SALT LAKE CITY - Real Salt Lake (2-5-1, 7 pts., 4th West) continues its three game homestand this week, welcoming RSL original MF Clint Mathis and the Colorado Rapids to Rice-Eccles Stadium this Saturday (2:00 p.m. MT, live on ESPN2). RSL enters the contest looking to win a third consecutive game for the first time in franchise history and aiming to capture the opening contest of the annual "Rocky Mountain Cup," a rivalry created by the supporter clubs of Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids.
RSL continued its strong play last Saturday, coming from behind with two goals late in the second half to capture a 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Wizards, vaulting RSL into a fourth-place tie with the Los Angeles Galaxy (7 points each). The win represented RSL's second consecutive victory and was the team's first-ever against and MLS Eastern Conference foe, with three ties against the New York organization the only other East results.
RSL rookie MF Mehdi Ballouchy tallied the first goal of his professional career as he captured the game's equalizer in the 78th minute. Timing his run perfectly, Ballouchy found himself in great position in front of the goal as he slammed home a line-drive cross from RSL MF Chris Klein. RSL striker Jeff Cunningham nailed down the game winner only two minutes later as he beat Kansas City Goalkeeper Bo Oshoniyi from a near impossible angle on the right side of the box, 18 yards away from the goal. Cunningham, coming off Head Coach John Ellinger's bench for the second consecutive game, has now tallied three goals in his last 55 minutes on the field and has four total goals on the year, tied for fourth overall in MLS.
FIDDLERS ELBOW/SALT LAKE PIZZA AND PASTA TO HOST WATH PARTIES FOR USMNT "SEND OFF SERIES": Real Salt Lake invites fans from all across the Wasatch front to join RSL players, coaches, and staff at The Fiddlers Elbow/Salt Lake Pizza and Pasta (1063 East, 2100 South, Sugarhouse) for all three games of the US Men's National Team's "Send off Series." The games take place on Tuesday, May 23rd (vs. Morocco), Friday, May 26th (vs. Venezuela), and Sunday, May 28th (vs. Latvia). All games kick off at 5:00 PM and can be seen on ESPN 2. Fiddlers Elbow/Salt Lake Pizza and Pasta is the official home of all Real Salt Lake road game watch parties, as well as Real Salt Lake home game post match parties. Fiddlers Elbow is a Pub/Restaurant atmosphere where you must be 21 or over to gain entrance. Salt Lake Pizza and Pasta is a family friendly environment where kids of all ages are welcome.
JERRY SEINER / RSL COACHES SHOW ON KALL 700 AM: RSL invites fans to join RSL players, coaches and front office staff at the Jerry Seiner Salt Lake dealership's Iceberg Café located at 1530 South 500 West every Thursday for the weekly "Jerry Seiner/RSL Coaches Show" at 6:00 p.m. MT. The KALL 700 Bill Riley Show will broadcast LIVE each week at Jerry Seiner Salt Lake from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. MT, with Coach Ellinger and RSL personalities featured during the final hour. This week Bill will be joined by RSL players Danny Torres, Andy Williams and Ryan Johnson.
Each week, fans can compete against players, coaches and each other in the X-BOX FIFA 2006 Challenge. Supporters will compete to qualify to play in the Carnival Real X-BOX competition at every home game, where an X-BOX will be given away to the most outstanding player. RSL's next 2006 X-BOX FIFA Challenge will be Saturday, May 27 at Carnival Real when RSL takes on the Colorado Rapids at Rice-Eccles Stadium at 7:00 p.m. MT. Carnival Real opens at 6:00 p.m.</p>
RSL COACHES, PLAYERS, TO MAKE ROUNDS ON LOCAL SPORTS TALK RADIO: Real Salt Lake will have several team members making appearances on local radio shows this week, as the team prepares to take on Clint Mathis and the Colorado Rapids this Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium (2:00 ST, ESPN). RSL Head Coach John Ellinger will make his weekly appearance on "The Manly Morning Show with DJ and PK" on Sports Radio 1280 the Zone, Tuesday at 8:30 AM. MF Chris Klein will join Bill Riley on KALL Sports Radio 700 Tuesday at 5:30 PM, while rookie MF Mehdi Ballouchy will chat with Ryan Hatch and Dave Fox on Sports Radio 1280 the Zone, Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.
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.
REAL ELITE TRAINING PROGRAM: The Real Elite Training Program is a progressive summer training program for boys and girls ages 8-16 with previous playing experience and a strong desire to reach their maximum potential. There are a total of 18 sessions, three days a week, and two and a half hours per day. The benefits of the program include: exposure to the highest level of training; specializing in technique, tactic, fitness and teamwork; training from RSL soccer players and coaches; and two training shirts and ticket voucher to a select game. For more information, contact Teresa Nelson by phone at (801) 924-8565, by email at tnelson@RealSaltLake.com or by logging onto http://real.saltlake.mlsnet.com/MLS/rsl/player_development/.
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.
