SALT LAKE CITY - Real Salt Lake is pleased to announce the addition of Morelia, a perennial contender in the Mexican League First Division, to the 2006 home schedule. The "friendly" is scheduled for Wednesday, July 19, with first kick taking place at 7:00 MT at Rice-Eccles Stadium; Carnival Real opens at 6:00.
As an added attraction for season ticket holders and RSL fans, Lobos PFC of the Liga Premier de Ogden amateur league will participate in a pre-game match beginning at 4:30 p.m. For more information on the pre-game and group tickets fans can call 801-668-2594.
About Morelia: Club Atlético Monarcas Morelia, also known as Monarcas Morelia or simply Monarcas, is a Mexican professional football club. Monarcas Morelia plays in the Primera División de México. The team is owned by the TV broadcasting company TV Azteca who purchased the team in 1996. Monarcas Morelia is based in Morelia, Michoacán, and plays its home games in Estadio Morelos.
The Monarcas ascended into the first division in 1981. They won the Apertura 2000 Championship after beating Toluca. Monarcas also made it to the final during the Apertura 2002 and Clausura 2003 against Toluca and Monterrey respectively. Monarcas failed to win both championships. Morelia has also been the first place team in league play, known as Superlider, during the Clausura 2003 season, in which they lost in the final to Monterey, and the Clausura 2005 season, when they reached the semifinals. They are ranked sixth in Mexico over the past two years and are lead by their Vice President of Sport, former Mexican National Team star Luis Garcia. Former MLS players who have played for Morelia include Ariel Graziani (Dallas, New England, San Jose) and Damian Alvarez (Dallas, New England).
HEAD COACH HUGO HERNANDEZ: Morelia is managed by Hugo Hernández, who took the position this season after a stint as an assistant coach under Ricardo Ferretti in Pumas. Prior to that, Hernandez was actually an assistant with Morelia, also under Ferretti. Hernandez is best known for his time as the head coach of Monterrey from 1992-1995, during which he won the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 1993.
Full Name: Club Atlético Monarcas Morelia
Nickname: Monarcas (Monarchs)
Founded: 1947
Stadium: Estadio Morelos
Morelia, Michoacán, México
Capacity: 41,500
Manager/Coach: Hugo Hernández (introduced July 6, 2006)
League: Primera División de México
Clausura 2006: Quarterfinals (3-4 loss on aggregate to Pachuca)
TICKETING INFORMATION: Real Salt Lake season ticket holders can gain access to the game by using their "Bonus Game D" tickets, already included in their season ticket packages. Fans interested in buying tickets to the "friendly" that currently are not season ticket holders are encouraged to call 866-9-SOCCER to purchase tickets. Fans may also stop by any participating Kentucky Fried Chicken and pick up $12 ticket vouchers that may be redeemed for this game.
2006 RSL TICKET PACKAGES ON SALE: RSL 2006 ticket packages are on sale and fans can now purchase full season, half season, the "High-Five" pack and flex season 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. Fans can also purchase single-game tickets 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. Finally, fans can purchase The KFC Colonel's Corner $12 ticket voucher, the club's most affordable single-game ticket, by visiting any of the 36 KFC® restaurants in Utah.
MLS CAMPS: The Official Camp and Clinic of Major League Soccer is NOW the Official Camp & Clinic of Real Salt Lake! NEW for 2006, Fantasy Camp and focused Team Training experiences. To find out more about all of RSL's Youth Development Programs, call Scott Reynolds at (801) 924-8575 or by email at SReynolds@RealSaltLake.com. To partner with RSL to host MLS Camps in your community, call us today.
ACCESS REAL: Real fans can now receive up-to-date information on the team by signing up for the RSL Weekly Newsletter at the fans section of RealSaltLake.com.
