On Saturday, March 3, the RSL delegation visits the famed Estadio Santiago Bernabeu for Real Madrid's crucial La Liga contest against Getafe. Madrid currently sits in third place in La Liga, tied with Valencia as both have taken 43 points from 24 games, each sitting six points behind leaders Barcelona.</p>
On the eve of the trip, RSL Head Coach John Ellinger released seven players from the roster, most notably DF Kevin Novak, who was discovered via an open tryout during the team's expansion 2005 season and started 26 games at right back last season. Others released included 2006 reserve players Brian Gil and Chase Harrison; 2007 Supplemental Draft picks Jared Kent and Haddon Kirk; and trialists Jonathan Bramwell and Scott Palguta. </p>
Saturday, Ellinger welcomed the arrival into Salt Lake City of recently re-acquired GK Nick Rimando, who will replace 10-year MLS veteran Scott Garlick as the team's senior roster goalkeeper. Just an hour before Rimando's arrival in Utah, RSL FW Jamie Watson and GK Chris Seitz arrived from Tokyo after two weeks in Japan with the U.S. U-23 National Team. Seitz was named the team's "Man of the Match" for his five-save shutout against the Japan U-22 squad, the same game that saw Watson suffer a separated shoulder in the fifth minute, but remain on the field for another 80 minutes. Watson will travel to Madrid and is expected to only miss one week of full-speed training.</p>
RSL MF Mehdi Ballouchy is the lone member of RSL's current 28-man roster who will not travel to Madrid. Ballouchy, born in Casablanca, Morocco before emigrating to the United States when he was 14, is currently at a stage in his citizenship acquisition process that prohibits him from leaving the United States. Ballouchy will train during the next two weeks with his former Santa Clara University teammates in San Jose, Calif., while RSL is out of the country.</p>
Panamanian FW Luis Tejada, acquired by RSL in December, will join his new RSL teammates for the first time in Madrid, after spending the first three weeks of February helping his native country qualify for this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup.</p>
The winners of the "Jerry Seiner Chevrolet Travel with the Team to Madrid" contest, presented by Columbus Travel. KSL TV 5, along with Sports Radio 700 'The Zone' and NAC, depart for Madrid on Friday. </p>
The package includes air fare and accommodations for two, tickets to the match vs. Getafe, dinner with RSL, and access to RSL training sessions and friendly exhibition matches.
The first winner of the contest is J. Eric Rossi of Farmington, Utah. A proud father of three (ages 18, 12 and 7), Eric will be traveling with his daughter to Madrid. The trip coincides with his 40th birthday, and Eric couldn't think of a better birthday gift.</p>
"When I was informed that I had won, I was so excited I couldn't even breathe", said Rossi. "When Bill (Riley) called, I was on another call, so he was put on hold. My wife was listening to the radio and frantically called me to inform me that he was on hold waiting for me. Needless to say, I clicked over as soon as I could and Bill gave me the news. It was almost surreal; it took a while to sink in. When I realized what had happened, I called everyone I know to share the news."</p>
"My family and I are huge RSL fans; we have only missed two games since the team's inception, so to win this trip, and to be able to be with my daughter in Spain on my 40th birthday, is truly a dream come true. I would like to thank everyone who is involved for this once in a lifetime opportunity."</p>
The second winner of the contest is Cornelia Moore. Cornelia and her husband Garth have three children and eight grand children, and reside in Bountiful, Utah. The Moore's are a true "soccer family" and the sport is deeply entrenched in Cornelia's roots. With so many RSL fans in the family, Grandma Moore has suddenly become the envy of her kids and grandkids.</p>
"All of my children played soccer, and now my grandkids are starting to play. Four of them are on teams now, and they are all jealous that Grandma is going to Spain with RSL. We are an RSL family; we come to as many games as we can during the season."</p>
"I was born next to a soccer field in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and my Father used to mow the lawn of the field when I was just a little girl. Soccer is in my blood, and some of my fondest memories as a child were that of watching games with my Dad on that same field. To have a chance to go to Spain to see European soccer and travel along side the RSL team is so exciting. I can't believe it's real."</p>
The third and final winner of the contest is Sean Yergensen. Sean and his wife Jessica recently had their first wedding anniversary, and they are eagerly looking forward to celebrating in Spain with RSL. Sean also expressed his relief of maintaining his employment, after his boisterous reaction at work when informed of the news.</p>
"My wife and I are huge soccer fans, and having just celebrated out first wedding anniversary, we are excited to continue the celebration in Madrid. I received the call informing me that I had won while I was at work, and I started bouncing of the walls! I let out a huge yell and started hugging all my fellow employees. Based on my reaction, I am lucky to still be employed."</p>
"I can't wait to travel with the team, and see Real Madrid up close. Thanks goes to everyone who made this possible."</p>
JOIN RSL FOR "PICK IT-TICKET-KICK IT" ON MARCH 10TH: Come join RSL players, coaches and staff for the "Pick it-Ticket-Kick it" event on March 10th at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The all-day event will provide fans the opportunity to pick up their season tickets, retrieve autographs from selected RSL players, and participate in "SPEED", an on-field competition testing soccer skills and fundamentals.
Doors will open to the public at 2:00 PM, when fans will have the opportunity to pick up their season tickets, purchase additional tickets at a discounted price, get an up close perspective of the field from their actual seats, and purchase discounted RSL merchandise. Selected concession stands will also be open along the concourse.
From 2:30 - 4:30, RSL's "Autograph Alley" will be in full swing, with featured players Mehdi Ballouchy, Freddy Adu, Jeff Cunningham, Chris Seitz, and Danny Torres signing autographs for all participating RSL fans. It is asked that fans limit their autograph items to one per person. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
"SPEED", an on-field event testing soccer skill and fundamentals sponsored by America First Credit Union, will kick off at 2:00. The event will test players passing, dribbling, and shooting ability. There will be winners selected in both the male and female categories, and both winners will receive an adidas gym bag filled with RSL goodies.
This event also affords the opportunity for any interested parties to try out for a chance to sing the national anthem at an RSL home game! Registration for try outs will begin at 11:00 AM on the west concourse of Rice-Eccles Stadium. Try outs will take place from 11:00 - 2:00, after which five finalists will be selected to sing in front of RSL fans, players, and staff at 3:00. For more information on Anthem tryouts, please contact Jamie Barton at 801-924-8580.
In addition, the annual RSL "Volunteer Orientation" will also take place during this event. The orientation will begin at 5:00 in the VCG, and will conclude at 6:30. For more information on the orientation, please contact Trino Martinez at 801-924-8581.
The Loyalists and the RCB, RSL's two fans clubs, will also be on hand offering fans the chance to join up and experience an RSL game on a whole new level. They both can be found in their respective booths along the west concourse at Rice-Eccles.
MONDAY NIGHT FUTBOL AT RICE-ECCLES: Please make note of the following schedule change: The RSL home game vs. Rocky Mountain Cup Rivals Colorado Rapids has been moved from Saturday, April 28th to Monday, April 30th. Kick off for the game will remain at its normally scheduled 7:00 PM time slot.
"BUILD IT WITH BECKHAM" PACKAGE NOW ON SALE: Don't miss your chance to see David Beckham on Sept. 19th when he rolls into Salt Lake City as a member of the LA Galaxy! The "Build it with Beckham" package also gives you the opportunity to check out two other Real Salt Lake home games. Fans who purchase this package will be able to choose two games out of the following five:
-April 7th v. FC Dallas - RSL 07' Home Opener and Freddy Adu Debut
-June 14th v. FC Dallas - Nationally Televised ESPN Game of the Week
-June 23rd v. D.C. United - 4-Time MLS Cup Champs; Also Former Team of Freddy Adu
-July 4th v. Toronto - Fireworks Show and Inaugural Visit of Expansion Team Toronto FC
-July 21st - Pioneer Day Fireworks Show / International Bonus game (Opponent TBD)
For a limited time, fans purchasing the "Build it with Beckham" package will get an official Real Salt Lake scarf!
Please call 801-924-8585 for more information.
REAL SALT LAKE TO SPONSOR UTAH SOCCER HALL OF FAME DINNER: Real Salt Lake is pleased to announce that the organization has signed on to sponsor the Utah Soccer Hall of Fame Dinner, taking place on Saturday, March 7th at 7:00 PM, and will be held at the Sheraton - City Centre, located at 155 West 500 South, in Salt Lake. The dinner will honor this year's five inductees, who are as follows:
Harold O. Turville (Posthumously), Salt Lake AFC
Fred Doesburg (Posthumously), Hollandia S.C.
Robyn Smith-Bretzing - Orem, UT, Pan World F.C.
Ben VandenHazel - Salt Lake City, UT, Sparta United S.C.
Bill Bosgraaf - Cottonwood Heights, UT, Pan World F.C.
Tickets for this event may be purchased by contacting the Utah Soccer Association at (801) 263-8166 and can be purchased via credit card. Ticket will also be available at the Utah Youth Soccer Association's office. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
