Real Salt Lake Carries 1-0 Lead into Saturday's Game Two of West Semifinal Series at Chivas USA
After recording a 1-0 victory in its first-ever MLS Cup Playoff contest last Saturday, Real Salt Lake will look to carry that momentum into the decisive Game Two of its Western Conference Semifinal Series against Chivas USA, taking place this Saturday, November 8, at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Kick-off for Leg Two of the aggregate goals series is set for 8:30 p.m. MT, and fans will be able to follow the contest live on Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Español and RSL's official radio partners, KALL 700 Sports (RSL First Kick pre-game coverage begins at 7:00 p.m.) and "Ke Buena" 1600-AM.
Thanks to FW Yura Movsisyan's 90th minute game-winner in last weekend's first leg at Rio Tinto Stadium, the Utah side needs just a draw to advance to the Western Conference Championship, while a one-goal loss in regulation would force the "Class of '05" expansion rivals into a 30-minute mini-game, with a penalty kick shootout to follow should the series remain even after 120 minutes of play on Saturday. There's reason for optimism for the RSL faithful, as, after starting the 2008 campaign with a 1-8-1 road record, Real Salt Lake has since taken points from four of its last five away contests (1-1-3). In addition, the first of its two road triumphs in 2008 came via a gutsy 1-0 victory against the "Goats" at The Home Depot Center back on June 14.
Game Two Bus Trip Cancelled; Discounted Ticket & Lodging Deals Still Available
The Real Salt Lake Front Office regrets to inform fans that the scheduled bus trip to the Los Angeles area for Game Two of RSL's Western Conference Semifinal Series against Chivas USA has been cancelled. However, for those fans still planning on making the trip through other means, there are still ways to cut down costs through discounted ticket and lodging offers still available for RSL fans.
Fans wanting to sit with their fellow Real Salt Lake faithful in Sections 138 & 139 (Southeast corner) at The Home Depot Center this Saturday may purchase a group rate seat for just $14 by contacting the Chivas USA Front Office at 877-CHIVAS1 (877-244-8271) and mentioning the Real Salt Lake Supporters Group. In addition, the Holiday Inn - Torrance (19800 S. Vermont Ave. in Torrance) has secured a special room rate for a Saturday night stay, with RSL fans being able to reserve a room with two double beds for $101.46 (including tax). Fans interested in taking advantage of this offer are asked to contact Dorcus Lan at the Holiday Inn by calling 310-619-2534 and mention the "Real Salt Lake" group of rooms when making the reservation (fans will need to reserve their room with a credit card). For more information on the hotel, visit www.hitorranceca.com.
Lumpy's Downtown & Stadium Pizza Your Homes for Away Game Watch Parties on Saturday
If you can't make the long trek down I-15 for Real Salt Lake's road playoff debut this Saturday at The Home Depot Center, then the RSL Front Office is offering the next best thing - the chance to band together with your fellow Claret-and-Cobalt clad faithful at a pair of Official RSL Watch Parties along the Wasatch Front. As of now, two locations - Lumpy's Grill, a private club for members, in downtown Salt Lake City (145 W. Pierpont Ave.), and Stadium Pizza in Clearfield (540 E. 1700 South) - will be screening the Fox Soccer Channel broadcast of Saturday's decisive Game Two of RSL's Western Conference Semifinal Series against Chivas USA, with the fun beginning at both sites with the 8:30 p.m. MT kick-off.
The two locations will offer giveaways and pleasurable viewing experiences for RSL fans of all ages, as the newly-opened Stadium Pizza restaurant (which has had standing-room-only attendance at past RSL Watch Parties) caters to a family-friendly crowd, while only fans ages 21-and-over will have access to the Lumpy's viewing party. As it has for its previous RSL Watch Parties, Stadium Pizza will once again offer a pair of specials - unlimited topping large pizzas for $15.99 and pitchers of Budweiser products for $6 - throughout the contest to entice fans to head to the Davis County locale. Real Salt Lake hopes to offer additional Official Watch Party locations for Saturday's big match, and will provide updates on that front via the club's official blog, Behind the Shield, throughout the week.
Real Salt Lake Schedule: November 5-9, 2008
Real Salt Lake's full practice and match schedule for November 5-9, 2008, is listed below. Please note that Wednesday's session at Rio Tinto Stadium is closed to both the media and public, with media availability to follow in the Main West Lobby at approx. 12:30 p.m. Those planning on attending any session can confirm the time and location of that day's training by contacting the RSL Communications Department at 801-924-8584.
Wednesday, November 5: Training at Rio Tinto Stadium - 11:00 a.m. (closed to media & public)
Media availability to follow at Stadium at approx. 12:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 6: Training at Rio Tinto Stadium - 11:00 a.m. (closed to public);
Depart for Los Angeles<br><b>Friday, November 7:</b> Training at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. - 12:00 p.m. PT, field TBD <br><b>(closed to media until 12:45 p.m.)</b><br><b>Saturday, November 8: 2008 MLS Cup Playoffs: Real Salt Lake at Chivas USA<br>
Western Conference Semifinal Series - Game Two<br>
• The Home Depot Center - 8:30 p.m. MT kick-off
• TV: Fox Soccer Channel & Fox Sports en Español
• Radio: KALL 700 Sports (RSL First Kick at 7:00 p.m.) & Ke Buena 1600-AM
Sunday, November 9: Return to Salt Lake City; OFF DAY
USA Rugby to Host Doubleheader Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium
The first major non-soccer event at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy is just four days away, as RSL's new home will host a USA Rugby doubleheader featuring teams from New Zealand, Uruguay and the United States this Saturday, November 8. The day of rugby kicks off at 1:15 p.m. MT with the U.S. Select XV Team versus New Zealand Heartland. The main event, which will boast the United States and Uruguay National Teams, will kick off at 4:00 p.m. MT.
Tickets to the USA Rugby doubleheader are on sale and begin at $15 (end zone seating); other categories are $25 (lower sideline), $40 (VIP) and $75 (premium). Please visit www.usarugby.org/goto/usa_doubleheader for more information on the matches. For more information on Rio Tinto Stadium or for ticket information, please visit www.RioTintoStadium.com or call 801-924-8585. Media members interested in covering the event are asked to contact Sara John, USA Rugby Director of Communications, via e-mail at sjohn@usarugby.org.
FW Yura Movsisyan Named MLS Player of the Week for Leg One of MLS Cup Playoffs
Real Salt Lake forward Yura Movsisyan was voted Major League Soccer's MLS Cup Playoffs Player of the Week on Monday. Movsisyan scored the game-winning goal in the final minute of regulation in Real Salt Lake's Western Conference Semifinal match versus Chivas USA on Saturday. Movsisyan started and played the entire match, recording four shots, two of them on goal. After 90 minutes of play in the first leg of Real Salt Lake's Western Conference Semifinal series, the game seemed destined for a tie until Movsisyan crashed in toward the near post and flicked Javier Morales' low cross behind him with his heel. The ball went through the legs of Chivas defender Shavar Thomas and into the left corner of the goal, giving Real Salt Lake a 1-0 victory and an aggregate lead heading into the second leg.
This is the inaugural MLS Cup Playoffs Player of the Week honor. For Movsisyan, it marks the first time he has won a Player of the Week award, while the 21-year-old striker becomes the third RSL player to be honored with the award in 2008, joining Robbie Findley (Week 10) and Fabian Espíndola (Week 23). The Major League Soccer Player of the Week is selected each week of the MLS regular season and MLS Cup Playoffs by a panel of journalists from The North American Soccer Reporters (NASR). The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership information can be found at http://www.soccerreporters.com/.
Real Salt Lake Names 2008 Team Award Recipients
Real Salt Lake recognized the recipients of its four season-ending awards during a halftime ceremony during last Saturday's Western Conference Semifinal Series contest at Rio Tinto Stadium. Based on voting by the Real Salt Lake's technical staff and senior management, midfielder Javier Morales was recognized as the team's Most Valuable Player, while defender Nat Borchers claimed two awards - Defensive Player of the Year and Humanitarian of the Year - and forward Yura Movsisyan earned the statistically-based "Golden Boot" award by virtue of leading the team with seven goals during the 2008 regular season.
For the full press release announcing the award winners, please visit the following link:
http://real.saltlake.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20081101&content_id=201124&vkey=pr_rsl&fext=.jsp&team=t121
